Although a Christian may assume otherwise about me, as I am an anti-theist, & passionately write factual, data-informed essays calling for Christianity to end, because it objectively causes far more harm than any good done by those few virtuous believerslole this one here, & because the evil in its scriptures ensure that the institution of Christianity can not possibly redeemed, *I have been saying this exact sentiment for 28 years since my first day of Class at my Catholic High School, in my advocacy for the neurodivergent, users of criminally prohibited substances, sufferers of chronic pain & mental health conditions.* I have refocused my life's work on establishing a charity to encourage Epistemic Virtues & Justice broadly in society away from focusing solely on Christianity because I have observed that a scarce few Christians do have minds that can be potentially redeemed from dependence on superstition, magical thinking, & vulnerability to exploitation by narcissistic authorities, thanks to their not permanently be crippled by hatred, or self-deception that afflict so many of those who self identify as Christian.
Yes we are all his children and he’s pretty disgusted with all this stuff we are doing He doesn’t make anyone gay or straight or angry or bloodthirsty or anything We choose to be that way That’s free will and that’s what people don’t understand
I'm sorry to hear that! It's sad when they single out the LGBTQIA+ community as if they're the only ones who mess up, that somehow they're the only ones who sin. Living your authentic self should *not* be a reason for "going to the bad place", BUT - there's that word again - we do all deserve to go there cuz of our sinful nature. The GOOD news is that's why Jesus came, to save ALL of us sinners - anyone who calls on His name, including the LGBTQIA+ community. He loves us ALL!♥️ Just remember that!
@@denisemayosky1955 Yeah, this is one of the reasons I am not a Christian-- focusing on "sin" -- which basically just means mistakes-- I don't find it healthy. Yes, we need to recognize our mistakes, and do our best not to repeat them. But what I've learned is that what we put our attention on, grows. So...maybe not such a good idea to spend a huge percentage of our time focusing on our mistakes and the punishment we think we should receive for them. The world might be more beautiful and friendly place if we spent, say, 10% of our time focusing on our errors, and 90% of our time focusing on what we can heal and what we can do to make our portion of the world-- starting with ourselves-- a friendlier and more beautiful place. I agree with Rev Ed: it's not a great idea to act as if sin has power and dominion over us. And it seems to me that saying "we all deserve to go to hell cuz of our sinful nature" is doing just that.
Years ago, I had a Muslim boyfriend. he was from a country with theocratic laws that are deeply discriminatory towards LGBTQIA+ and he was reliant on sponsorship from home to continue his education in the US. Obviously he had to keep our relationship under wraps, but I also had to keep it under wraps, and not just for his sake. My family, my employer and my church would all have dropped me like a hot potato if they found out that I was in a same sex relationship with a Muslim. It was the first (and so far only) same sex relationship I had been in and I didn't expect having to keep it secret from everyone in my life to hurt so much. The casual cruelty of homophobia is something I never saw before personally experiencing it. I left that church I was attending then. Recently I went back for a few weeks and was really disappointed to see how it had embraced the the venomous ideology of Trump and MAGA. That church is beyond any human effort to redeem it. I've walked away for good this time and left it in God's hands, but I don't think God will do anything. These days I think we're on our own and God doesn't care.
@@TestUser-cf4wj That church is just like so many groups of people who are lost. It just happens to be your old church. Being a church means nothing. I choose to believe God is using these places to expose rot everywhere. I think he is using tRump to expose and show people where the rot is. It makes it easier to find a place where real people can help each other. Not these fake christians who gather to hate and pound their holy chests. We are on our own in the respect that we have to search for our people. :)
And expressing the positive in what he's reacting to, as well, every time. I'm not an Anglican but I listen to Ed because despite our denominational difference he's got so much to say that I want the entire church universal to hear.
I'm 3 minutes in, and I just need to say this. It was through prayer and guidance from God that I came out as queer and then trans. I was desperately depressed trying to live within the box that the "church" said I should be in. While reading my Bible, the story of Jacob having to leave his home, lose his family and the promise God made to be with him until God brought him back was the reason I decided to accept that maybe I was created by God this way. After all, before I was in my mother's womb, He knew me. He created me this way, in his image, both male and female. I lost the church, but I NEVER lost Jesus and God. They have been my constant companions through this journey. People who refuse to see the diverse Glory of his creation make me sad. Very possibly a tangent, but I felt like I needed to share that unlike some suggested to me, I was not, in fact, giving up on God. I was cleaving unto him and trusting him to know better than me.
