Slavery and Homosexuality

I sat in the darkened theater and watched the credits for Lincoln. "Congress must never declare equal those whom God created unequal," echoed in my thoughts. How could the citizens of our country be blind to the evils of the possession and suppression of another human being? Slavery was an accepted practice throughout the cultures of the ancient world, too. In the time of Jesus, slavery was the primary source of the economy of the Roman Empire. Of the entire population, 75 percent was slave class.

The system of slavery was such a common part of the Greco-Roman culture that even the New Testament had no direct prohibition against it. Unfortunately, people still live in fear of homosexuality, as people lived in fear of giving slaves their basic rights. Pope Benedict XVI, during his annual peace message for World Day of Peace called gay marriage a "threat to justice and peace," revealing his own biased fears.

Justice is a central theme that is pervasive throughout the Bible. The scriptural idea of justice is based in the truth that all human beings have dignity and worth and are children of God. Justice in scripture calls for the fair and equitable distribution of life's necessities. Gay men and lesbian women are often denied the fair and equitable distribution of life's necessities because of their sexuality. They experiences housing, employment and health care discrimination to name a few.

The Federal Fair Housing Act does not protect gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of homes. In 34 states, it is still perfectly legal for lesbian and gay employees to be fired simply because their employers discover, and disapprove of, their sexual orientation. According to the American Medical Association denying civil marriage based on sexual orientation contributes to health care, health insurance and survivor benefits disparities.  How are lesbians, gay men and their families to experience "Justice" if they are denied life's necessities?

The Hebrew word for "peace," shalom, is a blessing of God that provides wholeness, balance, completeness, health and happiness (Lev 26:6). Peace also means the absence of hostilities and war (Josh 10:1-4; Rev 6:4). The widespread prejudice, discrimination, and violence to which lesbians and gay men are subjected are significant mental health concerns and life stressors.  According to the American Psychological Association:  How are lesbians, gay men and their families to experience "peace" if they are subjected to violence, discrimination and prejudice?

The only threat to "Justice and Peace" is the misguided fear created by the Church's hierarchy towards the homosexual community. The homosexual community becomes the "Other" and then feared by good people.   

In 1852, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was published, which helped laid the groundwork for the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves. The novel depicted the realities of slavery while also asserting that Christian love could overcome something as destructive as enslavement of human beings.  As gay men and women, we too must tell our stories, while asserting that Christian love will one day overcome the prejudice, discrimination and violence we experience.

To my heterosexual brothers and sisters, studies of prejudice, including prejudice against gay people, consistently show that prejudice declines when members of the majority group interact with members of a minority group.  We need you, to come together with us, so as to share our stories.  And hopefully, in the sharing of our stories, "my" story will become "your" story and the "Other" will become "Us."  In journeying together, we'll be one step closer to "Justice and Peace" for all.

Peace and all good,
Brother Sun and Sister Moon

Visit the IMDb Website for more information on the Oscar nominated best picture Lincoln.

Personal Reflection:
Have you ever experienced prejudice, discrimination and/or violence?  How did you feel?  Feel free to share your story in the comment spaces below.

Who am I, Lord?

The breeze rushed over head, as she frolicked through the leaves. My lungs expanded, as she filled me with life. The sun's warmth touched my cheek as he danced in and out of the trees. The passing stream spoke as it tumbled over the rocks. I felt her midst dampen and cool my skin. The ground beneath me was firm and solid and yet tickled my toes with her blades of grass. Next to me stood the tree strong and outstretched, as life danced about him. I fell to my knees. "Who am I Lord," I said.

Moments before I had stepped out into the midday sun with my guitar strapped to my back. I had started to softly strum and sing to the tree a traditional Navajo prayer. I then felt an interior voice say, "Stop, and listen to how we praise God." In that moment all of creation was praising God through simply being what God had created it to be. It needed no words, no song, or dance, it simply was.

The Word of God, written in creation was calling forth my authentic self, "Who are you, my son?" Franciscan theologian Blessed John Duns Scotus from the 13th century believed each created thing, in its own special way, was the total image of its creator. It expressed not some aspect of God, but his beauty as a whole. Unfortunately, I like other gay men and women learned from an early age to hide our true selves and thus the image we were created in; the image and likeness of God.

I hid because I learned that hiding was a means to survival. Exposure to overwhelming shame at an age when you are not psychologically capable of handling it is disabling. I became consumed with the task of hiding this fundamental truth about myself. Every step down the hall, how I spoke, how I sat, how I moved, everything was scrutinized. I lived in constant fear that others would see through my façade. And they did.

