The first of the three simple rules: Do no harm.
What does that exactly mean?
For me, it means to treat others with respect. Honesty. Integrity. Compassion. To offer love, not hate. To seek understanding, not to shut out or reject due to misunderstanding.
For me, harm can be done as easily by omission of the right actions, as if we are puporting negative, harmful actions. Either one can create serious damage to others.
I believe that Christian churches that do not embrace those with a LBGT orientation, harm is done. People that attend these churches, seeking guidance and compassion and understanding, who are then led to believe that they are flawed, diseased, or sinful, are being harmed. Their souls are being damaged. To me, that is one of the most ultimate forms of spiritual violence. And violence to the spirit, to the soul, takes years to erase. Sometimes, a lifetime.
Harm is done when we are told that we are “loved”, but that our “sin” is what will not be tolerated.
Okay, let me get this straight then (no pun intended…..). As long as I stop being who I am, that will free me of the “sin” that I am guilty of?
Because, the truth of the matter is, I am not DOING something sinful; sexual orientation is not a set of actions, it is part of my identity. It is who I am. Just like a person who has a heterosexual orientation is not a sinner based on who they are, but by their actions.
What is the difference, pray tell?
It is the reluctance of some Christian churches and communities to accept us as who we are: citizens, mothers, fathers, neighbors, workers, and people who pray, live and die in this world.
By holding onto false beliefs about who we are, harm is being done by these God loving persons.
So, I strive to continue to educate people about who I am, what I stand for, what the contents of my heart are, and share my love of Christ with them. And, pray that they open their eyes and hearts to fully see, truly see, who we are.