Live your life how you want but I will never willingly kowtow before a god that has caused so many deaths and so much suffering by its inspiration of Leviticus 20: 13. I find your indifference to their suffering deeply saddening.
My pastor has a slogan, even painted on the sign in front of the church building: "We are blessed. We are beloved. We belong to God." By which he means all of us. "God has a way forward for you" is also a wonderful truth for the complacent. For the sanctimonious. For the proud. Jesus never added "except for" to "love your neighbour." And what is Truth? Pilate asks, "QVID EST VERITAS?" And the same letters make up "EST VIR QUI ADEST." - "It is the Man before you." The Truth was right in front of him, and even hidden in his own question, if only he knew where to look.
I once drafted a poem comparing Julius Caesar's VVV--"I came, I saw, I conquered"--with Jesus Christ's VVV--"I am the way, the truth, and the life." I think Jesus knew what he was doing, setting up a comparison with those Latin V's.
I know (in part) the depth of my own sins - enough to know that I have no grounds to judge anyone else. I don't share others' experiences, weaknesses and difficulties. My own are more than I can cope with. Thank you Jesus for your loving redemption.
A member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I get this crap all the time, as if I chose to be gay. A gay person can't choose to not be gay just as a straight person can't choose to not be straight. And it's not a "lifestyle" it's who I am. Thank you for your wonderful words and support Reverend Trevor 💯🩵
My spiritual walk got easier when I realized it's not my job to accuse people of sin. As long as their actions are not harming others, my job is to simply share the love of God with people. After that, if God has a problem with their actions, he'll take it up with them. When I get into debates with church members about if LGBTQ+ is a sin, my answer is always, based on my education of the Bible and history, I don't think so, but I can find comfort in the fact that it's not my job to decide. It never works, their answer is always, "but the Bible says it's sin!", but I keep trying when it's brought up. It's so much easier when you realize your job is just to love.
Exactly. Judge not. When I hear Christian’s judging others, I remind them that according to their own scripture, only ‘God’ can judge. Who are they that they have so little faith in their own God, that they feel the need to step in and impart their own judgement? If they are serious about their walk with Christ, they better go back to church and get on their knees and ask to be changed, because Jesus would be ashamed of their hatred and judgement.
I love my current church, which includes lots of gluttons, the lazy, the gossippy, and yep even Trumpers. Sigh.... fortunately, our pastor doesn't go for any judgment of anyone. But he encourages us all to look at our own issues instead. I know I am blessed mightily for that! 50 plus years of being a Christian and I still get stuck in all my failings. I really need to keep hearing that our God loves all sinners, including me! The best thing I ever heard my last priest say, in response to what he thought about homosexuals, was "please come to church on Sunday. We love you." That was it. Thanks Ed.❤😊
I think the main reason why "God loves you -- BUT" tends to be reserved for LGBTQ people is that if we focus on the sins, real or perceived, of others, it spares us from having to consider our own sinfulness. Martin Luther had this to say in his commentary on Psalm 51 -- "The difference between the true saints and the sham saints is this: The true saints see their transgressions and realize that they are not what they should be and want to be. Therefore they judge themselves and are not concerned about others. The sham saints, however, do not perceive their own wickedness; they imagine they are as they should be. They always forget about themselves and sit in judgment of others."
Once again you pulled me in on this subject. As you know I hope that I am retired Minister I worked in Ministry for over 30 years I am also a transgender person who is one who has struggled for as long as I can remember over the issue of the truth. I am one who has prayed who has worked hard not to be transgender. Let me tell you it does not work. I am who I am and my God loves me just as I am I have prayed as I do most days for the Forgiveness of my sins . I am here to say that God loves all of us regardless what sins we may or may not have committed and that as long as we are willing to live a Godly life the kind of life that Jesus said that we should live we are his children.
@@olivianatwick7603 I am glad for you. Here in Texas, sometimes it is hard to find a church that supports LGBTQ people. In 2017, I found one. Since that day, I think I have missed two services. I came out that year and have been so happy since then.
There was a preacher who was clarifying why LGBTQ was condemned & to associate with them without "telling them the truth" would ensure my condemnation (after all save your is my responsibility 🙄) I began to tear up, realized I was getting angry. I burst into full sobs & cried out "I cannot bring myself to hate them"! Calm, peace & sanity then returned because I remembered The human spirit was created to love & be loved ☮️♾️🌌
Well, Christ never once in four Gospels addresses the issue of homosexuality, but He DOES speak out against adultery, rich people, and those who either neglect or abuse the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, so.....I guess my question is........Does this guy say the same thing to THESE groups? Does he say to the rich man, "You are welcome to come to our church, but we're going to tell you what Christ said about the rich"?