Avoidance of shame became the single most powerful, driving force in my life. Consequentially, a struggle with depression and anxiety because of it.  It would be the Word made manifest in nature that would call me to a journey of honesty with myself and others. "Who am I, Lord?" would become my entry point to begin the healing process.  And it is a journey that we must all take regardless of our sexuality.

When we choose to no longer hid our true selves, the journey may also become difficult for our parents, families and friends, too. Our families and friends will experience a wide spectrum of feelings.  It's important to acknowledge these feelings as normal.  They may feel relief, anger, fear, guilt, shame, pride and may mourn.  Allow them the space and freedom to experience these feelings.

Finally, to parents, families and friends of the LGBT community, you need to know, your friend or child did not tell you about their sexuality to hurt you or create distance. They told you out of love and trust with a desire for honesty, intimacy, and closer communication. It is out of respect and love they have told you.  Do not forget that.

Peace and all good,
Brother Sun and Sister Moon

For more information for Catholic parents trying to cope with the discovery of homosexuality in their adolescent or adult child read the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops pastoral message, "Always Our Children."

Personal Reflection:
Think of a time when you hid or denied your sexuality? How did you feel? Feel free to share your experience in the comment spaces below.

St. Francis and the Leper

I sat on his couch frozen, unable to speak or move.  “I can wait,” he said.  I stared at him trying to speak those simple words.  I repeated the words in my head.  Why could I not vocalize them?  He stared at me and I grew more frightened.  "Can you say it, I am loved and lovable,” my therapist said.  Confronted with my dark secret, kept hidden even from myself, a tear formed and gently fell.  I could not.

Early abuse suffered at the hands of my peers, “You faggot!”  Coupled with fears of rejection by my parents.  I can still hear my father bristle, “Stop walking like that,” as he grabbed my hips.  Hearing the news anchor state, “Last night a gay man was severely beaten and left for dead,” engrained in a child one very cruel lesson:  There was something about me that was essentially unlovable.

I often wonder if the lepers of Jesus’ time internalized this same message, “I am unloved and unlovable.”  [Read my blog Leprosy and Homosexuality] How could they not?  The people of Jesus' time thought leprosy was a punishment from God.  They were forced to live separate from the community.  They were deprived of human touch.  Their friends and families looked on with disgust at their disfigured bodies covered in scales, sores, and ulcers.

St. Francis of Assisi, held these same distorted beliefs about leprosy.  Not much had changed from Jesus’ time, even though Jesus stood against these beliefs.  But it was the leper that transformed St. Francis of Assisi.  In his Testament he says, “And when I left them, what had seemed bitter to me was turned into sweetness of soul and body.”

To my heterosexual brothers and sisters, what can seem bitter about our children, their homosexuality, can become sweetness of soul and body, if we move beyond our fears and embrace the other, as Francis embraced the leper.  To my gay brothers and sisters, what can seem bitter about ourselves, can become sweetness of soul and body, if we move beyond the negative messages we’ve internalized about ourselves, and embrace our sexuality, as Francis embraced the leper.

We now know that leprosy is not a punishment from God, but a bacterial infection.  We now know that homosexuality is not a disorder.  The American Psychological Association, a scientific and professional organization states:

“Lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are not disorders.  Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology.  Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality.  Both have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding."  

It wasn’t easy for St. Francis of Assisi, of all the things in the world, lepers were those that Francis despised the most.  His cultural expectation was to shun the leper, yet he was moved by something, Love – The Holy Spirit – which called him out of his societal expectation and moved him into a new way of life.  A life defined by compassion, mercy and love.  So it is with us.  We are called by love to live a life defined by it.

We must have the courage to confront the cultural issues of our time, especially those issues surrounding homosexuality.  And like St Francis of Assisi, be moved by love to embrace the other, as ourselves.  After all, we are all made in the image and likeness of God, and we are all good!

Peace and all good,

Brother Sun and Sister Moon

For more information on homosexuality and bisexuality as normal forms of human
sexuality and human bonding visit the American Psychological Association.

Personal Reflection:

Did you ever fear that others might not love you because of your sexuality?  How did that make you feel?  Feel free to share your story in the comment spaces below.

Leprosy and Homosexuality

Pope Francis Embraces a Modern Leper

In Jesus’ time, many thought that leprosy was a punishment from God.  A leper was forced to live separate from the community for fear of the spread of the disease (Num 5:1-4).  They were forced to wear identifiable dress, leave their heads uncovered, and identify themselves as unclean.  They became outcast; cut off from their families, friends and community. 

