As a society, while we’d like to think that we, as a people, have come a long way in terms of acceptance and inclusivity for all individuals. However, there is still an overwhelming and concerningly large sect of people who use their religion as an excuse to judge and condemn their fellow Americans who identify as LGBTQ+ .

According to experts, there are still many reasons why there is condemnation and discrimination against the LGBTQ community. One reason is a lack of education and understanding about gender and sexual orientation, leading to fear and prejudice. However, one of the most significant factors in this perpetuation of discrimination and condemnation is attributed to a large number of conservative Christians who believe that same-sex relationships do not reflect God’s creative intent and that the Bible forbids homosexuality.

*Televangelist Kenneth Copeland via Getty Images*

However, experts argue that this belief is based on poor scholarship and a cultural bias read into the text, and that the Bible does not actually address sexual orientation as an innate dimension of personality

Religious beliefs have been found to be a significant factor in perpetuating negativity towards those who identify as LGBTQ+. A study by the Center for American Progress found that 66.3% of religiously identified sources expressed negative or anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, despite a broad acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights by religious groups in the US. Majorities in every major religious group — with the exception of white evangelical Protestants — also support marriage equality. Religious Americans strongly support LGBTQ+ rights, and this reality should be reflected to ensure fair and accurate media coverage.

This study’s top finding is that news media coverage of religion and LGBTQ rights more often cites religiously identified sources that oppose LGBTQ equality. This overall finding starkly contrasts with the support for LGBTQ rights expressed by religious Americans. While 66.3 percent of religiously identified sources expressed negative or anti-LGBTQ sentiment, public opinion polling of religiously affiliated Americans suggests that only 25.8 percent oppose nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people.

Not only is this type of hate speech which Only serves to harm this innocent community absolutely and completely unconstitutional and unethical. It is absolutely not Christian behavior, in fact, it is absolutely what Our Lord and Savior gave his life for, it is the absolute antithesis of what Christ and Christianity stand for.

It is ignorant and narrow-minded, not to mention, un Christian by principle, for these self-proclaimed Christians to persecute this community and inaccurately reference the Bible or Christianity as a justification for doing so.

Additionally, the FBI has released data showing a worrying increase in hate crimes, including those targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

According to recent data collected by ACLED, anti-LGBTQ+ mobilization has risen to its highest levels since they started collecting data in 2020. There has been a significant increase in anti-LGBTQ+ incidents and acts of political violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community have tripled compared to last year. Anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrations have also doubled, involving far-right militias and militant social movements. Demonstrations account for the majority of anti-LGBTQ+ mobilization, with a significant increase reported this year compared to last year and the year before.

As followers of Christ, it is imperative that we acknowledge and embrace the diversity and uniqueness of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Jesus himself loves all of his children and hates condemnation, therefore it is unacceptable for anyone to use religion as a means of hate and discrimination towards their fellow human beings.

Based on the religious principles and the foundation of Christianity, it would be highly unlikely for Jesus to condemn any of his children for loving another person. In fact, the theological virtue of love is deemed to be the greatest of all virtues, in 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul writes, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love,” .

Above all, God is love, and it was in this love that God was made manifest among us. Jesus himself taught his followers to love one another as he loved them. Therefore, it would be reasonable to think that he would not ostracize or persecute someone on the basis of their sexual orientation or romantic preferences.

The bible states that God would be more likely to provide protection and shelter to those who have been persecuted, just like how He Himself was persecuted. His tormentors chose to be ignorant, hateful, and violent towards Him, even though He had done nothing wrong. Sadly, the same unjust treatment is still faced by many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community in our so-called “progressive” society today

Matthew 5:10–12 (NIV) is one example of scripture which confirms this notion stating:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

It is not Christ’s intention for us to be ignorant, intolerant, or critical of others, nor does it teach us to do so through his commandments. Instead, under his principles and enlightened outlook, which is righteous and holy, we are taught to seek understanding and show empathy for one another. In his teachings, Jesus would condemn those who display ignorance, indifference, shame and cruelty in a sinful way.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel comfortable with something that is different for you because we are all children of God. Perhaps you should ask yourself why that is? What exactly is it that bothers you about two people being in love? How can you misconstrue a beautiful expression of love into something repugnant and offensive just because it involves two individuals of the same gender? Doesn’t the Bible emphasize the importance of identifying ourselves by our inner selves rather than our physical bodies?

