I was brought up in a Pentecostal church. Every Sunday I woke up 2 hours earlier than the church service to attend the bible study that was held before hand. On average, I was in church for at least 5 to 6 hours every Sunday. Around middle school, I moved far away to Florida and had to search for a new church. At the new church I went to bible study every Wednesday after school and then attended Sunday service. I was at church at least twice a week. The Christian customs were the same at both churches. Neither of my them taught me to be to spew any type of hate into the world, yet alone towards the LGBT community. They were good people with good intentions. However, of course I was taught that only men and women were meant to be together. I was told “Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.”
This is how most Christians are brought up. In a lot of cases, Christians take in that message with hate, which is when it becomes homophobia. See, there are two basic types of anti-homosexual Christians.
The Egoistic Christian: Believe that they are the warriors of humanity. Warriors like to be the hero, they fight for what is right. They fix things and save the day. This is exactly what they think they are doing when they attempt to “save homosexuals” from the fiery pits of hell. These ones usually tell homosexuals that god hates them- but it’s not too late! Repent!
The Ignorant, but Loving Christian: This christian truly doesn’t have bad intentions. They might have a gay friend that they’re scared for. They don’t want that person to burn in hell. This person believes that with the correct nurture, care and practice of the word, that homosexuals can “be saved” and turn straight. They just wanna see you in heaven!
Either way, this is extremely problematic. There can only be three outcomes when trying to force heterosexuality on someone:
- ) You’re inflicting unwanted/negative emotions: Insecurity, shame, anger. (God totally approves of this right?)
- ) You actually convince someone that they’re saved: This person forces a sexuality on themselves. They live a lie as they continue to convince themselves that they’re straight and happy. Understand that no one can control who they’re attracted to. “Turning” someone straight is impossible.
- ) The person has heard it so many times that they’ve stopped caring: So really, you’re just wasting your breath.
“Turning” someone straight is impossible.
Christianity, like most religions, is very flawed. Religion is commonly used as a space goat to fall back on when people act in such oppressive behavior and it’s an ugly trend that needs to end. Harassing someone about their sexuality and life decisions is not your place. So, my final words to homophobic Christians: mind your damn business.
Sincerely, every pro equality Christian & LGBT member.
