"Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion... or you shall learn nothing."
Thomas Huxley
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Dear God, Are You Gay?
Hi, God. How are you? I hope you are well. (Just kidding! Of course you're well!) I'm sure trusting that you have a sense of humor like I think you do. Just looking at some of the creatures you made down here makes me pretty sure you like to laugh!
You know, I should mention that it's really hard to always remember to capitalize every title and pronoun that describes you, so I hope you won't take it personally if I skip that whole idea for this letter. It just seems that writing you should be a more relaxed exercise, and not such a difficult job! Kind of like living for you should be.
Anyway, here's what's on my mind today: Sometimes I wonder whether you might be at least partly gay yourself. I say this for a couple of reasons.
First, you seem to have created a certain percentage of us to have this same-sex attraction naturally. Not only people, but animals as well. I'm sure you know that homosexual behavior is common in nature and has been observed by man among 1,500 animal species and well documented in 500. And the fact that you equipped both sexes - and not just the females - with orifices that fit the male sexual organ tells me that you were facilitating more than procreation when you designed us.
You know, I should mention that it's really hard to always remember to capitalize every title and pronoun that describes you, so I hope you won't take it personally if I skip that whole idea for this letter. It just seems that writing you should be a more relaxed exercise, and not such a difficult job! Kind of like living for you should be.
Anyway, here's what's on my mind today: Sometimes I wonder whether you might be at least partly gay yourself. I say this for a couple of reasons.
First, you seem to have created a certain percentage of us to have this same-sex attraction naturally. Not only people, but animals as well. I'm sure you know that homosexual behavior is common in nature and has been observed by man among 1,500 animal species and well documented in 500. And the fact that you equipped both sexes - and not just the females - with orifices that fit the male sexual organ tells me that you were facilitating more than procreation when you designed us.
Another reason that I wonder about "gay" being part of who you are, is the nature of many of those down here who are anti-gay. Whenever the subject comes up, their peace often goes out the window and they get upset and downright hateful. Their speech and actions strike me as being the opposite of what you are: "loving" and "accepting." At least that's how I see you.
Above all, I suppose I wonder whether part of you might be gay because, like all other humans, I tend to see myself in you. I think you're probably a lot like me, and I'm gay, so the logic follows. Of course, you know that we all tend to "create you in our own image." In my experience, many conservative evangelicals see you as an uptight, stern, vengeful deity, which I think is actually more a reflection of them than you. To them, "God's justice" demands judgment and resistance against homosexuality. To me, "God's justice" means all of your children should be treated equally and with honor, regardless of who they love. Our standard should not be HOW we love, but WHETHER we love! So God, please help me to be understanding and patient, just like you. Help me choose to be kind, accepting, forgiving and loving, and know that these traits all come from you, father! Others can serve a harsh God in a harsh manner if they want. I'd rather not, and I believe you'd rather not be viewed as harsh, as well!
I also want to say how thankful I am that, while you were here on earth as Jesus, you never condemned homosexuality. Of course, you did preach against many bad things like hatred, pride and hypocrisy. I'm not sure how you feel about so many of your followers today claiming that, "God hates homosexuality, so I hate it too." I imagine you've got to be pretty ticked off at Fred Phelps and his followers. I can't imagine anyone more full of hatred than those folks. Still, I hope you'll have mercy on them, and help them to overcome whatever is inside them that makes them project hatred onto you that way.
You know, I feel bad how men have portrayed you in parts of the Bible. Through the years, they've put an awful lot of evil words in your mouth, and attributed you with a number of unjust acts. I have to confess that I don't understand why you let them do this. Your silence today, amidst the clamor of mankind's dissonant voices, sincerely puzzles me. I'm just being honest, God.
Anyway - back to the subject - I suppose it doesn't really matter whether you're partly gay, God. I know that you love and accept me anyway, just as I am. We don't have to be just alike for you to do that. Just like my straight friends and family love me unconditionally, even though I'm different than them. By the way, thank you for them, God. I don't ever want to take them for granted! It would be really great if you could help them all come to accept who I am, as I have grown to. I know it's really hard for some of them, but I still have hope. And I suspect that you do too!
Well, I suppose I've said enough for now. Take care, and I'll be talking to you soon!
Above all, I suppose I wonder whether part of you might be gay because, like all other humans, I tend to see myself in you. I think you're probably a lot like me, and I'm gay, so the logic follows. Of course, you know that we all tend to "create you in our own image." In my experience, many conservative evangelicals see you as an uptight, stern, vengeful deity, which I think is actually more a reflection of them than you. To them, "God's justice" demands judgment and resistance against homosexuality. To me, "God's justice" means all of your children should be treated equally and with honor, regardless of who they love. Our standard should not be HOW we love, but WHETHER we love! So God, please help me to be understanding and patient, just like you. Help me choose to be kind, accepting, forgiving and loving, and know that these traits all come from you, father! Others can serve a harsh God in a harsh manner if they want. I'd rather not, and I believe you'd rather not be viewed as harsh, as well!
I also want to say how thankful I am that, while you were here on earth as Jesus, you never condemned homosexuality. Of course, you did preach against many bad things like hatred, pride and hypocrisy. I'm not sure how you feel about so many of your followers today claiming that, "God hates homosexuality, so I hate it too." I imagine you've got to be pretty ticked off at Fred Phelps and his followers. I can't imagine anyone more full of hatred than those folks. Still, I hope you'll have mercy on them, and help them to overcome whatever is inside them that makes them project hatred onto you that way.
You know, I feel bad how men have portrayed you in parts of the Bible. Through the years, they've put an awful lot of evil words in your mouth, and attributed you with a number of unjust acts. I have to confess that I don't understand why you let them do this. Your silence today, amidst the clamor of mankind's dissonant voices, sincerely puzzles me. I'm just being honest, God.
Anyway - back to the subject - I suppose it doesn't really matter whether you're partly gay, God. I know that you love and accept me anyway, just as I am. We don't have to be just alike for you to do that. Just like my straight friends and family love me unconditionally, even though I'm different than them. By the way, thank you for them, God. I don't ever want to take them for granted! It would be really great if you could help them all come to accept who I am, as I have grown to. I know it's really hard for some of them, but I still have hope. And I suspect that you do too!
Well, I suppose I've said enough for now. Take care, and I'll be talking to you soon!
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