Are we not our flesh, but our spirit?

On what grounds do you feel entitled to criticize another with such untrue and disgusting statements? At the minimum it is unbecoming of a Christian to even consider such impure thoughts as it is to even silently pass judgment on another one of God’s children.

Furthermore, It is wholly unacceptable and intolerable to condone speech that incites hatred, division, cruelty, and the persecution of innocent people. Those who spread hateful and offensive statements should not feel justified or proud in doing so. It’s important to remember that all forms of promoting hatred, regardless of the platform or medium used, are equally wrong. This includes making anti-LGBTQ+ comments or sharing disparaging memes on social media, participating in rallies with offensive picket signs, or using any media outlet to perpetuate persecution. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant these actions may appear, they all contribute to the mistreatment of innocent people. Therefore, none of it can be justified or considered Christian. It’s important to take responsibility for our words and actions and strive to promote positivity and acceptance instead. Your God given right to free speech is not a license to speak with an evil tongue.

This behavior is a major contributing factor, if not the most predominant factor which contributes to the ongoing and ever rising epidemic of violence inflicted upon innocent people within the LGBTQ+ community. From a young age and throughout adulthood, these members of our society are constantly faced with instances of mistreatment, discrimination, inaccurate stereotypes, exclusion, bullying, threats, physical attacks, and sadly far too often fall victim to homicide.

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”-James 1:26 (NIV)

This behavior is the absolute antithesis on which the foundation of Christianity is based, the misconceived notion that such behavior is permissible due to an inaccurate understanding of His word and teachings is in flagrantly poor taste and ignorant to the multitude of intiquites it produces. For those aware of the divisiveness and anger that generates but still out of pure ego’s sake defiantly continue to proclaim such things and profess that they are doing so in the name of all that is righteous and holy. These people are not just shaming innocent people, but seem to be blatantly ignorant to the fact that in fact, they are truly only shaming themselves and behaving in a fashion which opposes everything that it means to be a Christian. Jesus would never approve of such behavior and if you are truly in tune with Jesus, his beautiful heart, his pure love for all, and his teachings, you would know this without question

As they condemn, inflict undue shame and continue to perpetuate divisiveness among God’s children. So flagrantly feel justified to tout off these misinterpretations of Christianity and the very foundational belief that Jesus Himself taught and stood for. Often not only do they seem justified but proud to be such an ignorant Threat and imposition to a group of people who have never and could never cause the many harm or infringe on their rights to a peaceful existence however in turn again another twist of iron here that they are ignorant to they it’s themselves are the one infringing on these LGBTQ+ members of our society who are equal Americans taxpayers law-abiding citizens and they are the ones who are in fact not only having their right to a peaceful existence infringed upon and in a great fashion at that, but they are also faced with harm on so many levels due merely to the fact that some ignorant people to cling to their misguided bias of others due to a lack of information and understanding reinforced by false religious prophets and leaders, pseudo media networks who perpetuate such ignorance for ratings and audience appeal.

How can we justify the lack of criminalization for mainstream media, political speeches, or any other divisive forms of communication that lead to detrimental outcomes such as discrimination and, ultimately, violent hate crimes? Despite the current First Amendment jurisprudence, which allows hate speech to be criminalized when it directly incites imminent criminal activity or involves specific threats of violence against individuals or groups, it seems that these harmful forms of expression continue to evade legal consequences.
Research indicates a disturbing trend wherein extremist politicians and their allies are orchestrating a well-coordinated campaign targeting LGBTQ+ children. This campaign has resulted in a staggering 400% increase in anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech across various social media platforms. While the motives behind hate crimes may not always be clear, it is disheartening to note that approximately one out of every five hate crimes committed in the United States in 2020 targeted LGBTQ+ individuals. These campaigns are propagated by far-right rhetoric, evangelical Christian groups, and white nationalists. It is concerning that mainstream media, political figures, and conservative lawmakers are seemingly endorsing these harmful ideologies. However, the research does not establish a direct link between mainstream media or political anti-LGBTQ+ speech and the surge in violent hate crimes.

It has gone on far too long now that we have sat back, looked the other way and bitten our tounges in the midst of such sadistic behavior to those who do not deserve it.

