On January 8, 2024, I wrote the following to a Seattle Times editor in response to a piece unfairly charging the Christian Church with being full of homophobes.
“Hello N. I did say I would not write again but thought you misinformed enough on the church to send this. Mainly – the church is the Bride of Christ. No one changes the church from the inside. We are not holy enough to correct what God has planned. All are welcomed in the church but lifestyle opposed to the Bible is not condoned. We all show up “missing the mark”, be it sexual sin or envy. “Allowing blessings” is also a manmade device. Only God blesses humanity and He always does what He wants – not what we think He should do. Who cares that voices are being heard like that is a thing. God hears our prayers. Leading to acceptance? God accepts (and the church should too) the person but not the sin. People leave churches for many reasons. The worst reason is that they “no longer find the church to be aligned with their beliefs…”. Again, God does not turn on our whims. Homophobia is an invention of people who want agreement and won’t get it from me. They can try to get it from God but don’t expect the Maker to change because the creation does not abide by God’s design. I don’t hate you but I am running a race to follow Jesus. I don’t have time to hear your excuses for following your rules and not God’s and we don’t need a deeper conversation with each other but do need that with God. I will not agree with your attempt to change what is a good design. Yes, church is community and all are welcome – not on your terms but on God’s terms. Yes, keep meeting with a Pope who can address policy to keep the peace, but no one changes the Bride of Christ. Not all churches are created equal because we are people who miss the mark in honoring God but, do find a church that is not going to try to manipulate God. Equality does not mean your sin is excused.”
