Reading this tonight I was LIVID. I was not alone. Twitter and Facebook were full of posts, most of which were shocked and saddened. Another blogger wrote in far more eloquent words than I can, but I have to speak out as well.
Let me back track a bit first, many of you who have read me for a while have noticed some changes, though I still believe in God, I am no longer a "Christian blogger". I am not for many reasons, some personal that I am still working out, but there are others that are more obvious.
The main reason? Is that some how, a religion that was founded in LOVE has turned into hate. The public face of Christianity is no longer, people feeding the poor and spreading love, it's red faced evangelists screaming that we are all damned to hell, fighting against help for the poor, and promoting hate.
I realize that this is not all Christians and to those of you who are offended by this, I am sorry. I know that there are people who are faithful and rational, but that said I can not get past those who are not. One of the many reasons I can not find my place in religion, is that I refuse to condemn another person. It's not my job. In what I believe Christianity should be, God is the only one fit to judge our sins. And while he is judging those sins, one does not outweigh the others. Gay, does not trump hate, abortion does not trump hate, voting for a democrat does not send you a one way ticket to hell.
That brings us to Constance. The parents who threw this private prom believe they are protecting their teens from this gay student. I feel sick. Protect, my ass. Teaching hate, is NOT protection.
Why does this get me so riled up? Because not very long ago, my relationship would have received the same reaction, hell it probably still would in Mississippi. There are still people who believe that interracial relationships are an abomination against God. Gah.
As Jill so gracefully pointed out, it is up to us to teach our children to love and accept. I am not a fan of the phrase "I never", but I can promise myself and you all, I WILL NEVER, EVER allow this hateful crap to seep into my home. I will do my best to raise, open minded, accepting, loving men.
I feel so blessed to live in a diverse area. No one has ever really said squat about my marriage, I still struggle finding acceptance for my son's disabilities, but that will take time.
I think the best way to prove these
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7 comments:
I heart you. Couldn't have said it better.
agree. You can choose not believe in someone's life choices without being a total asshole about it and that's what this all comes down to these days- people being assholes in the name religion.
love you lady.
I don't have kids yet, but I know when I do I will NEVER teach them to hate another party due to who they love, race, or religion. I find it so hard to understand how these very parents teach such intolerance and claim to be christians, when Jesus himself taught compassion and acceptance of the outcasts. I am a very liberal person and I see such fear in our nation now, not from terrorists, but directed to citizens just searching- fighting - for equal rights. I believe in God and I pray, and right now I pray that our nation starts moving towards grace.
Beautifully said. Constance has more class and grace than any of the people who fight against her crusade for equality. You are so right about teaching hate. People are free to believe whatever they'd like and to take whatever stances they want, but there's no room for hate when we can choose acceptance or at least peaceful co-existence. The "protection" excuse is the most nauseating of all. When black and multi-racial families began attending my childhood church (before which the congregation had always been totally white) many caucasian parents in the church opted to leave and join other churches, siting their children's "safety" as a main reason. This was years ago but my blood still boils when I think about it. Safety had nothing to do with it. Diversity is beautiful and SO important. Love you girl. ~Susan
You are amazing. Thank you for chiming in, for adding another powerful voice to the side of reason and love and compassion. I am so sad that this had to happen, and at the same time, so glad to see the conversation and the uprising that's coming out of it, especially from parents. We will NOT allow our children to grow up in a world that is intolerant of anyone different from ourselves. Rock on, woman.
Well said. I grew up in Mississippi. My grandmother was as racist as it gets. I hated being around her. I thank God that I had a father and mother who had lived elsewhere besides the South and had learned about the world. Also I thank God I no longer live in the south.
I left the Church about 10 years ago. I still believe in God, but I don't know where in the Bible it says that God hates anyone. I don't understand the hate and violence. I probably never will. Good for you for taking a stand.
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