Today is the beginning of Pride Month, when our friends and neighbors and the many members of the LGBT+ community celebrate who they are, just as much a part of God’s creation as those of us who are straight. Over the past year or so we’ve seen hostility towards gays and lesbians, and especially transgender persons, stoked by politicians who use fear to solidify their base.
We have to ask why and where did this fear arise, seemingly unique to the Abrahamic religious tradition? Many other religious traditions accepted the endless variety of God’s creation. Some historians believe it came from a combination of misogyny and male anger that they would be rejected, as well as strict gender roles.
Although we’ve come a long way from a time when homophobic violence was considered acceptable, we need to recognize that there still are deep hostilities towards people who are seen as “different,” especially in the so-called new masculinity which holds violence as an acceptable way to respond to almost any kind of situation. More than praying that all of God’s creation will be accepted, we must work toward that end.
Prayer for the Day
Searching for the right words to say, O God, we scour dictionaries,
But often the words we want to say are already in our hearts;
Unsure of how to speak to others, O Lord, we do not speak at all,
And our silence becomes confounding to those around us.
Teach us, O Holy Voice, what to say and how to say it,
So we may be instruments of your Word in the world.
In the name of the One who shows us how to speak,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The definition of phobia is: an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something. Perhaps the words homophobia, transphobia and biphobia are, in that case, misnomers. At its root, homophobia, transphobia and biphobia aren't necessarily about fear, but hatred – an irrational hatred.
Roger Scott on the Government of Canada website
I'm proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.
Tim Cook, Apple
The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely
Proverbs 28: 5