Bridging the gap between homosexuals and people who wish homosexuals weren't

My post today is part of a larger initiative of more than 50 bloggers all sharing their thoughts on how to "bridge the gap." You can check out the other links at: www.btgproject.blogspot.com.

The first thought I have about the relationship/dialogue/interaction between the homosexual community and the part of the religious community that's outspoken against the homosexual lifestyle, is that those who denigrate homosexuality need to make sure they "have their house in order" before they lambaste others. Which is to say, there will be no lambs basted.

In our cultural moment, one word which is impossible to use without instant alienation is "sin." Yet that's the first question asked: "Is homosexuality sin?" When I hear this question, it reminds me of my thoughts when asked for money on the streets of Chicago. "We have a one-minute-old relationship, and forty-three seconds of that were spent talking about money. What makes me think I should trust you?" In the same way, when someone I don't know asks me my opinion about homosexuality, I have to let them know that we don't have a level of trust built to adequately deal with all sides of the issue.

If homosexuality is a sin, and if I have a propensity to condemn sinners to hell or whatever, I also need to remember my primary sins: desire for control and gossip, both as damnable as homosexuality if it is indeed damnable. I desire for people to gently prod me when I'm grasping for control beyond what God has granted me, but I want it to be people who love me. Otherwise, I'll be suspicious that they're simply trying to wrest my control away from me. If religious non-homosexuals want to have a positive relationship with homosexuals, it must be predicated on love and trust, sans agenda. Usually when we begin genuinely relating to someone who is rather different from us, we start to see suspicion eroding. We no longer have the wherewithal to ostracize them, because they are human too. It's harder to hate someone with whom we find commonality.

With a church full of adultery, gossip, hatred, and lack of value for non-American human life, I don't see why we need to single out another group to judge. Let's start with our own house and then try to begin loving those who may not be in our house.