Christianity

I’m not a religious person. But I do live in the bible belt and deal with my fair share of overzealous religious peers and members of my community. Did I also mention that I’m gay? This tends to lead to a bit of disagreement among the religious crowd; not all, but some.

Being that I did spend a large part of my growing up years in the bible belt, it took me some time to come to terms and come out with my sexuality. When I did so it was so nerve-wrecking that I really did only think about the consequences that this would have on my life. At the time it was so much, but I look back and feel so much free-er now.

Unfortunately for those close to me, I did not consider how my coming out would affect my family and friends who I both love and respect. Today was the first day I had to come to term with those consequences. One of my loved ones recently lost a friend in a rather long and drawn out falling out. While there are many more reasons behind the falling out than just me, one of the problems was that this friend was unable to accept me being gay, and my connection to their friend.

While I received this news today, all I could really think about was “that really sucks and sounds totally idiotic” but the more I thought about it, the more it hurt me. Someone who had not only watched me grow up, but was always so nice to me, and someone I had always been so nice to - couldn’t accept me because of a part of WHO I AM. And because of their insufferable intolerance and inability to look past the ONE part of me they didn’t like, this affected their friendship with someone I love. If they didn’t want to see me, talk to me, be nice to me, be friends with me anymore - I would have been ok, I’ve come to terms with the fact that some people don’t like gay people. But this was one step too far.

The only reasons I have ever heard for people not liking gay people are religious, or homophobic. To all of you who are religious - especially those who are Christians - please read the following VERY closely. If your religion condones such a hatred of someone because of a facet of who they are, whether it be their choice or not to be that way, that you disown them as a friend - is that a religion worth having? If your religion says that something is a sin, does that mean that you have any right to judge that person? To value them any less, because they do that one sin? I am TIRED of seeing good people mistreated because they are of a different religion, or philosophical viewpoint, or they don’t go to the same church, or they drink, or do drugs, or laugh at bad jokes, or ANYTHING! WHY DO YOU HAVE RELIGION?!?!?! if all you’re going to do with it is be cruel and heartless to certain people? and be nice to others…

If your religion is supposed to grant you an afterlife for doing good, how can you ever hope to reach it if you have malice in your heart? If your religion has the most moral guidelines - how can you deem any good-hearted and kind person bad or immoral? “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” I don’t read the Bible but even I know that quote. How come I hear others so often, but not this one? How can you - who sin in FAR more ways than just one, condemn someone for their religion, their morals, their beliefs, or their sexuality - something that they CANNOT control.

If you’re religious and you judge these people, all I have to say to you is, how dare you? If you’re a Christian - I have news for you - you’re not. And if you have made it through to this point and are trying to think of some argument against me - don’t bother. Because honestly - it isn’t a matter of right or wrong. The way I see it - this just makes sense, it’s morally right. It might go against what you believe, but I ask you to take what I have said with a grain of salt, and just for once - question that which you believe to make sure you’re following it right. Because no one should have to suffer the loss of their best friend because someone they cherish is gay. No one should have to feel loss or pain or fear because of your morals and your beliefs. No one should have to cry or question the sanctity of their own life because of your religion.

No one.