I Think Jesus Would've Wanted Gays to Have Legal Rights.

During the week of January 20th, the Idaho House approved a hearing to to add "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" into the legislation after a 9 year battle. This will allow people to share stories with legislators about the vital need to include these protections in the Idaho Civil Rights Codes. The man mostly responsible for it taking so long to get to this point is Representative Brent Crane. He has voted "no" against Adding the Words for the past nine years, and has stated that he will still vote against legal rights for gays in the upcoming months. His reasoning? "Partly because he told his voters he wouldn't support it and for him integrity means not changing his mind. Partly because he supports "traditional marriage" and partly because, as a business owner, he doesn't want to be sued for not wanting to employ someone who doesn't line up with his values."

Gay marriage is such a hot topic in our society right now. "Is it okay? Is it not okay?" seems to be the discussion revolving around every American dinner table. I think that the expectations of the church and of fellow believers has entrapped Christians in the chains of dependent thought. A large section of American Christianity has put people like Rep. Crane in the untenable situation of being unable to vote for justice and equality for all Idahoans just because of their sexual orientation. 

I understand why Rep. Crane and most Christians feel this way, especially if they haven't taken the time to really think about it and just go with the norm. I've read the Bible, I fully believe that it states homosexuality is wrong. But it also states divorce, adultery, gluttony, murder, etc. is sinful. How did homosexuality become THE sin? And why are we as Christians acting like this is the only sinful behavior that we need to take a stand against?

For example, Chick Fil A has refused to support equal rights for gays because of the company's Christian values. In 2012, Chick Fil A's CEO  openly shared his anti-gay views and received widespread backlash. If Chik Fil A is not going support gays, then in order to be Biblically sound, they must hold themselves to not supporting any customer or potential customer that they believe is engaging in a lifestyle of sin. I obviously don't know for sure, but I would bet that Chick Fil A has gladly served and taken money from an adulterer (Exodus 20:14)  thief (Exodus 20:15), or a glutton (hello, it's a fast food restaurant) (Philippians 3:19). Wouldn't a Christian business owner also refuse to serve people who have murdered, lied, cheated, stolen, given false testimony, withheld aid from the poor? The same applies to the bakery that refused to make a cake for a gay couple. In addition to refusing service to gay people, I hope that bakery has also refused to serve couples who have engaged in adultery (Exodus 20:14), premarital sex (Hebrews 13:4), or divorce (Matt 19:1-12)- all sins in the Bible. Unfortunately this is probably not the case. I believe homosexuality is the one sin that the Christian culture has decided to hone in on. 

I love this excerpt from Marci Auld Glass: "Jesus never excluded anyone from social interaction because they were gay or trans. Nor did he tell his followers to do so. He ate with tax collectors (Mark 2, Matthew 9). He touched the unclean (Matt 8, Mark 1, Luke 8). He welcomed sinners. He spoke to women, he even requested water from a woman who had had 5 husbands (John 4). If people want to continue to believe that gender identity and sexual orientation are sinful, then it seems perfectly reasonable (if damaging to their LGBTQ loved ones) to continue to not take part in those behaviors they feel are sinful.But there is no biblical mandate to deny LGBTQ Idahoans equality under the law. Adding the Words will not require religious organizations to change their theology or practice. It will prevent people from denying housing, employment, or services to people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Jesus also never "ranked" sins. He also never tolerated the religious leaders who tried to do so. The biblical witness is clear that God wants us to feed the poor, take care of widows and orphans love one another, and welcome people in his name. It is time to Add the Words and to stop using the Bible as the excuse for why we can't."

Jesus loved the unlovable, the people that everyone thought of as low class citizens. And Jesus strongly chastised the pious religious leaders. Before we judge others, whether it's on homosexually or any sin for that matter, we must remember to not become those pious religious leaders. Because that judgment is sin. We are Christ's hands and feet. Our purpose is to show others the love of Jesus and lead others to Him. The judgement of others is God's job, thank goodness. We must search the Bible, pray, discover what is right and wrong in the eyes of God, and strive to live accordingly. Instead of spending our time judging other's sins, lets focus on our own. Let's focus on becoming more Christ-like.