Today up to 40% of all homeless teenagers are gay or lesbian.  They are our modern day outcast; cut off from their families, friends, and community.  According to one study 26% of gay teens were kicked out of their homes when they came out to their parents.  Another study found that more than one third of youth who are homeless or in the care of social services experienced a violent physical assault when they came out. 

In Mark’s Gospel (Mark 1:40-42), Jesus cures a leper in the gesture of touching him.  At first glance, this story seems to be one of the many cures that Jesus performed in his public ministry.  But on a deeper level, it deals with social exclusion.  Jesus’ culture would have thought Jesus leprous as well after he touched the man who had leprosy.  The Gospel writer is clear, “Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.” Jesus was willing to suffer the social consequences of the touch.  He was willing to stand against the beliefs of his own Judeo faith and touch the leper.  

We now know, as 21st century Christians, that leprosy is not a punishment from God. We would be hard press to find a Christian who would make such a claim.  Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis.  It is believed that 95% of the population is naturally immune to leprosy. 

In today’s society, some people still live in fear of homosexuality, as people lived in fear of leprosy.  However, as 21st century Christians, we now know that homosexuality is not a disorder.  According to the American Psychiatric Association when asked, “Is Homosexuality a mental disorder?” they answered, “No. All major professional mental health organizations have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder.”   Yet, we find that some Christian still live in fear of homosexuality, as Christians lived in fear of leprosy. 

What will it take to help our society overcome this fear?  It will take people like you and me who are willing to suffer the social consequences of reaching out and supporting our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.  As Jesus did with the lepers.  We have to ask ourselves, “Are we willing to stand against the beliefs of our own culture and faith, as Jesus did with his?” 

 

Jesus, responded to the painful situations of his day, with the most loving response called forth; the warmth and comfort of the human touch.  How will we responded to this difficult situations of our day?  Hopefully, with the same warmth and comfort of the human touch and the gentle words, “You are beautifully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God.  And you are good.”

Peace and all good,

Brother Sun and Sister Moon

For more information on gay homeless youth download the following report by the National Coalition for Homeless; "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, An Epidemic of Homelessness."

Personal Reflection:
Think of a time when you became an outcast because of your sexuality.  How did you feel?  Who affirmed you in your goodness?  Feel free to share your experience in the comment spaces below.

Sharing Our Stories

It was 1984, a warm spring day.  My friend’s Phillip, Susie, Shelia and I were headed home after a care free day of school.  We couldn’t wait to get home to watch our favorite TV show, You Can’t Do That on Television. Waiting for the green slime to fall.  “You talk like a girl,” Phillip stated to everyone on the school bus.  “I do,” I said.  “Yes, you do,” he said.  It was the first time I became aware; I wasn’t like the other boys.

Of course the signs were all there.  My family loves telling the stories of my peculiar antics as a toddler.  I insisted on wearing the shoes of the women who came through our door.  Eventually, I adopted my mother lipstick red purse to match my temporary heals.  I was thrilled.  My dad, less so.
 

That day on the yellow school bus was the day I changed.   I became self-conscious.  My understanding of my differentness was only dim at first, but as those early years progressed into adolescences, I became increasingly aware:  I wasn’t like the other boys, and yet, I was like the other boys.  Unlike the stories of other gay men, I excelled at sports.  I was athletic.  There existed within me a duality both male and female. 

I was no longer the carefree young man, who entered those sliding doors.  I stepped off the school bus into a world I feared.  A world that told a child he was unworthy of love.  I became aware of the subtle messages from society.  A message shaped by my own faith tradition.  Who you are is “Objectively Disordered.” 

I wish to share with you my own faith journey.  A journey from feeling unworthy of love, into one of love and self acceptance.  As a gay man who belongs to a Roman Catholic Religious Order, I’ve come to know [in spite of it all] that I am beautifully and wonderfully made in the image and likeness of God. And, I am Good. 

So God created human beings in his own image.

In the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Within me reflects the duality of God; both male and female.  And, I am Good.  It is my hope that we will journey together, share our stories, and allow the God of Love to love us into new life.

This gathering is also meant for our heterosexual brothers and sisters.  We tend to fear the unknown.  They become the other.  It’s human nature.  Our heterosexual brothers and sisters often do not know us.  They experience us as different.  Hopefully, in the sharing of our stories, our stories, will become their stories.  The other will become “Us.” 
 

Peace and all good,
Brother Sun and Sister Moon

Personal Reflection:

When did I first become aware of my “differentness?”  How did I feel?  Feel free to share your story in the comment spaces below.