I would like to begin by saying that I am an openly gay Christian.
*cue gasps and hushed whispers*.
Some of you will argue that a 'gay Christian' doesn't exist on the basis of the Bible. Some of you will think it's wonderful. Some of you won't give a damn either way.
I've never spoken about religion publicly on my blog, because I consider spirituality a personal choice that doesn't need to be declared every moment of the day. That being said, I'm very vocal about my beliefs with my close friends. I believe in Jesus, I consider myself a Son of God, and I also believe that I was created as a homosexual male.
So - why the sudden Jesus rant?
Well, I grew up in Hillsong Church *cue second gasp and hushed whispers*. I was an active member of the congregation for many years from a very young age, and many of my family and friends still are. I have a very...colorful...history with Hillsong, most of which will never see the light of day, as I was raised to believe that dirty laundry does not need to be aired in public. I still hold huge respect in my heart for the Church, and am happy to say that the congregation largely some of the most enlightened and incredible people I've ever met in my 24 years.
However, last night I was forwarded the email pictured below:
One day, future generations will view the gay marriage debate with the same disdain that my generation views black and white segregation of the past - one collection of people fighting to remove the basic rights of another, based on a small detail. Then, it was the color of ones skin. Now, it's ones sexuality. Our children will be both confused and ashamed about how straight society fought so hard to discriminate against gay civil unions in the same way that I could never understand an African American not being allowed to sit on the same bus as me.
I am in no way a perfect, model citizen, nor are most of my friends (gay or straight). But one day I hope to settle down, and start a family, and the fact that my partner and I would not share the same rights as a heterosexual couple is ridiculous. Kim Kardashian is permitted a sham marriage of 72 days, but two gay men who have been together for over a decade are not permitted to enter into a committed union recognised by the Australian government.
In conclusion, I'm not asking you to agree with the concept of gay marriage. You can debate it in your own circles. You can even hate it if you like. But I should have the right to choose, exactly as a heterosexual man does.
The reason that this email angered me so was that this is a group of supposedly compassionate, loving people, being urged by their leaders to remove the rights of a minority group. I find it astounding that within the 'Church' there is still judgement and condemnation within its own walls against its own people.
Fighting to oppress the right to declare a love for lifetime? Fighting against two souls committing to each other forever?
That my friends, is not love. That is not compassion. That is not the God that I know.
That my friends, is not love. That is not compassion. That is not the God that I know.
This is interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteBeing apart of Church for a while i've learnt my pastors are not perfect, they make mistakes, and i'm not going to agree with everything they say. There's no such thing as a perfect Church, only a perfect God. I choose to Love my Church (and other Churches) like I should love people, imperfections and all. I don't have an opinion on gay marriage, all I know is to Love God and Love people.
What I find interesting about the Church´s stance is that Jesus befriended prostitutes. Never did he condemn them or attack them or lobby the government about anything to do with Sex or Homosexuals or anything like that. He commanded us to DO unto others as we would have them do unto us. He commanded us to Love our Neighbour. Now unless these pastors would actually like people Banning them from marrying their partners because Their religion doesnt like it - then they are breaking an actual commandment Jesus gave on an ASSUMPTION thats not based on Jesus´s behavior. In fact the people Jesus Didn´t like were those WHO JUDGED OTHERS. Indeed that was another command he gave. So whether or not you think its a sin or not, the point is JESUS would have sat down with the Homosexuals and washed their feet. Those condemning Gay marriage - he would have chased out of the temple. There is no doubt about that. That exactly what he told us to do. Leave the Judgement to God. WE can trust him to do that. Our job is to help our fellow man. Not to raise up hate (and in doing so - to break the explicit commandments Jesus Gave to keep a commandment HE DIDNT give).
ReplyDeleteMarriage is not a Christian invention, and Christians and others have no right to make and enforce rules on it. Your church has every right though to be offended by gay marriage and voice their opinion. It says very clearly in the bible (old and new testament) that homosexuals deserve death, like adulterers and murderers (along with many other inaccuracies).
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, you are supporting their hatred by being part of their congregation.
The actual email simply says " many of you would have your own convictions about this (the definition of marriage)" and then repeats a request made by The Australian Christian Lobby, probably to many churches all over Australia. The email you had forwarded to you is making people in one particular church aware that they can be involved in the issue if they wish to be, but allows for "your own convictions".
ReplyDeleteThe gay marriage issue is a hot topic, particularly now, because of the political decision to allow a conscience vote over it and some Christians will choose to support The Australian Christian Lobby and others won't. The church isn't dictating people's ideas, although most denominations have official documents stating their policies and beliefs, if people want to check.
One of your commentors suggested that marriage is not a Christian-instigated institution, and I guess the inference is that the churches shouldn't get involved. But I would argue that it is instigated by Jewish creation stories, and supported by Jewish law, and principles throughout the Old Testament, all later infused into the Christian bible. If churches feel that sex belongs solely to a monagomous marriage covenant, that this covenant is instigated by God and has spiritual significance, then obviously they will get involved in discussions on defining marriage. It IS their business as they don't want to see the special uniqueness of marriage eroded and, since the marriages in the Bible were male/female and for producing children, many see gay marriage as an erosion of Bible standards, just as many saw "No fault divorce" an erosion of Bible standards.
I hope that churches everywhere are places where Christians can love people as Jesus did, show compassion and accept everyone regardless of who they are or what they believe. Gays have the right to expect that, just like anyone else. Christians aren't perfect and of course we get it wrong in loving and accepting some of the time, but we try. However accepting people isn't taking on their beliefs and values, its just allowing them to have theirs and me to have mine, and loving regardless because Jesus is the focus and we want to act like Him. You can expect to find acceptance and belonging in church, but you can't expect to change their theology when you come in.....that's why different people choose different churches I guess.
I realise that many homosexuals feel that being homosexual is a part of their identity - and many Christians say that they accept the person but not the actions: creating a stalemate. But when any of us come into a church community, we join together around Jesus Christ and what He did for us......that is the focus. So I guess that means that, for homosexuals who see their priority as being "In Christ", church is a place of belonging; for those who see their priority as being "Homosexual", church is a place of controversy and lack of acceptance.
There is plenty of room for everyone to come into church and be loved. I guess what you get out of coming to church and from relating to Christians, depends on what you are looking for.
amarthris ... Jesus told the prostitute "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more." So He was calling sex without marriage sin, but still forgave her.
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