Reponse to the Salvation Army's statement about LGBTQ

I swear these blogs always start as a Facebook status, and turns into something so much bigger within minutes.

Before reading this blog post, you should take a few seconds to read this article regarding the Salvation Army and their stance on gay rights.  My blog is a reflection of that article and so you may not understand what I'm saying if you haven't read the article.

http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/6/10/salvation-army-says-gays-need-to-be-put-to-death

This article is so unbelievably sad. This, among so many other examples, (Fred Phelps, Churches who preach hate and fear) are the reason so many Christians are leaving the church and turning away from God completely.

The thing is, we all have our own personal beliefs. Some Christians believe homosexuality is a sin, while others don't. Just like we believe things for many reasons that are not related to religion at all.

The problem is, when your religious beliefs state that people should die, and you feel as though something like homosexuality is worth preaching about in every setting, and that it is worth putting in your pamphlet, then there's the problem. We can't condemn people for their personal opinions or beliefs, JUST like they can't condemn others for their sexuality or sexual orientation.

What's really sad, is they haven't figured that out yet, just like most of the world's population. The whole entire point of the salvation army is HELPING people who have nothing, and ministering to the poor. . So why on earth do their beliefs about homosexuality even have to be relevant in their work, their pamphlet or their training?

We need to start leaning to respect and love people for who they are.  I can assure you that My relationship with Jesus is built on LOVE not FEAR. MY GOD, is a loving God, who isn't waiting for a lightening bolt in hand, waiting to strike us every time we sin.  He sent his son to die on the cross for us so that OUR SINS would be forgiven.  That's not to say that he isn't disappointed in me when I sin, and doesn't want the best for me, but this whole "dictator, evil, fearful, tormenting God" that people have drawn a picture of over the years, is not at all what he's like.

Do you really think God created everybody in his own image, JUST to tell us that we couldn't be who we are? Do you really believe that Sexuality/Orientation is a choice?  And before you answer yes, take a few minutes to think about the oppression that LGBTQ youth and adults feel on a daily basis.  I have friends that have been kicked out and disowned for their sexuality.  In Russia, people are being tortured and KILLED for their sexuality.  Do you really believe that somebody would CHOSE to be gay or Trans gender, knowing what they may face?

Seriously people.

LOVE              LOVE
   is          =          is
LOVE              LOVE

We REALLY need to start sharing the LOVE of God.
We need to stop using religion as an excuse to HATE what we don't understand. 

And to the salvation army, you're sharing God's LOVE, his just JUDGEMENT.... but your OWN judgement and opinions are getting in the way.  There are many other outlets for helping others, and many people are going to find more INCLUSIVE places to give their money.