I Have a Voice

I believe God has given me a voice. I stand on the idea that it is impossible and implausible that I have it all figured out, but I am also certain that I am on my way. I believe in justice. I believe in freedom. I believe in equality for all. I people in human rights and because of that I believe in gay rights.

This has nothing to do with whether I personally think it is wrong or right to be gay. And my concern is not most specifically directed at the issues of gay marriage. I only care about that for the sake of equality. My most heart-wrenching concern lies with the intolerant. My frustration lies with those arrogant enough to believe that they have it all figure out, mean enough to treat those different than them as less, and so sure of their own righteousness to use religion to defend the behavior.

I am concerned with the notion that deciding how other people should live their lives is somehow Godly. In Uganda this pass year, an Anti-Gay Bill was to be passed that would broaden the criminalisation of homosexuality by introducing the death penalty for people who were previously convicted of participating in same-sex relations (the penalty is currently 14 years of incarceration) or who are HIV-positive. Christian Churches in the area were among the top supporters. In addition, any civilian or company who was aware of same sex acts had 24 hours to report or they could face a fine or up to 3 years in prison. A fire rises up in my heart when I hear of such travesties. I immediately feel despair for the lives and families being destroyed. I can only imagine the torture of deciding whether to subject a friend of family member to death or under-go time in prison. Murder in the name of religion; As I think of this concept, I wonder how is this different than when planes were crashed into The World Trade Center because of others intolerance of Christian ways. . .

My dear friend and amazing musician, Mike Burns, posted a Facebook status one day a few months ago that brought me to tears. He said, “I’m going through my friends list tomorrow and making cuts. Most of you Christians are out.” I remember wishing that I didn’t relate. I remember thinking of how heart-breaking it was that those who claim they “love God” were causing my friend so much pain. Unfortunately, I remembering being one of those religious people who thought they knew what was best for everyone else. I hate to think of the pain and irritation I must have caused. I have felt persecuted by those who I once considered my own. And, like many, I have become exhausted of the hate mail from those who are concerned for my soul. I still know God. I still love God. So does Mike. So do so many who are looked down upon for living their life by standards that line up with their hearts and beliefs and not another's. Fortunately, I know that when I was the one judging, I always had the best of intentions; I hoped others would see the truth and follow God. I know that many mean no harm, but that doesn’t make it any less upsetting for one to hear that they are out of God’s will, backslidden, or going to hell as though God has given then the permission decide the matters of others' hearts.

I hope to encourage people to think before they say, “My church says….” Or “The Bible says….” concerning issues that segregate others. Think for yourself. The church as a whole was against women’s rights. The church as a whole approved slavery. Of course the church as a whole is against gay rights because the church as a whole is unwilling to think outside the box, move forward, and accept everyone as equal. The church as a whole has a difficult time being culturally relevant. The church as a whole is intolerant of anything new or different. I understand not all are - mine is not. And if you have found one that is tolerant and accepting, I think that's amazing, but it's a rarity.

I have to stand up for justice. I have to stand up for equality. I have to believe that all people are equal. I have to believe that as a woman, I have no less right than a man, that a person of any race has no less right than a Caucasian, and that a heterosexual person has more of a right to anything than a homosexual person. I have to believe that all humans are all equal and require love and respect. I have to believe that standing up for what I believe in is more important that fitting in. I have to believe that standing up for something that burns inside you is always worth it.

As Mike Burns said in his song, “I think I landed on something. I think I landed on loving. And all I ever wanted was to stand up and be something. . . Cause I’ve learned that loosing friends is only the beginning to something new, to something worth defending."

This is something I believe is worth defending.