Romans 1:24-27 ESV [24] Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, [25] because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. [26] For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; [27] and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Anytime i see this as a title to a religious message i get scared. Its a form of PTSD and religious truama. I do appreciate that your message is one of acceptance not hate.
I get that too. Trans, bi, atheist myself. A while back, maybe a year or two, I was in one of the Rev's live streams and actually did a super chat (money going to charity) to get some clarification. He is 100% a queer ally. He marries same sex couples. He absolutely supports the community actively. He does not support anti-LGBT rhetoric of any sort. It's so sad that so often we run into truly hateful Christian rhetoric. I've been at the front line at protests having Christians literally screaming in my face that I'm going to Hell. So yeah, I'm careful about what Christians I give my time and ears to.
@@CorwinFoundI think it's sad that only one type of Christian is out in public view right now. And it's the worst kind. I think it's about time that the silent majority (hopefully they are - I'm not sure about that in the USA) raise their voices and tell those hateful people disseminating their hate: "Not in my name!" Unfortunately, those who do that, like Rev. Ed, are largely being ignored by the media. Raging angry ideologues just make for better ratings/more clicks than measured, calm theologians.
@@e.458 Here's my feedback and take it as you will coming from an atheist trans guy. Words don't matter much. Both sides will happily use phrases like, "Not a _real_ Christian." In the end, fighting hateful rhetoric with more accepting rhetoric is as you said, not very effective. So in my experience, action is the answer. Real, impactful action. Out on the front lines of protests I have encountered some truly amazing Christian 2SLGBTQ ally activists. These are people organizing protests, funding queer youth organizations, and sometimes literally putting their bodies between the bigots and queer folk. You know what they aren't doing? Talking about their religion, evangelizing the the gays, or making queer issues about religion. They aren't talking about trans folks going to heaven, they are talking about supporting queer positive school board candidates and _not_ just Christian ones. If as a Christian you want to help queer folk? Leave out the Christianity. Maybe that is what inspires you to help but out in the real world your beliefs don't create change. Your actions do.
I'm gay and so was my twin brother, David. My brother was murdered shortly after graduating from nursing school. After Davids funeral a woman came up to me and told me that his murder was a message from God letting me know that my brother is now in Hell for being gay and I am going there to be with him if I don't change!!! I never had such a hateful, judgemental thing said to me!!! 🌈
In my idea of the afterlife people like the person who was so cruel after your brother’s funeral are fully surprised when they end up where they don’t think they will.
I couldn't bring myself to "like" your comment - devastating. I'm not gay, but I've had loads of friends L, G, B. What utterly astounds me is the shear number of suicides in the community - including people that sincerely touched my life. I don't "believe" - I actually KNOW what the root cause was. It was dirty, rotten christians thrusting their theoretical theology on people that simply want to enjoy life and hurt no one. Peace brother
When i hear someone talk about the "sin" of being LGBTQ, I ask them to tell me the secret of how they're able to meet the standard Jesus sets in Matthew 25's parable of the sheep and goats. I tell them that I've been a Christian all my life, and I dont even come close. I would be really hesitant to point a finger at someone else.
Trans, bi, atheist guy here. My understanding of your words is a softer version of, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." The idea that it's not your place to judge others, even, "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?" A nice enough sentiment, at least compared to violence, but it seems like you do see being queer as a splinter. A sin, a problem, something. By choosing to not judge gay, trans, or other queer folk for being queer, you are being righteous, but still, deep down you believe that being queer is inherently a judgeable offense, even if you don't actively do it. As a person with very close Evangelical, fundamentalist Christian family, I have to say that I prefer outright hate over what feels like pious, sanctimonious condescension. It is a literal holier than thou attitude that wants the benefits of having bigoted attitudes without the shame of acting overtly hateful. If I've misinterpreted your words, please let me know and feel free to explain how.
@@CorwinFound If one can *"love the sinner, but hate their sin",* one can also *"love that believer, but hate their belief".* *BTW there is no science *“proving heterosexuality”* nor is there any *”straight”* gene either.
@@CorwinFound In no way do I endorse , the "hate the sin, love the sinner" BS, which I tried to convey by putting "sin" in quotes. I despise arrogance, and I find that trait way too common in Christians. The Bible makes it clear that followers of Jesus are to love their neighbors, feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, welcome the stranger, and forgive. Never are we called on to judge anyone else. My point was to remind Christians that most of us aren't even capable of meeting Jesus' standards, so we really should not be looking outside of ourselves for things to criticize in others.
