Hate Disguised as God
“Mommy, are we Christian?” she asked me. She has always been fascinated with religion. I answered, “Yeah, technically we are. We are both baptized”. Then why don’t we go to church like my friend’s family does? she asked. “Well, being a Christian is really about what you believe and how you choose to live your life, not about how much you attend church”.
I reminded her of the Christian values and the lessons that Jesus taught on how to live a Christian life, how to walk in God’s foot steps.
I was so unprepared for what came next.
“Mommy, did you know my friend’s family doesn’t like rainbows?” I could feel my chest tighten and the steam rise. “Oh, really?” I said, “and why is that”. My teeth beginning to clench. “They said rainbows are a sign of the Devil”.
There it was.
Hate disguised as God.
My heart sank deep inside my chest.
Of course this wasn’t about rainbows. If it was there would be talk of God’s promise to Noah. Of hope and unconditional love.
This wasn’t about rainbows at all. This was about what rainbows represent for people of the queer community.
It’s about attacking Pride, about dehumanizing queer people as evil to justify their hatred.
“Well, that’s interesting”, I said, “Since rainbows are really just sunlight reflecting through water droplets in the air.”
What happened to Jesus’ teaching on loving your neighbor as yourself and leaving the judgment to God?
Instead these “Christians” are teaching homophobia, judgement and hate.
My poor sweet 7 year old was then subjected to a firey rant about pride, and what it means to be queer. My blood boiling as I explained the term homophobic.
“I know it’s confusing”, I said “some religions claim to be walking in God’s footsteps, but are judging instead”. People get to believe whatever they want to believe. But in our family we believe in love and acceptance of everyone as they are.
Why is it all so fucked? The values are so God damn simple!
Love, peace, joy, kindness, goodness, gentleness, compassion.
Why don’t they see their own hate? What they are teaching their children is hurtful. By claiming Pride and what it represents is the work of the Devil, it leaves judgement and hate as the work of God. That’s fucking backasswards if you ask me!