I came across a very impactful video. I’ve heard the song a number times before, but the video makes is so much more meaningful. So, I felt inspired to diverge a bit from my regular bashing of religious truth claims and discuss how religion shames and discriminates people (either blatantly or subconsciously).
The Christlike teachings claim that “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. Love them completely and unconditionally. There is no fine-print or footnote that says “Love others as long as they believe in a particular religion and follow all the commandments”. And now I’m sure there are at least a few of you who are thinking the same thing I thought when I was religious - But I do love everyone with Christ like love, I love the sinner and hate the sin. There are a number of problems that I’ve realized with this logic. Imagine that you love your dog, but you hate his poo. So, your unknowing sick dog innocently takes a big soft dump on the carpet and as punishment you shove his nose it and remind him that poo is evil. Now your dog is conflicted with inner shame of his evil poo which is so natural in his life.
The Bible says we are all sinners, but for some, the “sin” is so naturally part of the person's life. It can be difficult to hate a sin that is entirely a part of someone's life. They might live a self conflicted life of shame believing that what they are is evil. I was born with blue eyes and a heterosexual orientation. I don’t feel the need to repent for the fact that I was naturally born with blue eyes or my god-given sexual needs. I also strongly feel that sexuality is just as important to human survival as breathing, eating, sleeping, and instinctively perpetuating one’s DNA. To live a life of complete abstinence from others or yourself is to have an improper health balance of physical - emotional - mental wellbeing. If a particular trait is labeled as evil sin then it is hard not to feel as if you are also evil.
When I was religious I viewed people as righteous and wicked, good and evil, saints and sinners. Sure, I loved the sinner, but I still labeled their natural born actions as evil shame. Now that I don’t believe in a god or a devil I only see people as moral and immoral. I’ll extend the discussion of what it means to be “moral” in a later article, but for now I will state that all LGBTQ behavior does not register as immoral. Rape is immoral. Consent is ok. All love is beautiful.
Here is how I see the big difference. In one scenario I say to my friends or family I love them, but I don’t support their evil behaviors and I subconsciously or blatantly shame them. OR, in another scenario I say that I love them unconditionally AND I also support their choices and behaviors that are so intrinsic to who they are and what makes them happy and healthy. The challenge between being able to love the sinner and hate/support this sin, is dependent on how you define “sin” versus what is moral/immoral which differs between theologies.
Empathy is a very powerful Christ-like attribute. As you watch the following video, imagine being the main character. What is he thinking and feeling? Perhaps there’s a personal life experience you can draw from. Love one another - no conditions.
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