How long shall we allow these misguided perpetrators of such hate speech and misinformation to continue condemning our fellow Americans without themselves being outwardly condemned?

Not only are the facts of which they state erroneous but they are dangerous and will lead to only to further damaging effects but ultimately to the downfall of not only the LGBTQ+ community, but to the entirety of our society.

How much longer shall we remain silent, failing to raise our voices against the profound injustice inflicted upon our fellow citizens? It is not merely a matter of speaking out against the unfair treatment they endure, but also acknowledging the tragic loss of human life. Each time one of God’s children, an innocent human being and an American citizen, who happens to identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, is unjustly taken from us, we must ask ourselves: How much longer can we tolerate this? It is time to break the silence and demand justice for all.

In this day and age, it is inconceivable and unacceptable for anyone to argue or present a logical case that justifies tolerating the intolerable. The time for silence and fear of backlash has passed. It is imperative that we collectively denounce and put an end to this behavior immediately. We must condemn those who perpetuate harm upon innocent individuals in our society due to their own ignorance. Failure to do so will only allow this hatred, violence, and division to persist and escalate into something even more sinister. What price are we willing to pay for this?

Allowing the tolerance of dehumanizing and unethical behavior is not only unconstitutional, but also morally wrong. There is no harm in who someone loves, and it is shocking to see the amount of tolerance given to false religious leaders, corrupt politicians, and media outlets spreading dangerous misinformation. This behavior infringes upon the peaceful existence of fellow Americans, and it is disheartening to witness the lack of action from all political parties, regardless of religious affiliation. We must all stand up against this ignorance and hate that is now considered acceptable in society.

It is as dangerous and intolerable as a bomb threat or the actions of the Ku Klux Klan. Any act promoting violence or hate towards innocent members of society is unquestionably immoral. The issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals have been wrongly used as political talking points or manipulated by religious leaders. None of this behavior is justified or permissible, and we cannot remain silent. We cannot leave those who are being discriminated against to fight for their rights alone.

These self-proclaimed Crusaders who spread mistruths and fearmonger with illogical viewpoints are the ones causing harm, not the innocent LGBTQ+ individuals they target. Claiming to act in the name of religion, they fail to understand that the Bible does not condone condemning or judging one another.

It is shockingly ignorant to condemn LGBTQ+ individuals and deny them a peaceful existence. These individuals embody ideals such as peace, love, tolerance, acceptance, unity, equality, and kindness, which are all holy and beautiful. The crusades against them are contrary to the teachings of our Lord and Savior. Denouncing, persecuting, and spreading hate among God’s children is the opposite of what Jesus stands for. It is a shame that this is so terribly misunderstood, and even worse, that some proclaim to do such deeds in the name of the Lord. Our Lord would find favor with those who navigate through life with dignity despite the unjust burden of shame placed upon them. The shame should be on those who act against love and peace, the very foundations of Christianity, while falsely claiming to do so in the name of God.

It is truly remarkable how these individuals, burdened with various forms of ignorance, manage to maintain their dignity. Their unwavering composure in the face of persecution and verbal abuse resembles the strength exhibited by Jesus when he was subjected to stone-throwing and derogatory slurs. In retrospect, we now understand the grave error committed against Him. Despite possessing the knowledge of the ultimate truth and the power to rightfully correct their wrongdoers, Jesus never retaliated or resorted to spitting in their faces. He chose to walk with nobility, courage, and grace, uttering the profound words, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do. While this perspective may unsettle some, it prompts introspection. Why is it that these men and women, who display Christlike behavior by tolerating daily ignorance, face scolding, persecution, and even violence from a young age for simply loving someone? Meanwhile, I cannot help but admire their resilience as they navigate through life. I have never witnessed a violent protest or heard of incidents where groups of ignorant bullies were attacked by gay individuals. This stark contrast should speak volumes about who is truly in the wrong.

Mathew 7:1–2 states “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

John 7:24 states “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

As here He says we are to judge, but He mitigates it with instruction on how to judge, just as in Matthew 7 above.

Certainly, we are to analyze — judge — what is right or wrong, based on the mind of God as expressed in His Word. How we apply that judgment to others is critical, for Christ will take the same attitude with us that we take with others.

“As you do unto others, so shall it be done unto you!”spoken by Jesus in Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12; “Golden Rule.

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