http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmbdWK6338
True, Rep. Walsh is a mom who loves her daughter
unconditionally. Let’s put that aside for the moment. Is there really any credence to this whole
gay-marriage debate?
You betcha! This goes far beyond the heart-wrenching denial
of two people being able to share the deep, abiding love and bond that Rep.
Walsh speaks of. This is about inalienable human rights … basic human rights
that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke about to the UN general assembly
in Geneva 2 months ago. I freely admit that I have not seen eye to eye with
Sec. Clinton on numerous matters. But in this matter she was right on target!
This is walking in the footsteps of Christ and looking out for the “least of
these”(Mt. 25:40).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudnsExyV78
Why should Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender (LGBT) persons
be treated as second class citizens anywhere in the world? And shouldn’t the
U.S. be leading the charge for equality? Are LGBT persons really so different
from everyone else? No. God created humanity with incredible diversity of race,
color, height, weight, and yes - sexual orientation. Why should anyone be
denied the right to carry a spouse on a healthcare policy? LGBT persons can’t
in many states. Why should spouses be denied the opportunity to file jointly on
their tax returns? LGBT persons can’t. Why should a surviving spouse have to
pay federal taxes on death benefits or worse yet lose a jointly owned home due
to no legal rights of survivorship? That’s the case for LGBT persons. Why are
LGBT persons treated like second-class citizens, when they produce fabulous,
upright, God-fearing, faithful, law-abiding children like Zach?
There are those who claim ‘biblical authority’ in condemning
LGBT persons … for their ‘sinful’ lifestyle. How are honesty, integrity, a
sound work ethic, love of God and country, going to church, holding a job,
owning a home, paying taxes and raising a family sinful? If those are sins,
then we would have to condemn most Americans. These core values are precisely
why JC Penny hired Ellen Degeneres as their spokesperson. Pulling passages of
scripture out of context to condemn or oppress any group of people is the true
sin! What about the rest of the biblical “edicts” and holiness codes found in
the bible? How many ‘normal’ people today wear garments of different kinds of
cloth? Should we stone them? How dare anyone, especially any Christian, demoralize
any person with some quote from scripture? Would Jesus do that? Not on your
life. We should read biblical passages in context and apply them to our own
lives. The bible should not be used as a harmful weapon under any
circumstances. “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.” (Mt 7:5)
What is the old song? “They will know we are Christians by
our love”. Will they? Would Jesus really condone the kind of inhumane,
oppressive, sometimes violent behavior against LGBT persons that exists today?
No, he wouldn’t. How is such inequality showing love of God and love of
neighbor? Nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus condemn same-sex relationships.
It’s simply not there. And its absence speaks volumes.
Before blanketly
condemning “homosexuality”, look around. Is there someone you know, respect and
care about deeply that may not be ‘out of the closet yet’? Perhaps it’s one of
their kids or grandkids that you helped raise. Are they really ‘criminals’? How
is it a crime for committing oneself to a loving, lifelong relationship? Would
you go to prison for being in love with your spouse? I would. I would give my
life for the one I love. For LGBT persons prison, abuses and death are
possibilities; for ‘straight’ folks they’re not. How is that fair or just?
I agree with your points, and I like the use of videos in blog entries. I use them myself! But so many videos (in my opinion) interrupt the flow of your writing - and distract the reader. Could you choose one or two videos to embed (rather than inserting links), perhaps at the beginning and/or end of your post? (BTW, as a minor point: Zach Walls is a Unitarian Universalist, and he is free to not believe in God. He is definitely faithful, but may not be "god fearing" in the way you mean...)
ReplyDeleteCould you point readers in the direction of campaigns that involve people of faith in supporting marriage equality? Do you know of any national efforts out there?
ReplyDelete