A lesson finally learned...

(Note: The following is an issue I've struggled with for a long time. It's been on my heart since becoming Christian five years ago. It's been the focus of several conversations with family, friends, classmates, students, and others. It came back up during this summer's vacation and afterward when the Chic-Fil-A brouhaha started. This morning a teenager at my church spoke the words that cleared up the murk. Everything made sense, and I now have the words to explain my stance.)

Love thy neighbor... (Leviticus 19:18)
Love the least of these... (Matthew 25:40)
The world will know you (as Christian) by the love you give/show... (John 13:35)
Do unto others as you'd have done unto you...(Matthew 7:12) (AKA: The Golden Rule)

To those who are using/ understanding Christian to be a blanket term for hatred and ignorance, I challenge you to practice what you preach -- tolerance. No one is perfect, even Christians. The best way to stop hatred in its tracks is to show love brightly and strongly...not to throw anger back at it.

          You are upset that people/companies support groups who believe in things you don't. You

          make posts on social network sites expressing your anger and hatred for such actions. To 

          my eyes, you are showing just as much bigotry, hatred, and intolerance as you are "fighting"

          against. Perhaps, instead of being angry and boycotting a restaurant you should buy large

          amounts of their food, and then use it to feed the hungry...show the company that good can  

          come directly from their company...that they don't have to support hate groups.

This lesson also applies to Christians.  If you've read the bible at all, you know we are taught to love thy neighbor, judge not - lest ye be judged, and show God's love. Denying and/or trying to diminish the right's of others, as well as supporting groups that condemn others (whether under the name of God/Jesus or not) is blatantly ignoring these teachings (from the Old Testament as well as New). 

           As a Christian, and even before that, I know it is not my place to judge others. Homosexual 

           or heterosexual, rich or poor, whatever race you claim...we are all sinners. The only thing I 

          can do to/for you is to love you. I can accept you. I can support you. I can show you my 

          love and God's love. I can know that your sin is between you and God and I have no part

          in that, ultimately. Therefore, I will continue supporting gay rights. I will treasure my

          friends and family whose lives differ from my own. The rainbow makes this world a 

          beautiful place.

(Tangent: Yes, I know homosexuality is listed as a sin in various parts of the bible. There are also lots of places that are against heterosexuality....both expressly outside of marriage. An easy, simple, and no where written as going against the word of God solution is marriage. It works to erase the sins of heterosexuals. I see no reason why it shouldn't be the solution for homosexuals. Now the only thing standing in the way is the world (laws of man). To my eyes, this makes accepting gay / lesbian marriages all the more important. )

Remembering Matthew

I've known for weeks this day was coming up. Messages in emails, on Facebook, through texts....messages of love and rememberance for those still alive...those who lived through it.

I only met Matthew Shepard twice. Both times were quick greetings as we rushed to various classes or clubs. I remember thinking, at the time, that sooner or later I'd find out more about him. We had several friends in common. Then the world changed.

News came in that a UW student had been found beaten in a pasture....then it became known that it was someone we knew. For the first time ever I saw my friends, a very out-going, community centered, activist group of people hold their breath. What could be done? What was going to happen? Would our little pocket of individuality and safety chisled out in the corner of Wyoming be destroyed? Why would someone do this?

When the news broke that Matthew was gay the air seemed to change. Vigils were held at the hospital, praying for healing. Several groups on campus took up arms...and armbands to show support for Matthew, his parents, and the community. My mother was calling me daily for reports on my best friend's (and others she'd met) welfare...and to warn me about doing to much with them. She was afraid that the conservative Wyoming mentality would kick in and be aimed at me for associating with homosexuals. I tied several ribbons onto my backpack, car, coat...anywhere I could find and took to answering the phones and running media interference for Jim.

Under the deluge and assult of international media attention I watched my town pull itself up, gather the loose pieces, and make a decision. Hate is not a Wyoming value. I watched people who had only inklings of the good they could do become strong, focused, inspirational leaders.

I wasn't involved with the first counter-action against Rev. Phelps' protest shows, but I do remember the encouragement passed on to our angels from Laramie residents and police officers....You're doing good, keep it up. 

Ten years later, Matthew's mother feels that not a lot has changed in the world. Only a handful of states have hate crime laws in place...many of those specificially do not include gay, lesbian, or transgender citizens. People are still scared. People are still abused, attacked, persecuted for being themselves. However, I feel a lot has changed. I would never wish the death Matthew experienced on anyone, but his death ushered in a boat load of self-awareness. A small Wyoming town learned what it means to stand together. Many individuals learned that one voice can make a change. Many learned what it means to be themselves. Maybe we haven't achieved the monumental changes that Matt's death illustrated a need for, but I know deep in my heart that God feels the same way....You are doing good. Keep it up.