When the church gave me the choice between my LGBTQ+ child and my church… I chose my child!
My journey as a parent has led me to realize that the evangelical church’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights, love, and acceptance has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Absolutely nothing.
As the proud parent of two LGBTQ+ children and one transgender child-in-law, I have grown increasingly disenchanted with the exclusionary, unloving and unBiblical approach that many evangelical churches have taken. The harm caused by false teachings and the pursuit of power over genuine love and inclusion has taken a horrible, tragic toll on countless LGBTQ+ individuals.
A Parent’s Love Should Know No Bounds
The journey of embracing your children’s identities and advocating for their rights is a testament to the boundless love a parent can feel. The evangelical church has often fallen short of reflecting this love, choosing instead to cling to outdated, false beliefs and judgmental unBiblical attitudes. Jesus’ teachings emphasized the importance of love, compassion, and inclusivity, values that seem to have been forgotten or sidelined by many within the church.
The Ignored Truth: Revisiting Jesus’ Teachings
Jesus’ ministry was characterized by his revolutionary message of love and acceptance, and his stance against religious leaders who focus on law over people. He welcomed all individuals, irrespective of their background or identities. The non-affirming evangelical church has often ignored these teachings in favor of divisive ideologies that harm LGBTQ+ individuals, their families, and other marginalized groups. Instead of fostering an environment of understanding, they have chosen to perpetuate hurtful rhetoric that isolates and alienates.
Promoting False Teaching: Power Over Compassion
It is truly disheartening to witness how some evangelical churches have veered from the path of love in their pursuit of power and influence. They have exploited their followers’ trust to promote beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus. The pursuit of power has overshadowed the church’s mandate to love and care for all. This misuse of authority has allowed harmful ideologies to thrive, causing lasting damage to countless lives.
Harming the Marginalized
The harm caused by unloving and unBiblical teachings extends beyond the LGBTQ+ community to all marginalized individuals – those Jesus called “the least of these.” Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination and exclusion have persisted within evangelical circles. It’s high time that the church examines its conscience and realigns its values with the teachings of Jesus, dismantling harmful doctrines that only perpetuate pain and suffering.
LGBTQ+ people are asked by the non-affirming church to change or leave. It’s time we ask the non-affirming church to change or leave.
The entire system is built on exclusion, and enough is enough.
Change or leave!
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