Why be bent out of shape by LGBTQIA+?

Adapted from The Why Files

The late Fred Phelps and his followers became infamous for their picketing with signs declaring, “God Hates Fags.” Phelps message and methods have been condemned by both religious and non-religious. (See God hates hate). But, why does God—and many of those who profess to follow Him—seem so bent out of shape about homosexual behavior? Here’s my theory for your consideration.

God’s very image is expressed in the marriage relationship between a man and woman.

In the creation story, “God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” I believe that God’s character and personality are so wonderfully complex that he had to make two different genders to express his “image.” Male and femaleness together reflect various aspects of an incredibly complex Being.

If we visualize God as a triangle, Figure 1 illustrates how both genders are necessary to fully express God’s character. Divorce is one way to disfigure the image of God (Figure 2).

God’s very image is distorted in a union between the same sexes.

Jesus seems to say that there are several possible reasons that people may not have a normal relations with the opposite sex: “Some are born without the ability to marry and some are disabled by men and some refuse to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 19:12 The Living Bible). There may be biochemical reasons for a homosexual orientation or environmental causes such as neglect or sexual abuse. For this reason, the Bible doesn’t condemn one for his or her sexual orientation.

Perhaps God gets so bent out of shape over homosexual behavior because his very image is bent out of shape. (See Figure 3.)

The Bible is also clear, though, that divorce or homosexual acts are not unforgivable sins. And they are not the only sins the Bible condemns. (Hate and gossiping are also addressed in strong terms.) God loves each and everyone and wants each relationship to express his character of love.

There are many other complex issues that surround divorce and homosexual behavior. I’ve only address two issues, but two that I believe are crucial: God’s very image is expressed in the marriage relationship between a man and woman and God’s very image is distorted in a union between the same sexes. That’s why, not only is God’s image bent out of shape, but millions of human lives as well.

At least it’s something to think about. And contrary to hateful Web sites, God loves you whether you’re straight, gay, bisexual, transgendered, etc. etc. etc.

Painting: Martin Grohs’ Salvador-Dali-inspired self-portrait

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