Tearing down the fence.

I don’t know if anyone is going to consistently read what I must say but in recent months, as things occur, my first thought is that I want to write about it.  I want to get my thoughts on paper before they’re gone or I’m interrupted with something about stickers or knitting or swings.

My last message included what I hope to do about race relations in my country and around the world and how I’m just barely scratching the surface on my knowledge of what is really going on now and has been for hundreds of years.

This however has brought me to think about Pride month and our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.  Their marches and parades have been cancelled due to Covid.  Their voices were already being silenced and the year 2020 has silenced them even more.

Before you attack me with the idea that the oppression isn’t the same and the violence isn’t the same etc. I know, I get it.  What is being fought for by the BLM advocates and people around the world absolutely needs to be heard and I have written about my role in it and will continue to.  But does that mean we can’t advocate for the LGBTQ community at the same time?  Why does it have to be either/or?   

But Mike, what we’ve been doing to the black community has been happening for 400 years…this is just new and trendy, you can’t compare the two.  What if I told you that we’ve been criminalizing the LGBTQ community for just as long?  What if I told you that “the first known case of homosexual activity receiving a death sentence in North America occurred in 1566, when the Spanish executed a Frenchman in Florida¹”

Our LGBTQ brothers and sisters are oppressed every day.  Where I see a difference is that it is socially acceptable to do it to this community.  In the politest groups and even the most professional of atmospheres it is accepted.  I hear whispers about people now and look back to flat out bullying of others back in grade school.  There are many neighbourhoods where two gay men can not walk hand in hand for fear of violence.  There are many situations where people have been blocked from jobs for fear that other’s may catch the gay. 

Many of our own churches, the place where we should feel the safest of anywhere in the world, have seemingly drawn a dividing line.  Some will call it an abomination, others will say all are welcome, just don’t advertise it.  Others will let people serve only in some capacities. 

They will cite the bible and the 6 verses out of over 31,000 that give some indication against homosexuality.  At the same time, they will tell us that the verses about slavery and sacrificing your children don’t apply any more because the world has changed.  Somehow though, the world has not changed on this one thing that is held on to so dearly; why?

Why is the church afraid of the LGBTQ community?  What will happen if they embrace this community with the Love that Jesus showed for all?  Will the whole building burst in to flames?  Will all the children in the congregation become gay?  What is the issue?

We apparently must pick one side of the fence or the other when it comes to this and I have to wonder, why is there a fence in the first place.  There is no quick fix to this issue and obviously more discussion is needed but I will venture away somewhat from the inquisitive open-ended nature of my posts to make a statement here. 

In a world of Fully Affirming vs. Not-Affirming in the Church, I honestly feel that not taking a position, is taking a position, we just don’t want to admit it.

Much love to all of those fighting for equality be they women, Black, Latino, Asian, LGBTQ, Indigenous or any other group that has been put down for the advancement of others. 

 

1.        https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/history

    

    Additional Reading & Listening:

    https://bobbyberk.com/pride-began-with-a-protest-how-gay-rights-are-connected-to-black-lives-matter/

    https://www.whatifproject.net/podcast

    https://www.canisaythisatchurch.com/

    http://www.brandanrobertson.com/#about-section