@@juliachildress2943 I guess what I'm asking is this. Is being gay or trans (in your understanding) any further from Jesus's standards than being straight and cis? Yes, I hear you that judgement is very unChrist-like. You are saying you wouldn't judge say a shoplifter because maybe it's a matter of food for their kids or not. But I think you would say that all other things being equal, stealing is less Christ-like than not stealing. Does your lack of judgement of queer folk fall into the category of not judging people who steal out of necessity or not judging people for their race, mental capabilities or other inherent traits? I know this sounds nitpicky. But the reality is that "I don't judge" often covers a fundamental belief that queer identities fall further down the closest to Jesus ladder than cis/het identities. Basically, "I don't judge anyone. Not thieves, adulterers or queer folk." You can see the category that 2SLGBTQ people are being put into with that statement.
The pastor who has a specific Truth for the people he judges is trying to act as a gatekeeper, to keep the ones he judges as sinners out of the church.
There is no place in the Kingdom of God for "they's." There are only "we" in the place where the perfect God is with, loves and has blessings intended for us.
Thank you Rev. All the hating from churches has made me surprised and so sad. Its so good to hear you talking about nothing but love, because that's the good Lord I know. May your words soothe many hearts 💖💖💖
Gawd...if I lived in Scotland, I'd go to your church...sadly I live in the US where hate of others in church is the norm, now....reason why I stopped going to church, i still believe in Christ and pray every night and day. Thank you for your message!!!
I wrote in my latest book a religious fanatic that attacks gays based on Leviticus. Her opening scene has her with a dish with rice and rabbit meat, bacon, shrimp and blood pudding.
Wow, I am so impressed by your message. I just wish others feel the same way. I grew up in the Methodist Church, and I remember people making fun of others that were different, whether it be their sexuality, race, or something else. It really bothers me when people do hateful things to others in the name of Jesus. Jesus would never do that.💔
This is such a beautiful message. If there was more teaching that some things may be sinful for me but not for you because I am valuing that more than serving God and following His word, we would be less judgmental and more welcoming.
I listened to a wonderful presentation by someone who was not supposed to graduate high school, let alone go on to college as he did. The word "BUT" negates anything said before that word, positive or negative.
I always found the idea that mutual love is a sin, as a very strange concept. I can see why rape is a sin, I can see why assault is a sin, I can see why theft is a sin. However so long as both people are mature enough to understand what their doing, consent, no one is coerced and respect one another equally. I don't see how it can be wrong.
You’re absolutely right. A minister shouldn’t single gay people out. They should preach that all sinners should repent and accept Jesus as their personal savior, witness to gay people in a loving way.
I mean, yeah… I go to church and hear about envy, about anger, about bitterness… and I keep going, even though I have and will continue the struggle against these things. I hear that I should love my neighbor and I embrace the concept and remain afraid to even speak to most of them. The whole need no physician.
Yeah, I came out a few months ago. Sixty six, and I've lived a straight woman's life with two dink marriages in the mix. I don't care about that Methodist minister, though. I've been hearing most of my life that my sister went to hell because suicide. I've been hearing all my life that my mom would go to hell because she was a Christian Scientist. I've been disabled for thirty years and I've heard that's because of my sin, too. I'm a little tougher than that ol' boy knows, so he can bring it at his convenience.
As a Christian, we’re not consistent in practicing what we preach. Churches consistently hammer on gays and get into specifics but I never hear churches going on rants about greed. My guess is because most people in there are Republicans and not gays, that has something to do with it.
No where in the Bible does it condemn same sex couples.Lev 18:22 refers to rape, not same sex couples. During the process of translating the text from Hebrew to English the meaning got grossly distorted. The word miškevēis was omitted during the translation affecting the meaning. Rule of thumb, if you don’t understand what the verse means, it is a bad idea to make it into a law oppressing millions of people. So much of the great text has been lost and mistranslated. Be kind to all, treat people how you want to be treated. Everything else is just noise and harmful judgement
@@downenout8705 what version of the bible are you referring to as there are over 50 different versions with vague and incomplete translations. Don’t pretend to understand something that doesn’t make sense as it puts you and others in harms way. It is not up to you or me to judge what others do with consent. The bible at best is incomplete and vague
@@josephlogan7639 How about the International Children's Bible? I think it is very much you who is pretending to know something that is not what is plainly written. This book is supposed to be inspired by the all powerful creator of the universe, it's asinine to suggest that such a god is incapable of ensuring that it's message is properly preserved. If that god doesn't want children to read Leviticus 20: 13 as it's written then that god needs to do something about it. All you have done is reduce your holy book to a collocation of stories written by iron age sheep herders trying to make sense of and control the world around them. If you truly want to be accepting of the LGBTQ+ community consign your holy book to the dustbin of history.
