Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I’m mad at Christians. Yes, as a Christian, I am angry at Christians. You know why? So many of us are not doing what we’re supposed to be doing–loving others. We’re condemning. We’re shaming. We’re getting in fights over stupid, petty theological matters. Tell me, what did Jesus do while he walked this earth? He fed people. He empathized. He showed mercy and humility, and told some sweet parables. And, if I remember correctly, the word “Christian” means “little Christ.” Yes, we’re supposed to be like little Jesus people. We should feed people and empathize and be humble. We should tell awesome parables and show mercy. That’s what we’re supposed to be doing, not thumping Bibles on people’s heads.
One of my favorite Christian songs says, “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.” Does it say “They will know we are Christians by the fact that we oppose homosexuality”? No. It does NOT say that, because that’s not how it should be.
You’d think that was the only thing Christians talk about–homosexuality, I mean. So many of us spend entirely too much time condemning others for not being heterosexual. And you know what? That’s terrible. Tell me, while Jesus was walking on this earth, did he say a single word to condemn someone for being gay? No. He didn’t. And don’t give me crap about “oh, we need to take a stand against this growing problem.” No. You know what you–what we all–should be doing? Taking a stand against hatred. Referring to someone’s sexual orientation as a “problem” is in and of itself a problem. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. You know what this means? This means that everyone has screwed up. Gay people, straight people, white people, black people, men, women, people who like owls, people who don’t like owls, Doctor Who fans, people who aren’t Doctor Who fans. Everybody.
A lot of people take 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 completely out of context. Here are the verses:
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.”
So these people go ahead and say “oh, well that means gay people can’t inherit the Kingdom of God.” Um, what about the fact that we’ve all fallen short? So yes, gay people–also straight people. Remember what I should earlier? Everybody. We’ve all stolen things, or been greedy, or hurt people, or cheated somebody. So, by that logic, nobody is going to inherit the Kingdom of God. But wait! You’ve forgotten verse 11.
“Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Don’t forget verse 11. You were cleansed and made holy. Anyone who says “gay people won’t inherit the kingdom of God” has obviously not read verse 11 and should not be taken seriously. Also, remember that good ole’ John 3:16? Whoever believes in him shall have eternal life. It doesn’t say “straight people who believe in him shall have eternal life.” It says whoever. Who can be anybody. Don’t forget the verse that follows–it states that God sent his son into the world not to judge it, but to save us all. Jesus didn’t come to condemn homosexuality. He came to rescue us–homosexuals and heterosexuals alike.
It’s sad how many gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens feel uncomfortable or even unsafe coming out to their Christian families and friends. This is what happens when we spend so much time energy condemning homosexuality. Imagine you’re a gay teen. Who do you decide to tell first–your Christian friend who openly opposes homosexuality and claims that gay people will not inherit the kingdom of God, or your atheist friend who doesn’t give a crap whether you’re attracted to guys, girls, or freaking refrigerators? I know who I’d pick. And it’s sad, because we’re supposed to be known for our love. It’s all about treating others how you would like to be treated. Friends, I can only hope that if somebody came out to you, you would be a hundred percent encouraging and supportive of them. Don’t be that person who’s remembered as the one who wasn’t supportive. We’re supposed to be witnessing to people–to do this, we love them. That’s it. I don’t care what your view is on homosexuality, you should be absolutely encouraging to your friend, daughter, brother–straight or not. Be loving. Be kind, faithful, and patient. I want my friends to know that I really don’t care who they’re attracted to–girls, guys, or refrigerators–because I’m not their friend based on who they’re attracted to. That would be a crappy reason to be friends with somebody. I’m friends with my friends because they’re awesome, amazing, and spectacular people. Them being gay would not change that.
Another reason I’m angry at many Christians is because they seem to believe that those who may have different theological views are not followers of Christ. For instance: the other day I saw someone arguing that only Protestants are really Christians, and that Catholics worship Mary.
Oh. My. Gosh.
STOP.
NO. YOU ARE WRONG.
First of all, Catholics do not worship Mary. There is a difference between veneration and worship. I may write another blog post just to explain this, but for the sake of time (it’s nearly three in the morning) I won’t right now. Second, who said only Protestants are really Christians? Provide scriptural evidence. Do it. (Actually, pretty sure Protestantism didn’t come to be until long after the Bible was written.) So, because you can’t provide scriptural evidence for your argument, it’s invalid. I’ll provide my scriptural evidence here:
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Those verses are Romans 10:9-10. That’s it. That’s how you’re saved. There is no need to complicate anything. Christians are Christians–Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox. Mormon, too.
Speaking of Mormons, a lot of people try to tell me that they’re not really saved. Um, here’s what Mormons believe.
“We, of course, accept Jesus Christ as our Leader, our King, our Savior…the dominant figure in the history of the world, the only perfect Man who ever walked the earth, the living Son of the living God. He is our Savior and our Redeemer through whose atoning sacrifice has come the opportunity of eternal life. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pray and worship in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Read Romans 10:9-10 again. Tell me again how Mormons aren’t Christians? Being saved is really that simple. It’s that simple. No strings attached. So by golly, stop attaching strings!!! In this same argument, it was said that Christians should never be friends with those who aren’t. Now, that’s just stupid. Jesus was friends with Jews and Gentiles alike. Jesus was friends with tax collectors. Hell, Jesus was pretty much friends with everyone who’d accept his friendship.
How about we all stop getting hung up on the little things? Let’s stop throwing metaphorical fire on those who swear (if I were burned every time I curse, I’d be a pile of ashes by the end of every day). Let’s stop complicating salvation and start acting like Jesus. Let’s start loving people. You know that children’s song “This Little Light of Mine”? There’s a lot of truth in that song. We need to not hide our lights under bushels. Have you ever thought that hating, condemning, and getting caught up in every theological detail is hiding your light? It is. So let’s shine our lights. Please.
They will know we are Christians by our love. That’s what we should want to be known for. That’s what we should strive for–being totally selfless. We should be that person who spends four hours on the phone with a broken friend. We should be that person who not only gives to the homeless, but makes an attempt to talk to them and treat them like human beings. We should be that person who sticks up for and befriends the kid whom everyone hates, no matter how it would hurt their social status. Love. Absolute and total earth-moving love. Love can shake. It can move and it can heal. God is love. Jesus is God. So, by the transitive property, Jesus is love. We’re supposed to be like Jesus. We’re supposed to be like love.
Believe in Jesus. Love like Jesus.
It’s that simple.
Dauntlessly Cautious 