Sunday, June 17, 2018

Of sexual sins and politics

     When I look at the gay community, especially people of my generation, I see a two edged sword.  We are freer than most people to express ourselves, freer to behave in atypical and unconventional ways. At the same time we may live up to some of the stereotypes society has placed on us, understandably so though.  When you are told you are sexual deviants that cannot have the possibility of fulfilling relationships, you tend to live into that role. It is  self fulfilling prophecy if you will. 

      This evil foisted on us by the majority, the often ignorant straight majority, is changing rapidly. We now know and accept that everyone is capable of longstanding, loving committed relationships. Ironically, it is the straight community that has created evils in relationships. A comedienne once noted that the Bible is used (almost always out of context or misinterpreted) as a prohibition against gays. At the same time she noted, the criticisms and restrictions of heterosexuals in scriptures is far, far more frequent and abundant. She opines that she is not saying straight people are not liked as much as gays in God's eyes but that they certainly seem to require more attention and are more prone to misbehaving. That is paraphrasing but it was very funny and true.

     I can forgive gay people of myriad things they might be guilty of because that is the construct they have been taught by, yes, the erring straight community - creators of bigamy, rape, adultery, misogyny, one night stands, pickup bars and the list goes on. 

      Now the playing field seems to be levelling off a little for everyone. Bad behaviour can no longer be written off. Sexually, personally, politically.  We have the knowledge to know historical and scientific facts to avoid pitfalls, to act better on behalf of ourselves and the planet. All of this is God's created world. We are all brothers and sisters.

       When I think of the sins of today, especially politically in this country I find nothing more that dismissive arrogance.  Politicians acting as if God does not even exist. Misusing God's words erroneously. Misquoting. Mis-interpreting. Using God as a battering ram against our brothers and sisters.  This is the slaves in charge with no thought that the master will return. As Charlton Heston said "it's a madhouse". I can offer no excuses for any of this bad behaviour. It makes anything gays could possibly do pale in comparison. 

        We really have to take back decency in everyone, in every portion of society and the world. It has to start with us. Perhaps anger moving to action, divine action. That is, the Godliness in us all reclaiming the decency and love we are created to mirror and transmit.
Certainly not the evils foisted in God's name by governments and religions.

         Sins of omission and sins of arrogance will likely not be accepted well when the Master returns. No notices, no warnings, no signs. Do good. Love one another.
      


Luke 12:41-48

Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for everyone?’And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says to himself, “My master is delayed in coming”, and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful. That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating.But one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

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