While many people’s stance on the Christian faith in the United States tends to be that of a country of fire and brimstone believers. We are inundated on a consistent basis with images of picketers at gay funerals, preachers on television telling homosexuals to repent their sinful lifestyle and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and many other images. When people see this kind of activity on television, it is no wonder people have turned away from the churches they attended in their youth. What person would want to be constantly berated by the leader of their faith for all the sinful things they have or have not done? I know that I would not and at the first sign of such a message would be running like there was no tomorrow from that church. I do not want to be attacked at the place I go to worship. I have come to worship G-d, and His love, not his hate.


But wait! Not all Churches are like this, you might be yelling at the screen at this moment. I know this is true, and that is why I set out to get a local perspective on the situation. I could report from the Reform Jewish position, but that would be one-sided as in Rural America, Jews are not one of the “major” religions unless you are in a more urban populous. After making over 30 telephone calls, and speaking to many different people, both helpful and not, I have come to conclude that the ideals and images we see on television are not the “true” face of local religion. My mom’s saying, “just because it’s on TV doesn’t mean its real or the only truth” is quite clear and quite helpful in this situation.


I have found that while many of the churches are not accepting of gay and lesbian people, they are welcoming to them. They feel that ALL people are welcome to praise and worship G-d, not just the “good” people. One pastor told me, and it was a clear message, that “He, who is without sin, cast the first stone”. What the pastor meant by that was this: While we all live our lives in the manner that we see fit, we are not without some form of sin, and therefore, we cannot judge another person for the way they live their life before we judge ourselves and the life we lead. This pastor summed it up quite well I would say. While the local churches in Rural Illinois (take a map out, find the bottom of Iowa, and the top of Missouri, where they meet draw your eyes due east until you come upon Macomb, that is the rural Illinois area I am talking about) might not be accepting of the “gay/homosexual lifestyle” they welcome parishioners, some more than others.


While not all places of worship are accepting of gays and lesbians, they welcome us, not always with open arms, but nonetheless welcome us. Maybe it is G-d’s mission for you to show them the human side of the struggle gays and lesbians face. Maybe it is through you that they will learn acceptance, or even tolerance. Religiously they may never come to accept you or us but if you get your foot in the door, you never know what will happen. Take some cues from Reform Judaism, and other Christian denominations… gays and lesbians are people, many people of faith. They bleed just like you do, the feel just like you do, and they want to live their lives in relative peace and harmony just as you do. They want to find love and acceptance in their lives, as well as you. In the end, it is not a matter of Reform Judaism and other Christian denominations stance on gay marriage, civil unions, or gay rights… it is a matter of faith and acceptance. Without faith, people are lost, and without acceptance, people are turned away. Wouldn’t it be better to have people of faith, no matter what their sexual orientation is, worshiping with you and accepting you for the person you are, rather than the person you sleep with?


The bottom line is this, my dear readers; Do your research. Call the local congregations and see what their stances are. For if you do not do your homework first, you may find yourself in a sticky situation that may harm you. Talk to the Pastor, the Rabbi, the Father, and ask him/her what their churches stance is on homosexuals. Are they accepting? Do they actively try to convert you? Are they all fire and brimstone? Alternatively, do they welcome you with open and loving arms to worship G-d?

Jase ;0)

Jason P. Ruel
Editor, Gay Lesbian

**************** For Further Reading on the Subject ***************************