I’m making a bold move to talk about a controversial issue that many believe is taboo in religion; especially the Black Church. After watching “GREENLEAF” I observed the bold acceptance of LGBT members as strong members of the church congregation. It quickly struck a nerve with me and made me question, do we really accept LGBT members or is this just another untruth Hollywood has painted for us.
As a believer and spiritual individual, I have been a member of enough congregations to know that homosexuality is not favored by the church. It is like the devil himself is present when someone is viewed as homosexual and existing within the church. The reality of the religious world is that homosexuality and spirituality should not go together. It’s forcing a square peg into a tiny circle hole. When the head of the flock speaks of homosexuality it is always viewed as the ultimate sin, which leaves many to question the motto “come as you are”. Many are made to believe that the church is a safe haven for those who are struggling or lost, but isn’t a place for those who are backsliding or have confirmed that they are who they are. The church has judged this particular group so much that they too forgot that the Bible states that “Thou shall not JUDGE”, but we do it all the time. We must keep in mind James 4:12 and Luke 6:37.
A LGBT lifestyle is a sinful lifetime, but you enjoy the talents they bring to the church. Too many times we have witnessed the musical genius of the choir director, and 7 times out of 10 they are LGBT (either proud or hiding). We see the choir members and their colorful moves and bold gestures that we mistake for praise and ignore that it could really be a true of expression of self shining through the spirit that’s lives within. Why do we accept them for their gifts, but not for who they choose to love or be? That really confuses me. On GREENLEAF the church is torn, but its spiritual leader seems to be tolerable of the music leader’s preference, while his deacon board secretly hates his existence. Is this what the church really does behind the backs of many who come to church to connect with God, give their gifts, and seek acceptance by those around us. Is one mislead to believe I am one with this group or just a name on the program we call Sunday Service?
The Bible is always interpreted as what man believes it should be. As one of the oldest books it is also one of the most misread. Most of the time placing value on what one deems necessary and using it against things we judge. I have heard many pastors and leaders; some who speak life and some who just can’t get it right. I have heard the LGBT community bashed, while others try to ignore the churches past. The passages of the Bible used against those who sin different, but praises those who walk the walk of the church, the straight and narrow. We tend to forget that once we leave that holy place after Sunday worship that we too fall short and ask God for forgiveness, but we forget that a sin is a sin, no matter how big or small. 
Stop using the Bible to make your unjust just, while throwing stones at those already battling trust. Take the word for what it is; the word. Let those who are confused or battling confess unto the Lord without your stones of scorn. Lead by example; not by judgement and dismantle. Let the Bible stand alone and dispose the values of man.
As I begin to come to an end, I still ask does the church reflect what television has portrayed as a glorious marriage. Do we really accept difference or just tolerate it for the sake of entertaining your congregation. Teach the people and less of difference and hate. In this moment in time we need to love instead of using religion as a birthplace of hate. I still remain spiritual and connected to God because I know where my strength and blessing come from. I just wish that we forgave faster, loved harder, and accepted difference more than tormenting others who don’t sin like we do. So I end with, will the church say AMEN?
Mood: Just asking the question left unanswered. Don’t worry about my preference, because I have no room to judge or be judge by man who has zero power to judge at all. Galatians 5:14
SayWhatNOW?!?! 