Love and Let Love

Above all, God teaches us to love one another, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. So how come the church has a long-standing history of not accepting members of the LGBTQ+ community?

As a young person at St. Matt’s, I know that—now more than ever—if the Bible teaches us to love, that means we love everybody, no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. In the book of Peter, it says “there is no fear in love.” So why is it normal for LGBTQ+ peoples to not feel safe to love who they want?

I think that being a Christian means that I have chosen to actively support, accept, and love everyone regardless of their differences. As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I know that I have the support of my family and friends who love me unconditionally for who I truly am. But I also know that so many people do not feel safe being who they are because of the fear of judgment and resentment from society.

So, if only God can judge us, then doesn’t judging someone because of their sexuality mean you are putting yourself above God?

There has been a lot of debating around the topic of the Anglican church allowing same-sex marriages in all churches, as the marriage canon has not been changed to include all types of love. To be quite honest, I feel embarrassed as a Christian that not all churches would allow me to be my true authentic self. Marriage between two women or two men is no less valid than marriage between a man and woman.

Sexuality is not a choice, the same way we cannot choose our height or eye colour, they are all parts of us that make us special in God’s eyes. We as a church need to continue to grow and educate ourselves in order to be advocates who support the LGBTQ+ community.

By Cassidy Thompson