I have a friend who is a pastor in a church I occasionally attend. She has done an amazing job but has face tremendous adversity. Why? Because she is a lesbian. The church has received credible threats and has had to ramp up security; they even put steel poles in front of the entrance to protect them from being rammed by a vehicle. One member verbally threatened physical violence; it was so bad that after the bishop visited, he excommunicated the would-be assailant. Our local synagogue has armed security at every event for fear of another Tree of Life attack. My congregation has discussed doing the same due to my very public defense of the LGBTQ community. Many of these threats come from “devout” people. Their gospel is about hate, not love.
Since the gang murder of Alex Pretti by ICE officers, I have seen many excuses defending what happened. Having seen multiple videos of this blood-thirsty execution, I cannot see any excuse – any reason – for it to have happened. Most of the people defending the assassination of Pretti have something in common – they claim to be christians. If they are, the gospel they promote and live is one of hate, not love. And they aren’t alone; too many people who claim Jesus as their Savior believe in committing violence against those they disagree with. They have no problem with doctors who do abortions being murdered. They want LGBTQ people eradicated. They believe in the death penalty, regardless of the circumstances. In fact, much of their belief system is in direct opposition of the teachings of Jesus. Their gospel is about hate, not love.
There has been a growing number of people with these belief systems being elected or appointed to high government positions, and their influence is deep and wide. I will once again be clear about this – I do not want to live in a Christian nation, but I do want to live in a place that allows every person of faith the opportunity to practice their faith – as long as they don’t injure others. These practitioners of the gospel of Hate are doing everything in their power to drive those of us who don’t believe in their version of God out. They are trying to redefine America, molding it in their warped vision of God. Their god of hate is demonic, thirsting for blood, and their love of violence and vengeance and cruelty is destroying all of us. This is not what our founders dreamed of, nor is it what Jesus taught. Hate only breeds more hate. And hate destroys everything.
Prayer – O God, we call on You to breathe love into the minds of those who hate, so that repentance might thrive. Amen.
Today’s art is “Love You/Hate You” by De Waele.