@@downenout8705 if this was truly inspired by God then why are there so many different versions? Did God make a mistake? Perhaps it is people who are in a position of power that manipulate the bible for their own selfish advantage over others. There are so many inconsistencies to accept everything at face value. Practice the golden rule instead of pretending that you understand everything
@@josephlogan7639 No where do I say that I know everything. I am simply reading Leviticus 20: 13 and pointing out the depravity of what is plainly written. If the words of your god have been altered by powerful men, then you no longer reliably know what your god's word is, so perhaps you should stop pretending that you do.
Here's an observation, I have never had anyone from the LTBQ community come to my house and knock on my door and tell me that I must live my life like them or I'll suffer consequences. Guess who I have more time for? Love Rev Ed.
Honestly , one of the reasons I have issues with most churches is this subject. The way being LGBTQ + is equated to sins like murder . And it’s has been “you’re welcome to our church and hopefully you will see your sin and change who you are.”I’m a straight grandma, married over 30yrs. And equating love and knowing who you are with a sin like taking a life was something I could never rationalize and be comfortable supporting. I was worried that was where this was going.And relieved it wasn’t because I have been listening and trying to find my way back to religion and my faith.My family was Southern Baptist .My husband is Catholic.So there was a lot of judgement and demonization going on.I had to walk away from that.
To those that say they 'love the sinner but hate the sin", I have a few words, too. I once found myself on a road trip, and in conversation with the cousin of my partner, a Catholic believer. The conversation turned to being gay, and what he believed, that "It's not a sin to BE gay, but it is a sin to act on it." I asked him to "Stick with me on this for a minute. Imagine that the table was turned - that it was considered 'sin' to be attracted to the opposite sex. You are pressured to suppress that attraction, and ONLY be romantically involved with other men. Marry one of them, and live a lie." "I couldn't do it!" "Get it"?" Sin, schmin. The obsession with other people's love/sex lives is ridiculous to me, as a gay atheist. Decades ago, in my late teens, I realized that IF there was a god that condemned people for loving, that's a god that should be the loneliest, most vilified god in the universe. I wanted nothing to do with it.
I've come to believe Agape. That, to me is God's "love" (in quotes because us humans use that term, myself included. But it doesn't mean the same to every person. It's extremely limited imo). Agape isn't. And it has nothing to do with US. It's not dependent on anything we do, think, believe etc. It's all God. That "love" is unconditional. Full stop.
I was thinking the same thing. This is the truth for EVERYONE. We are all SINFUL, born that way, and in need of salvation. Sin may present differently , but we all have it.
I read something in a Wayne Dyer book the other day that said something like "All things come from God; if the message is of unity then it is of God, if the message is of division it is not of God." Maybe it's over-simplified, perhaps even naïve, but I find comfort and peace in this simple, all-encompassing perspective.
Wonderful and loving message. Much appreciated! Separating any one or any group to be "less than" or "sinners" is for me judgmental and unloving. Many people seem to have a need to feel superior to others through multiple layers of created separations. In my opinion this is likely just to boost one's ego. Humanity will eventually understand that love, with no subtractions, is the answer. And, I must say that you, Rev Ed Trevors demonstrate and shine your love more than anyone I have encountered in my life (well except for my parents!) Thanks!
We are told that God loves us unconditionally. What a great word to hear. And THEN we're told that if we're living in a certain type of relationship, or if we identify as something other than cis-male or cis-female, or a number of other lifestyles or choices that seem authentic and correct to us, we can't ACCESS that love until we do this and that and a few other things. And therein lies the problem with an unconditional love with conditions. I submit that if a person is alive, they have already been approved by a higher power, because they are taking breath and having a beating heart. And if they're approved, then in some way they are loved. And therein lies the charter that we should observe, that if they are in some way loved, then as fellow human beings who are also in some way loved, we must - we MUST - extend that same love in whatever way we can to our fellows. May we understand that LOVE IS THE WAY FORWARD. Thank you, Rev Ed, for your benediction, your good words. Amen
A friend of mine, who is a devout Christian (in a good way) once told me "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.". I also like to think it's up to God who does or doesn't have a happy afterlife, not us humans on Earth.
