It’s been a while since I’ve heard about the Westboro Baptist Church.
For those who don’t know, they’re famous for their religious, hate-filled endeavors; picketing the funerals of fallen soldiers and children, preaching about everyone’s inevitable damnation to hell and their opposition of the gay community.
Since gay marriage and other LGBTQ issues are such hot topics in today’s public sphere, it’s no wonder that they’ve garnered so much attention.
Because of their growing infamy and ambiguous association with Christianity, many actual Christians have been cautious in their own approach to the topic; some are open to those who identify with the gay community, others articulate their opposition in a more socially acceptable manner.
But while institutions like the WBC which blatantly express their disdain for the gay community have become more socially stigmatized, it appears that some actual branches of Christianity – which are just as guilty of harboring this bigoted attitude – have remained largely accepted.
This is mainly due to the fact that, while they still have ignorant ideas about members of the LGBTQ community, they have a fine way of dressing these notions in flowery language, the “socially acceptable manner” that was mentioned above, essentially hiding any hint of bigotry.
But the fact of the matter is, bigotry is bigotry, and no amount of rosy jargon or religious assertion will make that untrue.
I am a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community.
I know that being gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc. is no more a choice than the color of one’s skin, and there’s science to prove it.
I enjoy talking about the subject of sexuality with all kinds of people; I’ve met supporters of the LGBTQ community as well as those who fervently oppose all who identify with this group.
While some in the opposing party are outwardly hateful in their opinions about LGBTQ members, many in this camp have other ways of expressing their disagreement with the minority’s “lifestyle choice,” citing religion as grounds for their views.
When discussing homosexuality, specifically, I’ve often heard phrases like, “I accept gay people, but I believe that the lifestyle they choose is wrong and a sin against God” or “Our duty as Christians is to help those who are feeling confused about their sexuality; not condemn them.”
While common phrases like these are not glaringly hateful, they’re still inherently bigoted, homophobic and those who harbor these attitudes can be labeled accordingly.
People are often shocked and dismayed by the blatant outcries of hatred on behalf of religion, but what many don’t realize is that even the rosiest of teachings can hide bigoted implications.
The beliefs that gay people are “sick” and need help from religious organizations or that they should be accepted even though their “lifestyle choice” is a sin against God may be less hateful opinions fueled by strong religious values, but their religious shroud does not hide their glaring ignorance.
LGBTQ members are not sick.
They do not need “help” with finding their “true” straight identity.
They are human beings who simply want to live their lives without being condemned for it, whether implicitly or explicitly, and to preach otherwise is nothing short of bigotry.
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