Growing up, homosexuality wasn’t addressed in my religious education — or elsewhere, for that matter. I wasn’t taught that it was bad, not because I had enlightened teachers, but simply because it wasn’t seen as an issue. Or so it seems from what I remember. My experience was that homosexuality was something out there in the greater world, but not an issue for me or the people in my life. (I can see now, though, how coming to terms with being homosexual could be a challenging process when coming out of a similar experience growing up.)
In my religious education I learned about morality. I learned that we are responsible for making good moral choices. And that the Holy Spirit guides each of us. I came to understand that we each are responsible for choosing to do what is right in our own life. The church guides us and helps us, but we, ultimately, are responsible for choosing what’s right.
I also learned that we are not supposed to judge others, that judgment belongs to God. This value is central to who I am. I learned that we are supposed to love one another. Everyone. Love your enemy. If they are human, love them. Loving others and not judging them fit together closely for me.
Along with that, I also always understood homosexuality as something innate. Finding one’s own gender attractive is not something one chooses. And, thus, not something that can be a sin.
Because of all that I came to the viewpoint, as far as looking at and understanding homosexuality, that… [Read more…] about Why I Support Marriage Equality