@@revedtrevors4961 You and I both know this is a stawman argument. You are knowingly or unknowingly perverting the Word of God to fit your ideology. If anyone wants to know what the Bible actually says about homosexuality, I recommend listening to Voddie Baucham's sermon on the matter.
@@unknowncryptid115 yeah, I've already commented on that guy's lazy interpretation of Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 1. I'll take a pass at watching more of his stuff for a while. Btw it's no strawman argument. It's an acknowledgement of understanding that God's grace is beyond me so I'm just going to try to love. You are free to choose your path, but as for me, I'll try to love.
@@revedtrevors4961 I think the concern of this individual (and myself) is the reprobate heart. The idea that this culture 'celebrates' this lifestyle, in part condoning it. If I were to take a group of adulterers, create some acronym-al title..have a national week devoted for my adulterous group and create some sort of flag to celebrate it, AND... want to the church to just love(?) me...?? What happened to repentance, or... Jesus saying... sin no more.??? If I have this same friend/loved one, say... 'screw'n around on his wife', but... just give this individual a God loves you..come to my church talk... I'm NOT loving that person.
@@brucebuksyk4118 if you have a friend you have a relationship. If you have a relationship where you trust one another you have space and opportunity to speak into their life in a way where you can be heard and they know you love them. We should be willing to share when we think our friends are hurting themselves and others. We do not have such opportunities with people we do not know. There is no relationship or trust for us to lean on. So I rely on the power of the Gospel and I place all my trust in the relationship they will build with Christ that whatever changes are necessary in God's eyes will come to be. I believe the power of the Gospel has more power to transform a person's life than my condemnation or critique of their lives and I know I have no shot sharing the Gospel with someone who I've condemned. People will be stirred to repentance not through my words or judgement or thoughts but through their relationship with the Christ. I also put some stock in Paul's words to the church found in Romans 2.
Love , acceptance, and compassion are beautiful humanist values. Thank you for promoting them unconditionally. Sin is a religious construct that corrupts those values. Thank you for highlighting this. You are a caring and giving person. You would be even if you were not a believer.
Tell us Rev ED. Why did God judged Sodom & Gomorrah with fire and brimstone? Genesis_19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
I distrust people who are preoccupied with notions of "sin" and judgment. They are usually rather unkind (often to themselves, as well), and more than slightly repressed. 🤨 💙Great message, Reverend. Of course God loves our queer friends and family members, just as they are. So do I. 💜
I'll never understand why they focus on this to the exclusion of anything else. Adultery causes untold damage to relationships and lives, but very little is said. A friend's wife cheated with his brother. It cost him his marriage, his family, and his health. It broke him and he died young.
“God doesn’t make mistakes.” People who aren’t like you are not mistakes. They are as much His children as you are.
I wish I could do more than just "like" this. I love this sentiment.
You are right Everyone is a child of God know matter what or who you are. Everyone deserves Love and respect.
You're so right
Although a Christian may assume otherwise about me, as I am an anti-theist, & passionately write factual, data-informed essays calling for Christianity to end, because it objectively causes far more harm than any good done by those few virtuous believerslole this one here, & because the evil in its scriptures ensure that the institution of Christianity can not possibly redeemed,
*I have been saying this exact sentiment for 28 years since my first day of Class at my Catholic High School, in my advocacy for the neurodivergent, users of criminally prohibited substances, sufferers of chronic pain & mental health conditions.*
I have refocused my life's work on establishing a charity to encourage Epistemic Virtues & Justice broadly in society away from focusing solely on Christianity because I have observed that a scarce few Christians do have minds that can be potentially redeemed from dependence on superstition, magical thinking, & vulnerability to exploitation by narcissistic authorities, thanks to their not permanently be crippled by hatred, or self-deception that afflict so many of those who self identify as Christian.
Yes we are all his children and he’s pretty disgusted with all this stuff we are doing He doesn’t make anyone gay or straight or angry or bloodthirsty or anything We choose to be that way That’s free will and that’s what people don’t understand
I'll be honest... Being told I was sinful and going to the bad place for living my authentic self is why I stopped going to church
I'm sorry to hear that! It's sad when they single out the LGBTQIA+ community as if they're the only ones who mess up, that somehow they're the only ones who sin. Living your authentic self should *not* be a reason for "going to the bad place", BUT - there's that word again - we do all deserve to go there cuz of our sinful nature. The GOOD news is that's why Jesus came, to save ALL of us sinners - anyone who calls on His name, including the LGBTQIA+ community. He loves us ALL!♥️ Just remember that!
