Breaking through the Darkness

This email was sent to me on January 16, 2004. While this email was written with good intentions, it clearly displays the level of hatred toward gays that is often seen. I have no hatred toward this person, and much of what they’ve said is very thought-provoking. However, I must cut through the religious veneer and respond accordingly. I’ve inserted my comments in bold italics:

David:

I was referred to your website by Claire. I am floored that you could have been sucked in to believing the homosexual lifestyle is in any way pleasing to God.

I’m beginning to think that they read some other website. It’s as if he or she believes that I was just magically drawn into same-sex attraction. This concept is laughable at best.  The image of a great big homosexual demon with a dark vacuum to “suck” in its victims is creative, however.

Besides ignoring what Scripture clearly says about that being an abomination to God, you have chosen to believe the teachings of those who misuse Scripture to give an ok to what they are doing.

Nevermind the years of agonizing, research and study I’ve done on the topic. While I hold true that the Bible is indeed holy Scripture, I do not accept the notion that the Levitical passages are valid for today. That is unless we want to tell every teenager in the world that they’re unclean for a full day after they’ve masturbated.  Or maybe we should start burning witches again?  Or stoning adulteresses? Or why not just go ahead and start stoning people who have male-to-male intercourse? The only abomination here is in the doctrines that modern legalists hold as canon.

The story of David and Jonathan was one of pure love, for sure; but not that which you point to in your relationship with Curtis; that is emotional love...the lust of the eyes. It is the hope of those who engage in homosexual practices that David and Jonathan’s love was sexual because it affirms their own practices. The Bible tells us to love others as we love ourselves...therefore Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul. (God was very open about exposing David’s sins without hiding anything or prettying it up. So, why would he have hidden the homosexuality from us? He would not.) Just as many people were drawn to Jesus because of the power of His person, people were drawn to David because God’s power and anointing rested on him.

Yes, David was an anointed man of God. He was also a man who had extreme sexual dysfunction which is clear in Scripture. It’s amusing that legalists will gloss over the passionate kissing, the frequent sexual allusion and the incredible draw between the two men. The possibility that they were sexual can only be denied by those who want to strip homosexuality from biblical history completely.

One thing is for certain; the sexual standards of David’s kingdom were far different than ours. After all, what would we think of a king who had scores of concubines, dozens of wives, fought wars constantly and wiped out whole cities? Is it really that much of a stretch to think that this young, ruddy king-to-be, who was rejected by his own family MIGHT have had a sexual relationship with another young prince?  I think not.  Nothing’s conclusive to be sure, but the possibility remains.

I recall the Episcopal Church in the early 90’s deciding to put the church’s blessing on same sex relationships...the reason: if enough people do it the church should bless it. The Episcopal Church has long been led astray by the deadly humanism that is infecting many. God’s word does not change...it is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Since I am not now, nor have I ever been a part of the Episcopal church, this entire section is ludicrous. I’m frankly amused at this person’s assumption that love between two people is “deadly humanism.” I would be more amused if it wasn’t so hateful and sad.

Another point made very obvious by your “novel” is that your language is also showing forth the perversion. You chose to be very explicit in “telling it like it is.” That was not necessary coming from someone so in love with God as you have declared to be. His word also speaks to this.

Interesting that this person would point to other writing that I’ve done over the years to “show my perversion,” which has no mention of sex. And PG-rated language by people in crisis situations is of course, “perverted.”  Amazing. I don’t know if I can comment further on this without sounding really condescending, so I’ll leave this hanging right where it is.

By the way, Unification is well in the editing stages and several major rewrites. I'll finish it soon!  Thus endeth the shameless plug...

David, come to your senses and turn around.

If this were real life, this would be an appropriate time to blow a razzberry. How anyone could possibly read my entire memoir without realizing that I DID come to my senses... well, that’s a mystery.

God is just and forgiving of those who come to Him with a humble and sincere heart.

One important note:  Humility is knowing who we are, and knowing who God is. And who we are in Him.  Period.

Yes, God loves you very much, but He will not condone or look upon sin, no matter what form it takes. The Bible says, “Let those who are filthy be filthy still.”

I always enjoy hearing about God’s love just before I’m told I’m filthy. Such Christ-like love just oozes out the seams. Gives me the warm fuzzies.

I also was reminded of your vision of the river which I read a few years ago. Is it still on the net? Get back in the swim and let God take you through that two-edged sword purifying. He only slices off the bad parts.

I think it’s important to note that this person did not bother telling me who they were, and my only indicator was from the AOL screen name, “DaVinedweller.” This entire email only proves the point I made in my memoir, “Bird Legs and Eagle’s Wings,” which states that “religious assumption is merely an excuse for prejudice. Prejudice never sees the truth, only its own perversion of it. Ironically, they’ll accuse gays of perversion.”

“The River of Life” is a vision I had back in 1996 which literally changed my life.  It gave me a whole new paradigm on the reality of God’s love and course for my life, which I’m only now starting to understand. The course of that river is taking me into new directions today.  That course is to reach out to those GLBT Christians or those who are struggling and to reveal the truth that Jesus Christ loves them without reservation.  And that we all have a destiny in Him if we choose that path. Jump in!  

One final note, I’ll re-post some of my earlier writings (including “The River of Life”) after I edit them slightly.