In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Texas has the largest population of Christians of any state in our nation. You would think that the words of Jesus would be something that are lived out here on a daily basis. Today, I am attending two vigils to provide witness to two situations, that contrary to the vision of Jesus, are characterized by misdirection, dishonesty and death.
By many accounts, Ty Underwood was murdered last week for being a transgender woman of color. Regardless of what proof is found of this assertion, we live in a state that consistently makes life unbearable for transgender people. When Christians consistently contribute to the rhetoric of violence against marginalized and oppressed people, we should not be surprised when actual violence occurs. I will be attending a vigil tonight in North Tyler, Texas to apologize for the behavior of a church that is not apologetic about the consistent mistreatment it perpetuates against transgender people. I can just hear the replies, “We hate the sin and love the sinner.” If such rhetoric was helpful in any way, transgender people wouldn’t consistently face death in this state. I apologize with the hope that our future is better and closer to the love of God, but the apologies must not stop there.
The people of Texas will execute Donald Newbury tonight. No one outside of our state government knows where the lethal substances that will be pumped into Donald’s body came from. Killings and secrets go to together in Texas. On the way to his execution, Donald will pass under a cross. In Texas, the cross of Christ is much more associated with death than it is life. I must apologize that a state full of Christians continues to want to kill people. Jesus is about life not death.
I apologize and pray that we will get saved from our addiction to violent oppression and death. I think God can save killers too.
Amen.
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