Musings (humor's day off)

Last night I saw episode of 30 Days on FX (catch a rerun if you can) about a straight man living with a gay roommate for a month. It did much to dispell some of this man's preconceived notions about the gay community, but it also raised some interesting questions about the straight community, and that of the church's position and views (some churches, anyway) regarding homosexuality. The show really made me think about some things. That was always one of the toughest things about "the church" for me to deal with--the sometimes violent reaction that homesexuality provokes in it. When those people were standing there with their sandwich board signs "God hates fags" and things of that nature, it made me feel sad more than anything else. For goodness' sake, there was even a small child wearing a sign! That just isn't right, not to me. These people spent a lot of time citing the various scriptures that refer to homosexuality as proof that God does indeed "hate" gays. I disagree. I believe God hates the devil, and the sin that he "inspires" in God's people, but God does not hate his children. These men and women say they take the bible literally. OK. Fine. Take it literally. It's true. But if it is, then where do they get the idea that it's OK to hate someone because of who they sleep with (or who they don't)? I believe the bible is just really one long love story--about God loving his creations, all of them. He loved us when he made us, through our sin, in spite of our sin, and he will continue to do so even if we never repent, even if we never come to know Him and never realize that He loves US, he still will. I think of John 3:16. Romans 8:38-39. Nowhere does the either the bible or God say to hate a person because of the person's sexuality or any other reason (that I know of). Do I believe that homosexuality is a sin? Yes, because I believe the bible is true. But I don't hate gays, or really their sin, either, to tell you the truth. It isn't for me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to hate anyone. I know a lot of people think that a person chooses to be gay--that it's a preference. I'm not so sure I agree with that. Why would anyone choose to be hated, or persecuted? But with that said, all I can really do is pray for them. The thing is, the gay people I've known in my life have all been pretty much cool, and in the case of a girl I work with, someone I like very much. Someone I could (and plan to) be friends with. I knew a gay man named Michael, who was another story because he embodied all the stereotypes people cite when they talk about gays; he was very promiscuous, he used drugs, he was flaboyant (though not particularly stylish. He could dance, though). But even he was pretty cool. The thing I have noticed about gays and lesbians is that they seem far more accepting of people as they are, and not who they think they should be. And the support they offer one another within their community is extraordinary. Maybe we could all learn a thing or two about that. Maybe it comes from having to draw together as a group, and accept each other when no one else will accept you. I don't know. Anyway, it's a tough issue, and one that I probably won't figure out anytime soon. I guess for now, I'll just have to accept that gay people are going to be gay whether I or anyone else wants them to be. I'll continue to think their lifestyle is a sin, because I believe the bible is fundamentally true, and that's what it tells me. Romans uses the term "unnatural lust" to describe it. But I will not hate homosexuals because of their lifestyle. I will do my best to love them as people, to accept them as people like I would accept anyone else. I'm not going to be condemning anyone because of their sexual proclivities as consenting adults. It's for God to condemn, not me.