Open Letter to People of Faith from a Black, Gay Man

Dear People of Faith,

I'm sure a Black, gay male is the last person you want to hear from right now. Before you started reading, you have probably condemned me to the depths of hell. But give me a moment. Please listen to understand and not to respond (even though I, myself, don't have an issue listening to you after).

I am choosing decisively not to come at you with a bunch of scriptures refuting my lifestyle, making me out to be a victim or for you to be the bad guy. I'm writing simply to talk.

In recent events, especially the Supreme Court's decision on marriage equality, I have been berated, beaten up verbally and told my life was pointless by some of the very people I hold dear. Sticking to my aforementioned statement, I'm not upset-- hurt though-- but not upset, because I understand. I understand that I am not what you think or thought I should be for your god. I understand that what I do sexually is so perverse to you that it makes you sick to your stomach. I understand that it is incredulous to think a gay man can be anything other than a beastiality loving rapist. I understand it.

No, I don't. I lied (now, I have sinned). What makes it so important to treat me as if I am inhumane just because our thought processes or beliefs differ? Who gave you that power? I sincerely try to respect the church, it's staff and the elders as I was raised to do, but you all make it hard. Honestly. Even though I am a Christ follower you make me heavily dislike the church.

The church-- same thing that has enslaved you for centuries (and still quite possibly today). The same thing that overlooks many health disparities as people are dying and spaces can't be used for youth functions on Saturdays because there are always funerals. The same thing that turns a blind eye to anything of importance until it's a part of a political agenda. The church.

Whatever happened to the church being a hospital for the lost? Being therapy for the demented? Being the piece of the community that is the rock?

Everybody so DAMN holy these days. Holy and yet everyone still has a little meat on their skeletons. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I'm saying my evangelism, power and abundance go much further than any demon on earth can cast me to hell for.

Everyday I mend broken hearts. Everyday I ease troubled minds. Everyday I bring the energy to change people's moods. Everyday I love people where they are even if they are different from me. And I do it on my own, with no one watching and for no money-- even using some of my own. And, if your god doesn't think I'm good enough for the heaven you "getting me right for" with my honest, impassioned works, then hell, what makes you think you'll get there?

So the next time you feel the need to cast me into hell from my sexuality, I'm simply going to ask how are you going to get me into heaven? And if it's anything-- ANYTHING-- other than show both of us how to love better, I'll leave you in the hell you stand in.

Just for your viewing pleasure, I'll give YOU some things to study so you can stop giving me these Levitical Laws you were read in Vacation Bible School. Do not just read these. Try not to ask your pastor about these until you can understand yourself. STUDY: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 4. By the way, do a google search on "Love the person, hate the sin." You won't get too far. Farthest you will get is a person explaining how it should make sense to you with the understanding he got from an online ordination service for 10 bucks. And, if you do want to decide to "hate the sin", next Sunday speak about yours instead of mine you beautiful angel.

Sincerely,

The Normal Anomaly