As I mentioned at the beginning of my op-ed, I cannot remain silent after reading Mr. Ruse' article. As a sociologist (undergraduate work in Sociology from Indiana University), I look at the references and the whole of what the author is communicating. It is nothing more than a "moral pronouncement" on what the author describes as "the gay lifestyle".
Let's separate fact from fiction. Being gay is not a "lifestyle". It is not something that someone "chooses" to be. Why in hell would some choose to be part of a group that is mocked, ridiculed, laughed, told they were 'going to hell', fornicators, and even derogatory slurs such as "faggot". Why in the world would anyone choose to live a life with that level of persecution? Being gay is NOT a "lifestyle". It is WHO God created each to be. They cannot change or "choose" their sexual orientation any more than a straight man could "choose to be gay". I will assume the majority of readers are straight. Let me ask you a question. What if you were told that "you have to change your sexual orientation to gay" in order to be accepted in your church, in your place of work and in society? Would you do it? Could you do it? If you are like most straight men, the very thought of having sex with another man is repulsive and makes you physically ill just thinking of the idea. Being gay is the very same as being straight be only in reverse. To gay men and women, having sex with the opposite sex produces that same repulsive feelings that straight people do when told they would have to become gay.
Moving on to another aspect of the author's article. Did it ever occur to any straight person that the reason gay men seek out "anonymous" and in this day an age "dangerous" sexual encounters is because of the very abuse they would experience by the straight world, who judges them (or pre-judges; in other words are prejudice against LGBT). Most LGBT people and couples I know do not show public displays of affection like straights for fear of being shamed. Yet we see a young straight couple making out with heavy petting, and almost applaud and encourage this behavior. The reason LGBT for years have stayed "in the closet" is because of the very prejudice they experience at the mouths of so called "Christians". Really? Did Jesus ever "mock" anyone he encountered? Remember the woman at the well?
If you really want to understand the context about the Bible and the gay controversy, you should visit The Reformation Project (http://reformationproject.org). Started by a Harvard undergraduate, who took two years off his studies to research all references in the Hebrew Scriptures about homosexuality. Through a thorough exegesis which has been applauded by many seminary professors, he debunks every reference to "homosexuality being a sin" within the Hebrew Scriptures. And by the way, even from a common sense standpoint, if are going to follow "The Law" as laid out in the Pentateuch, you must follow ALL the laws. You don't get to pick and choose. This is why Christ came.... To free us from this type of "legalism" and bring the Holy Spirit into our lives so that we would know how to treat one another. There are really only two commandments which Jesus gave to us Christians when he walked the earth according to the Scriptures; 1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and body; and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself. Must of us know these commandments as "The Great Commandment" and "The Golden Rule". So if your neighbor is a gay couple, you are to treat them with the same love and kindness that you do your own family.
The young people of today will not allow society to continue to abuse verbally, degrade, call names and treat with disdain LGBT people today. Why? Because many of their friends are LGBT. They grew up realizing that being gay is just one facet of MANY that people have. How often have you heard a group say "look at those straights! I can't believe their doing that in public!". Never right? Then why do we feel the need to single out a person if we find out they are "gay or lesbian", even though in every other respect they are just like our straight friends. It was not too long ago the case "Love Vs. State of Virginia (1967) reversed state law prohibiting interracial marriage. Why were laws in existence banning "whites" and "blacks" from marrying (today we know the proper references are Caucasian and African Americans). Because people of the time "pre-judged" or were prejudice against African Americans because it was thought that they were less intelligent, less moral, more like animals. Thank goodness the courts in 1967 concluded that "ALL" men are created equal - not just Caucasians. And therefore concluded that all men and women have a "right to marry" regardless of color.
Today the LGBT movement calling for same-sex marriage is following the same path. We think that we as "Christians" have a right to determine who can marry and who cannot marry. We have the audacity to conclude that marriage is a "Christian" institution, when in fact the concept of marriage existed thousands of years before Christianity hit the world. Being Gay or Lesbian or Transgendered is NOT a choice. it is who we are. It is what God create us to be. It was once told to me "God don't make junk". Why would a loving God create a desire within LGBT people only to ban those same people from acting on their true feelings. Have we allowed our Christian ego to become so large that we know the mind of God?
So with all the passion I can call upon, I vehemently disagree with the author and his conclusions. Gay people are just people. The are like you and me. The love, they laugh, they cry, the work, they have bills, they have children, they have parents and grandparents, they have hopes and they have dreams. They are our neighbors, our mailmen and women, our grocers, our physicians, our counselors and yes even our pastors and friends in church. So if we are to "love our neighbor as ourselves", let me ask - does the author encourage us to love LGBT people as equals? Or does he wrongly ask us to love LGBT persons as victims like those who are raped in prison? Really? Why is it so impossible to believe that two people, regardless of their sex, can fall in love? do you think "cupid" discriminates? Then why should we?
Rev Brother Jeffery Wolfe
St John XXIII Pastoral & Outreach Center
p.s. Since posting my reply on the Crises Management website, I have received a couple of posts already. I am truly saddened by the responses and the unbending view readers of "Crises Magazine" have. I want to share a couple responses.. Names have been removed to protect the person replying.
First Reply:
Second Reply:
I am truly saddened by the responses to my op-ed on Mr. Ruse' article. I am even more saddened by the magazine "Crises Magazine" It continues to perpetuate the myths and stereotypes of all types of individuals. Its it almost like the Pharisee who prayed, "Thank you God for not making me like those heathens". It makes me very concerned just what type of teaching our Roman brothers and sisters are learning. One thing is for sure. The two who replied to my op-ed certainly have their "hate" down pat.
Bro Jeffery Wolfe
St John XXIII Catholic Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
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About the Author:
Rev Bro Jeffery Wolfe, OSFC is the Executive Director and a member of the Board of Directors for The Kristen Center, a faith-based not-for-profit community based organization dedicated to providing programs and services to those with HIV and those who care for them. Currently The Kristen Center offers targeted, customized HIV Support Groups for: Newly Diagnosed; Long Term Survivors; Family & Caregivers of those with HIV; and, Women with HIV. HIV Prevention programs are an essential core element of the services offered by The Kristen Center. You can learn more about The Kristen Center by going to http://www.thekristencenter.com/ or by checking out its Facebook Page at http://www.fb.com/TheKristenCenter or visit their Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/kristencenter.Bro Jeff is also author of his blog “Following My Calling”. You can reach Bro Jeff on his Facebook
write Bro Jeff at rev_jwolfe@stjohnxxiiicatholicchurch.org.
In addition, Bro Jeffery Wolfe, OSFC is the Pastor and Deacon of St John XXIII Catholic Church located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was
founded April 4, 2011 in Indianapolis on the East-side in Irvington. Bro Jeff attends seminary as a third year student at Holy Spirit enrolled in the Master of Divinity Program. As Pastor of the St. John Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Bro Jeff serves Indianapolis by offering a Progressive, Vatican II Independent Catholic parish which offers communion, hospital visitation, shut-in visitation, prayer groups, RCIA, weddings and funerals, and other traditional liturgies associated with Catholicism.
St John Catholic Church denies NO ONE for ANY reason from receiving the Holy Eucharist. ALL are welcome at our Mass regardless of status (divorced, single, married, gay, straight, bi-sexual, trans-gendered). As a parish of the United American Catholic Church (UACC), we believe as Pope John XXIII did that Christ died for all, FOR ALL.
