That statement is becoming harder and harder to believe, due anti-LGBT civil rights politicians such as the neoconservative Republicans who have hijacked Christianity in order to justify discrimination against the Queer Community. One minute we are told that Christianity is a religion that’s peaceful, tolerant, loving–as was Christ, but the next minute we see “Christians” such as neocon Republicans spouting homophobic bigotry and pro-discrimination against LGBT people sentiments. Thankfully, not all Christians are this way and some are getting tired of seeing their religion hijacked and twisted in order to condone hate.
Minister Denounces President Bush’s ‘Compassionate Homophobia’
‘There is nothing Christian about discrimination.’ … Rev. Steven Baines
On June 21, President Bush addressed the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. Praising the convention’s support for the Federal Marriage Amendment, the president said: “Southern Baptists are practicing compassion by defending the family and the sacred institution of marriage.”
Reverend Steven Baines, an elder in the Disciples of Christ and member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Religious Leadership Roundtable responds with the following statement:
“As an elder in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a former Southern Baptist minister, I am disappointed that the president and leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention continue to present their discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in the guise of compassion.
“The president’s speech failed to explain how a Federal Marriage Amendment that would block thousands of American families from the protections they need for their stability and security can be seen as an act of compassion; just as the Southern Baptist Convention has failed to explain how supporting this discrimination contributes to its Christian witness. There is nothing Christian about discrimination.
“Instead of dressing up their bigotry as ‘compassionate homophobia’ the president and the Southern Baptist Convention can show real compassion by guaranteeing full equality for same-sex couples and their families. This would be more in line with the ethic of compassion for the marginalized and oppressed that is the foundation of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures the president claims to revere so strongly.”
Well at least it’s compassionate bigotry, because remember they’re “compassionate conservatives.” Also, according to the religious wingnut rhetoric of the passed few years, Christians are the only ones being “oppressed,” due to the big “secular-humanist, pro-abortion, feminazi, pinko-commie, extremist, and militant Queer-lifestyle conspiracy” that controls everything in this country. Riiiight….. Practically owning Congress and the White House, and being the majority religion apparently don’t count as having any power and influence.
There are other Christians want to take their religion back and they’re hoping to make a big splash. As a non-adherent, I hope to G-d they’re successful.
You know, I truly am I big fan of the following verse:
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father in secret shall reward thee openly.”