He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?' He answered, 'An enemy has done this.' The slaves said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he replied, 'No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.' "
Last night my partner and I watched with amazement and disbelief the documentary "Missionaries of Hate" on Current TV. You can see the trailer on You Tube. This Vangaard commentary of interviews, footage and stories tells of how American Evangelicals through the careless use of Biblical Literalism have caused an entire nation of people to hate homosexuals to the point where the majority of the population in Uganda supports a bill that if passed would imprison and/or sentence known homosexuals to death by hanging. The climate for the LGBT citizens of Uganda was already difficult, but last year a group of Evangelicals held a conference that lasted for several days. Evangelicals told the people of Uganda that adult homosexuals seek to recruit children into sexual acts that includes the eating of feces. This information has caused such a climate of misinformation about LGBT people to the point where Uganda's local news media has begun publicizing the names and faces of individuals who become known homosexuals, so that should the bill pass, these individuals would be among the first to be put in jail or hanged.
There were many parts of the documentary that were so very disturbing. There was an interview with a father who said that if his own daughter came out as a lesbian, he would prefer to support the notion of his daughter being put to death rather than love his own daughter. He claimed that he would be ashamed to consider his daughter, his daughter if she were to admit that she was a homosexual.
Not to be outdone, was a comment by Scott Lively, an American Evangelical who was part of the conference that was in Uganda last year. Scott Lively commented that while he felt that Uganda's bill was harsh, he sees Uganda's "kill the gays" bill as being a far less evil than allowing the gay agenda that has corrupted the United States and Western Civilization to deteriorate the moral fabric of Uganda.
It is situations such as this that make it very difficult for LGBT citizens here and abroad to believe that they can and should embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hope in God to find salvation. It is estimated that every five hours an LGBT teen takes their life. It is further estimated that for every LGBT teen that takes their life through suicide, there are at least 20 more who attempt to take their life. Among the reasons why, is because of religious reasons. Many LGBT individuals have been told that there is no place in this world for them and God so long as they are LGBT. No wonder so many LGBT individuals do not believe, nor do they want to believe in God or go to church.
The true sadness behind all of this information is that it is all the wrong message about LGBT individuals, that God wants us to know. I began this blog with the Gospel for today, and would like to put a new twist on it. God's good harvest includes those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered. In Psalm 139 verse 14 we are told to pray: "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works: that I know very well."
Furthermore, in the Wisdom of Solomon chapter 11: 23 to 26 we read:
"But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things and you overlook people's sins, so that they may repent. For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made, for you would not have made anything if you had hated it. How would anything have endured if you had not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved? You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord, you who love the living."
Every person, whether straight or gay, or any other nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, class, challenge, gender is created and loved by God. God has redeemed all people including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons through the blood of Jesus Christ and has empowered us with grace in the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 states that: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: every thing old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" The word anyone is an inclusive term. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons are people who have been renewed in Christ by his precious blood, as well as called and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. God's love for all of God's children does not stop at any individuals sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. God's loving mercy and blessing does not stop because two people of the same sex love each other romantically, physically and spiritually. God's loving kindness, generosity and freely giving presence does not stop because an individual sees his/her gender as being different than how they were born.
As God's beautiful individuals who are coming up out of the good soil of God's loving creation include LGBT individuals. Those who would create a Church or world by which LGBT people should experience discrimination and violence could be considered those nasty weeds planted by an enemy. When we talk about what will be gathered up and burned, it could very well mean that hate, prejudice and violence and those who perpetuate it could be included among the weeds. God's garden has many beautiful flowers and people, and there is no single individual or being that is any less important to God than anyone else.
May all Christians of good will sign the Uganda Declaration to help call Faith leaders, Governments and all people to act on behalf of the LGBT citizens of Uganda and the couple in prison in Malawi. Furthermore, I hope and pray that all Christians who have a passion for the inclusive Christian Gospel, will help correct the misinformation about homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered people that has been spread by the religious right. We have every right and reason to tell fundamentalist Christians, that spreading a message of hate across this country or anywhere else for that matter is not evangelism.
The message of hope and salvation that is truly offered by Jesus Christ and the Church is one of inclusive and unconditional love. The Faith that God calls all people to is a personal Faith that is between the individual and their God. The Church that was called by the Holy Spirit is one that loves and welcomes people of all languages, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations and/or gender identities and expressions. It is time that God's Church become the inclusive House of worship for all peoples.
Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, Forever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Sunday closest to May 25th, Book of Common Prayer, Page 229)
O merciful Father, who taught us in your holy Word that you would not willingly afflict us, look with pity upon the sorrows of the LGBT Community around the world for whom our prayers are offered. Remember us, O Lord, in mercy, nourish our souls with patience, comfort us with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon us, and give us peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for People in Trouble or Bereavement, Book of Common Prayer, Page 831).
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Unity of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, Page 818).
Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, Page 826).
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