Dear Church
People,
I am a
Christian male that was raised in a religious home. My father was a pastor. I
was taught to love and serve the Lord. I have done this all my life. My
relationship with God has never been stronger. I am more thankful than ever for
the salvation that I have through Jesus Christ. I know what repentance and
forgiveness are.
I am also a
homosexual that has had a difficult journey in life. I have tried many times to
deny my acceptance of my sexual orientation. Many nights have ended with
tear-stained pillows as I have pleaded with God to release me from the pain I have
experienced through this. My heavenly Father has remained faithful through all
of this. He has continued to let me know each and every day how much He loves
me.
I also believe
that it is God’s plan for all of us to be loved. Homosexuality is not a choice.
It is an orientation. It is no different than eye-color, or being right-handed
or left-handed. My sexuality is a gift from God and I believe that He intends
for me to rejoice in the love of another in a lifelong, monogamous
relationship.
The Bible needs to be read in the context in
which it was written. Biblical scholars have determined that St. Paul’s
references to homosexuality has to do with the sale of young men for the
purposes of prostitution in the temple, and has nothing to do with same sex
relationships as we know them today. We cannot use the Bible as a weapon to
propagate our own political or social views. Jesus never said anything about
homosexuality. He did however admonish us to love one another.
Be aware that
being a homosexual can be lonely at times. People can inflict lots of pain with
their narrow-minded opinions of homosexuality. Your comments can do more harm
than good to the Christian church. The world hears your message and the church
and Christians are seen as being judgmental and intolerant of others. This is
not the message Jesus came to bring. His message of forgiveness, acceptance,
and grace is what should be demonstrated to the world. I am trying to do my
best with the gifts God has given me. I don’t need fellow-Christians condemning
me for something that is as natural to me as breathing.
A Brother in
Christ
“Tell me: When God looks at a
gay person, does He endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject
and condemn this person? We must always consider the person.” (Pope
Francis)[i]
[i] Adapted from: “Letter from a Gay Christian” by RfA
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