An Open Letter to the Christian Churches of America
To whomever may be receptive,
The Equality Act (with its stated aim to ensure the rights of LGBTQ+) appears to be bringing a cry of “religious persecution” from Christians all around America. Because of this, I have felt led to write this letter with the hopes that at least some are indeed still willing to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
All the turmoil in America for the past many years comes not from racial, religious, or political differences: All of it stems from individuals and organizations misusing their power. The cop that killed George Floyd thought his power gave him the right and that it would protect him. The Catholic church enabled and protected pedophiles because of the power they had. Every single one of us have wronged someone because we thought we had the power; and every single one of us, to whatever degree, have been wronged by someone wielding their power.
When the Christian churches had more power and influence in America, what was it used for? Was there a firm policy of following Jesus' new commandment to “love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34) or was it closer to the Pharisaical thought of “Crucify him, crucify him” (Luke 23:21) to every person that doesn't meet their interpretation of the law?
If someone who identifies as LGBTQ+ came to you, did you demonize them and cast them out, or was it Jesus words that guided you: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37) And if a prodigal son returned, were you like the Father who says, “be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32) or were you like the brother who never left, yet who felt it was his right to judge harshly?
How many, upon being cast out, have turned to witchcraft, drugs, or suicide? Paul said, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” (Romans 14:13) Is not our denial of our neighbor's right to the love and blessing of true Christianity a worse sin than any they came to the church with?
The apostle Peter wrote “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10) If someone doesn't take the gift of Christian teachings, don't get into arguments online, don't hold hateful signs at a protest, and don't firebomb medical offices. Jesus told us to “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) not to work in making even more people our enemies. Don't turn the gift into a curse. Simply follow Jesus commands: “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” (Matthew 10:14) There need be no more drama than that!
So, how is it that we may collectively and individually work to not misuse our power? We must realize, as Jesus our wayshower before us, that “The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works.” (John 14:10) Any power that we may have is given to us by God so that we may do good every moment of the day. After all, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13) and Christ does not strengthen us to do evil or to hate.
Galatians 5:19-23 1 states pretty well the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, and using these as guidelines we can see what comes from the misuse of power and what comes from being “good stewards.” Are we not all seeking to cast the beam from our own eyes? Are we not all seeking to be healed of something? In Romans 12:2 it says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Should we not accept all peoples, and trust that God will bring about a renewing of their mind in His own time and way? And won't that renewing allow them to prove what is good for themselves?
Because of our failure to follow Jesus’ command to “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1) Christianity finds itself being judged very, very harshly. It seems that the entirety of Christendom must now humble itself for the actions of all those who failed to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) Let us move forward with that wisdom that is from above, ready to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) and love our neighbor as Jesus Christ's words and example have taught us.
Christianity has failed to instruct the world how to benevolently wield power. We cannot change that now. We can however start to instruct the world how to humbly take correction, and we do that by publicly making amends to God and to our fellow humans for the wrongs we have committed — wrongs which have soiled the name of Christianity and are an offense unto God. Certainly this will only be the start of the journey, but as we learn to “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him” (Matthew 5:25) we can start to move forward with a collective healing that is sorely needed in America and the world.
Allow me to offer a reinterpretation of The Lord's Prayer 2 to end this letter:
Our God, the true parent of me and all, let my words and actions show my respect and love for You always. May Your kingdom be forever alive within me, and may I always see each of Your children as equally worthy of my love and of Your Love. Let me hear Your Word each day, and may I be ready to act and speak only as You direct. Forgive me every failing, and teach me to hold no ill will against another. Guide me in every situation, so that I may express Your qualities constantly. Keep me Your humble servant, so that I might never forget it is now and always Your Kingdom, Your Power, and Your Glory. Amen!
Thank you for your time and prayer on this.
1 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. — Galatians 5:19-23
2 ... Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. — Matthew 6:9-13