@@denisemayosky1955 Yeah, this is one of the reasons I am not a Christian-- focusing on "sin" -- which basically just means mistakes-- I don't find it healthy. Yes, we need to recognize our mistakes, and do our best not to repeat them. But what I've learned is that what we put our attention on, grows. So...maybe not such a good idea to spend a huge percentage of our time focusing on our mistakes and the punishment we think we should receive for them.
The world might be more beautiful and friendly place if we spent, say, 10% of our time focusing on our errors, and 90% of our time focusing on what we can heal and what we can do to make our portion of the world-- starting with ourselves-- a friendlier and more beautiful place. I agree with Rev Ed: it's not a great idea to act as if sin has power and dominion over us. And it seems to me that saying "we all deserve to go to hell cuz of our sinful nature" is doing just that.
Years ago, I had a Muslim boyfriend. he was from a country with theocratic laws that are deeply discriminatory towards LGBTQIA+ and he was reliant on sponsorship from home to continue his education in the US. Obviously he had to keep our relationship under wraps, but I also had to keep it under wraps, and not just for his sake. My family, my employer and my church would all have dropped me like a hot potato if they found out that I was in a same sex relationship with a Muslim.
It was the first (and so far only) same sex relationship I had been in and I didn't expect having to keep it secret from everyone in my life to hurt so much. The casual cruelty of homophobia is something I never saw before personally experiencing it.
I left that church I was attending then. Recently I went back for a few weeks and was really disappointed to see how it had embraced the the venomous ideology of Trump and MAGA. That church is beyond any human effort to redeem it. I've walked away for good this time and left it in God's hands, but I don't think God will do anything. These days I think we're on our own and God doesn't care.
Any church that tells you that clearly doesn't believe that Jesus is capable of forgiving sins.
@@TestUser-cf4wj That church is just like so many groups of people who are lost. It just happens to be your old church. Being a church means nothing. I choose to believe God is using these places to expose rot everywhere. I think he is using tRump to expose and show people where the rot is. It makes it easier to find a place where real people can help each other. Not these fake christians who gather to hate and pound their holy chests. We are on our own in the respect that we have to search for our people. :)
You’re one of the very few people who doesn’t say “. . . BUT” after a positive message. Thank you from USA
And from South Africa
Its why he's one of the few priests that i actually listen to and respect. More would have my respect if they acted like Rev Trevors here.
And expressing the positive in what he's reacting to, as well, every time.
I'm not an Anglican but I listen to Ed because despite our denominational difference he's got so much to say that I want the entire church universal to hear.
And thank you from Germany. Love.
But he did... "We don't hate you... BUT you're sinful and need to turn away from that." Y'all don't even have basic levels of honest self-awareness.
I'm 3 minutes in, and I just need to say this. It was through prayer and guidance from God that I came out as queer and then trans. I was desperately depressed trying to live within the box that the "church" said I should be in. While reading my Bible, the story of Jacob having to leave his home, lose his family and the promise God made to be with him until God brought him back was the reason I decided to accept that maybe I was created by God this way. After all, before I was in my mother's womb, He knew me. He created me this way, in his image, both male and female. I lost the church, but I NEVER lost Jesus and God. They have been my constant companions through this journey. People who refuse to see the diverse Glory of his creation make me sad.
Very possibly a tangent, but I felt like I needed to share that unlike some suggested to me, I was not, in fact, giving up on God. I was cleaving unto him and trusting him to know better than me.
Good for you, I'm so glad they didn't take this from you
💜💜💜
Bless you
And I'm in that place being impoverished. I reject churches and people who are determined to "fix" me. They're the ones sinning.
Live your life how you want but I will never willingly kowtow before a god that has caused so many deaths and so much suffering by its inspiration of Leviticus 20: 13. I find your indifference to their suffering deeply saddening.
God bless you Rev Ed! I wish the WHOLE WORLD heard your message!
My pastor has a slogan, even painted on the sign in front of the church building: "We are blessed. We are beloved. We belong to God." By which he means all of us.
"God has a way forward for you" is also a wonderful truth for the complacent. For the sanctimonious. For the proud.
Jesus never added "except for" to "love your neighbour."
And what is Truth? Pilate asks, "QVID EST VERITAS?" And the same letters make up "EST VIR QUI ADEST." - "It is the Man before you." The Truth was right in front of him, and even hidden in his own question, if only he knew where to look.
