Shedding Holy Light on supporting Pride

Some people think there is a priority list of sins and God keeps score

As Cape Breton prepares to celebrate its annual Pride Festival (Aug. 4-12), I feel compelled to say a few words of support for a community that provides such creativity; compassion and excitement to our Island.

As a member of the clergy of the United Church of Canada, it saddens me each time I hear religion being used as a means of judging and shaming members of the world’s precious LGBTQ community.

Apparently, some people think there is a priority list of sins and God keeps score. Those among us who appreciate the diversity of life can choose to play that game, too.

We, too, can make wild grabs at obscure scripture that was written at a time when men had more than one wife, children had no status, animals were sacrificed, people were stoned or crucified and women had no rights.

Today, God has so much more to be concerned with in terms of wars, poverty, violence and an increasing lack of civility among people. Loving one another is part of God’s plan for earth – and we are failing miserably.

I have some questions for those who think members of the LGBTQ community are sinners:

1. Do you shop on Sunday? Then you are breaking God’s commandment.

2. Have you ever cheated on your partner?

3. Slept with someone before marriage?

4 . . . . . Been divorced?

5. Uttered profanities?

6. Been cheeky with your Mom or Dad? ! (It says in Leviticus that if you curse your parents you should be put to death!)

7. Taken something that wasn’t yours?

8.Had an unclean thought? Of course you have.

Is your head uncovered in public? Do you wear garments with two kinds of cloths woven together? Do you gossip? Are you bitter? These are all bad according to scripture. Nowhere, however, does Jesus Christ appear to have condemned love of any kind – except for love of material things.

Leviticus – the most oft-quoted scripture to use against same-sex relations - also tells us that we should purchase slaves from the foreigners among us and treat our children as property!

Despite all of us falling short of perfection (and I prefer to leave judgment of other’s actions up to them and God), people continue to “cherry pick” the Biblical passages about same-sex love to use as an excuse to judge others as “sinners” in the eyes of God. And yet, the greatest commandment that we are asked to follow is simply put: worship one God only, and love each other. “There is no commandment greater than these.”

So – there you have it. Very simple. Love one another. And there are no strings attached or conditions.

I write in terms of the Christian Bible and yet I know that precepts of love are also found and interpreted in most other holy books. Love for the God of many names and love for each other is paramount in these books as well.

It is true that God created male and female so that life can procreate – that’s a biological process to ensure that every species will continue. But without love, that’s all it is – a scientific process. Fortunately, our Creator made all people with the capacity to love and care for one another.

Creation is full of joy – and nothing brings as much joy as family and friends. And today, we are blessed to have people of all sizes, ages, colours, abilities and genders – and all made by God. A veritable rainbow of people and the joy and love they can bring to others. And today, “heart” families come in all configurations. Thank the Lord for that!

The words sacred and holy refer to things that are connected to God. We are all connected to God through Creation, and so we are all sacred.

One of the saddest things in life is to know of family members who have “cast out” (now there’s a Biblical term!) someone because of their gender preferences and identities. In no way, shape or form is that love of any kind. I encourage anyone struggling with loving someone who is gay, transgender or questioning to reach out and speak with other people attached to the LGTBQ community who can shed light on God’s unconditional love for all of us.

Be proud, LGBTQ community! You have a lot to be proud of! And from where I come from spiritually, you should hold your heads high because you are beautiful children created, fashioned, and born of a loving God who sees you as one of God’s masterpieces!

So – there you have it. Very simple. Love one another. And there are no strings attached or conditions.

Rev. Rosemary Godin, BA, MDiv, is a former Halifax journalist and present United Church Minister who has served churches in Ontario and Nova Scotia. She presently lives in Sydney where she serves at United Heritage Church