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| Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing Blog Writer |
A few weeks ago somebody on Facebook posted a link to a blog called "I'm Christian, Unless You're Gay". At first I thought, what the hell is this? But I took the time to click on the link and read the blog. I'm so glad that I did. Dan wrote this post after finding out that a friend of his, who happens to be gay, felt like he was alone in the world - because he was gay. He felt friendless and hated. People in their community had turned their backs on him because he was gay; turned away from him under the premise that their religion abhorred who he was because of his sexual orientation. Dan's post talked about how many people say they're Christian and uphold all sorts of Christian-like values, unless a person is gay. That's not very Christ-like. It's wrong and hurtful. Read his post here
This blog post has received so much traffic and response. Some of the responses have been incredible and some have been disgusting. Dan posted many of the responses to share with his readers. Read those here:
I wouldn't ever be able to accurately describe the reactions people had to his post, so I won't even try. I tear up often when reading them. And the response make me realize how wonderful the people in my life are. My sister and one of my aunts are gay. It doesn't change at all who they are to me or what kind of relationship I have with them. Nobody in my family or any of my closest friends have "disowned" them because they are gay. It makes no difference to any of us.
We grew up Catholic. Though some of us (my sister and I) are not really religious anymore, lots of my family members and friends are still active in the Catholic church. And I know that the Catholic church doesn't really approve of homosexuality. I don't know exactly what it's stance is because I chose not to be religious and don't really go to church anymore. But those family members who do still go church don't let it's beliefs on homosexuality change how they feel about my sister or my aunt. I'm so thankful for that. I'm so thankful that my sister has never felt this kind of hatred from people who once said they loved her. I'm so thankful that when she came out, she didn't lose the people she loves. I'm so thankful that just because she is gay, it didn't change her in our eyes. I'd bet she's thankful for all of this, too.
A while ago I posted a review of Jodi Picoult's book "Sing Me Home". I quoted one of my favorite lines from the book, which I've posted again here:
"Jesus didn't make exceptions, Max. He didn't say we're supposed to love ninety-eight percent of our neighbors...but hate the ones who play their music too loud or who always drive over our lawn or who vote for Ralph Nader or who get tattooed from head to toe. There may be days I don't really want to love the guy whose dog ate the heads off my day lilies, but Jesus says I don't have a choice. It's not love if there are conditions."
I think it totally applies to this post, too. I've linked to Dan's post because I think it is so powerful. I want more people to read it. I want it to affect people. I want people to realize hate is wrong. Especially under the guise of religion.
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