tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800170226070888238.post5558399178567964346..comments2023-07-01T06:15:24.400-07:00Comments on the inner a_roll: the need for dialogue between differing opinionsa_rollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00115728641653548914noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800170226070888238.post-617377528901468342008-11-01T00:21:00.000-07:002008-11-01T00:21:00.000-07:00I was in Women's Studies today, and apart from our...I was in Women's Studies today, and apart from our usual repetative banter, we stumbled upon the issue of Prop 8. There is one guy in our entire class, and he's gay. For the first time, everyone in the class had something to say...one girl raised her hand and said that her church accepts gay people, and that they don't believe they can judge those who sin, just like they don't judge the liar, or thief, etc. She said they were voting "Yes on Prop 8" because they believed that they should be happy with being accepted, rather than picky. The guy (I don't know his name) raised his hand and said, "Not making a personal attack towards you, and I know you meant well, but do you know what it's like to be told that you're a sinner but you'll 'pardon' me for it'? So many times in my life someone has made the comment, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." I would rather be called a fucking faggot anyday, rather than a liar or a thief who is 'forgiven' and not 'judged' by man. I grew up in a religious background, but because I'm gay, I'm not considered equal to my siblings or the rest of my family, and for that I purposefully will never marry in a church. I still believe in my faith, but only to a certain degree--there is no church that has accepted me or anyone I know who is gay and Christian without telling us to change who we were eventually down the line, and tell us that we were wrong and it was all in our head." The conversation went on, the majority of the class voting No on 8 thankfully, and before I could say anything, another girl started talking. "There is one church who I saw advertising on campus that seemed pretty open to all that. I mean, they didn't say any political stance but they seemed really accepting." *ding ding ding* The gay guy (for lack of a better name) said, "Yeah, the orange ones? But chances are, the second you walk in that door, there will be smiles and 'hey how are you?'s' and then once they get to know you, they tell you you're going to hell unless you change, but they'll love you anyways." My hand shot up, and I knew that the second my professor nodded for me to share, our story of grace has so much farther to reach, and so many more lives to touch, and so many more messages to be told to spread our movement...but a thousand questions and answers (it felt like anyways) and a bright orange rave card and "open your eyes" sticker later, a life is changed. No matter what happens on Tuesday, we will still be advocates and agents of hope and above all...reckless LOVE. Sometimes I forget how rad we are. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com