Musical Monday: 20

Birthdays are an interesting thing for me. On the one hand I want to have them as the alternative is not so appealing at the present time.  On the other hand I hate them because it reminds me how quickly life goes and time passes.  My birthday also brings up other emotions.  I once shared this day with a friend of mine who is no longer with us as he committed suicide some years ago.  Because of that, this day is also bittersweet -- the sweetness of my life tempered by the bitterness of loss, senseless loss at that.

I've been thinking a lot about him and his life, his fears and what may have led him to this final exit.  He was gay and he was not raised in a welcoming environment - so he hid an essential part of who he was and I can only imagine that was a factor in his emotional decline.

Unless you live under a rock you know there's a lot of controversy over whether homosexuals should have the right to marry.  I have been listening to and reading these debates - even participating in a few of them - for weeks now.  Most of the strongest opponents base their Christian faith for their position.  You see, homosexuality (they say) is a sin.  I disagree.  Not only do I disagree but even IF it were true it nevertheless shines a spotlight of convoluted thinking with respect to God, faith and forgiveness.  And, oh, by the way, I am Christian.  I love Jesus with all my heart.  It's just that his followers tend to make me shy away from proclaiming myself for fear of being lumped in as being "one of them."  I dedicate this Musical Monday to them.

The bottom line is this. If homosexuality is a sin (and I don't believe that it is) how do Christians condemn with their words and judge in their hearts an individual by their inherent nature and then overlook these facts:  The Ten Commandments are broken DAILY by Christians.  Things they can control - adultery, lying, cheating, stealing, coveting, disrespecting their parents. How many Christians have sex before marriage, have children out of wedlock?  Take the Lord's name in vain?  How many Christians judge?  That's right.  We are ALL sinners and we are saved by grace but yet grace is not extended an entire group of people.  You stand out there with your placards decreeing that they are sinners, doomed to hell and that they should repent.  That, to me, is like saying I can no longer have brown eyes. 

If you want to show Christ's love ... show love and let God do the rest.  Live by example.  Be kind.  I am not ashamed to be a follower of Christ. I love Jesus.  I am ashamed of those who proclaim themselves to be Christian but show aggression, intolerance, hatred, fear, loathing and judgment. They SAY they are "protecting the Word" but I seem to believe the Word of the New Covenent to be about LOVE and NO judgment. "Judge not lest thee be judged."  Love above all else. 

I am a Christian and I am an American and I recognize and appreciate the separation of church and state.  Homosexuals are tax-paying citizens and should have the rights afforded to them as we all do. There was a time when people thought black people should not share a fountain.  There was a time when people thought women shouldn't vote.  There was also a time when the Church felt that women could not preach.  They were all wrong and they are wrong now.

This song may not make sense to you as it is widely regarded as an aggressive song about frustrated love and pain but for me when I sing it I think of the Body of Christ - - his followers who cause me to run from not my faith (they will never hold that power) but from my comfort level with aligning myself with the name "Christian."  Their righteousness is arrogance.  Their homophobia is something I abhor.  So I ask them "is someone getting the best of you" because the people who need Christ most are running from Him, because of you.  How will you answer your maker when he asks you "where was the love?"

Best of You.

Comments

[Renee]

Hey Laura...just catching up on some blogs and came across your post and I think it's great. I hate when people proclaim to be these wonderful christians and they continue to judge and judge...it's wrong and not our place to be the judge. I believe we need to love one another and let God work out the rest.

Well said.

[wendyharp]

Well said and I agree. Check out ExpandingtheAlberstons.blogspot.com - she has some posts on exactly the same thing. In case I don't get a chance to check in, Happy Birthday. I'm still hoping to make it back to Atlanta soon and look forward to catching up.

[Jan Stricklin]

Love what you have to say. It always amazes/amuses me when people use the Bible to say what they want it to say. And it always seems to point at some other person's failings. Yet they never seem to see their own short comings and never seem to get the 'forgiveness' part or the 'don't judge' part. Your friend would be so proud of you.

Jan

[Theresa]

You know I agree with you. ;) Your friend is smiling down on you for remembering him and his beauty. He was truly a child of God...homosexual and all! :)

Theresa

[Maribeth]

I totally agree with Lori and your Mom! Well done, my friend!

[Lori]

I love nothing more than a woman who is not afraid to be passionate and speak about her passion. Speak about it when it's controversial. You put your neck out there and that my friend is fearless. So proud of you and your passion. And so sad that your friend felt so alone.

xoxo Lor

[Martha Farruggio (Mom)]

I have never been more proud of you !!! I wish your words could reach the people who need to hear them !!!

I love you,

Mom