I once drafted a poem comparing Julius Caesar's VVV--"I came, I saw, I conquered"--with Jesus Christ's VVV--"I am the way, the truth, and the life." I think Jesus knew what he was doing, setting up a comparison with those Latin V's.
That's amazing! In many, many years of church-going, I never heard that. ❤
To clarify:
Julius Caesar: veni vidi vici.
Jesus Christ: via veritas vita.
I know (in part) the depth of my own sins - enough to know that I have no grounds to judge anyone else. I don't share others' experiences, weaknesses and difficulties. My own are more than I can cope with. Thank you Jesus for your loving redemption.
This preacher he describes doesn't love us (the LGBT community)because he would ask us to dishonor our creator by denying the way we were made...
A member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I get this crap all the time, as if I chose to be gay. A gay person can't choose to not be gay just as a straight person can't choose to not be straight. And it's not a "lifestyle" it's who I am. Thank you for your wonderful words and support Reverend Trevor 💯🩵
💜💜💜
@@autiejedi5857 🩵💕
@@autiejedi5857 🩵💕
@@russellmiles2861 Being judged is why I'm so nervous and uncomfortable around Christians
@@russellmiles2861 say that when you actually live in a liberal democracy
it's not just insidious, it's arrogant...
My spiritual walk got easier when I realized it's not my job to accuse people of sin. As long as their actions are not harming others, my job is to simply share the love of God with people. After that, if God has a problem with their actions, he'll take it up with them. When I get into debates with church members about if LGBTQ+ is a sin, my answer is always, based on my education of the Bible and history, I don't think so, but I can find comfort in the fact that it's not my job to decide. It never works, their answer is always, "but the Bible says it's sin!", but I keep trying when it's brought up. It's so much easier when you realize your job is just to love.
Sometimes I long for a system that you could do more than thumbs up.
Amen to that!
My reply is usually "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Then I turn and walk away.
@@tflowers6582 You just did! Love.
Exactly. Judge not. When I hear Christian’s judging others, I remind them that according to their own scripture, only ‘God’ can judge. Who are they that they have so little faith in their own God, that they feel the need to step in and impart their own judgement? If they are serious about their walk with Christ, they better go back to church and get on their knees and ask to be changed, because Jesus would be ashamed of their hatred and judgement.
I love my current church, which includes lots of gluttons, the lazy, the gossippy, and yep even Trumpers. Sigh.... fortunately, our pastor doesn't go for any judgment of anyone. But he encourages us all to look at our own issues instead. I know I am blessed mightily for that!
50 plus years of being a Christian and I still get stuck in all my failings. I really need to keep hearing that our God loves all sinners, including me!
The best thing I ever heard my last priest say, in response to what he thought about homosexuals, was "please come to church on Sunday. We love you." That was it.
Thanks Ed.❤😊
God loves you - no ifs, ands or BUTS
Those are not analogous to being gay or transgender. Those are behavior choices that are being repeated, being gay or trans is not a choice.
I think the main reason why "God loves you -- BUT" tends to be reserved for LGBTQ people is that if we focus on the sins, real or perceived, of others, it spares us from having to consider our own sinfulness. Martin Luther had this to say in his commentary on Psalm 51 -- "The difference between the true saints and the sham saints is this: The true saints see their transgressions and realize that they are not what they should be and want to be. Therefore they judge themselves and are not concerned about others. The sham saints, however, do not perceive their own wickedness; they imagine they are as they should be. They always forget about themselves and sit in judgment of others."
Once again you pulled me in on this subject. As you know I hope that I am retired Minister I worked in Ministry for over 30 years I am also a transgender person who is one who has struggled for as long as I can remember over the issue of the truth. I am one who has prayed who has worked hard not to be transgender. Let me tell you it does not work. I am who I am and my God loves me just as I am I have prayed as I do most days for the Forgiveness of my sins . I am here to say that God loves all of us regardless what sins we may or may not have committed and that as long as we are willing to live a Godly life the kind of life that Jesus said that we should live we are his children.
Amen.
Darling child, be happy.
Correction, being transgender is not a sin. There is no need to ask for forgiveness.
@@marciethomas5766 oh believe me I know it's not a sin. I asked for forgiveness for the other sins that I commit almost on a daily basis.
@@olivianatwick7603 I am glad for you. Here in Texas, sometimes it is hard to find a church that supports LGBTQ people. In 2017, I found one. Since that day, I think I have missed two services. I came out that year and have been so happy since then.
Reverend Trevors I simply want to say thank you.
I hear the truth is that God loves all his children.
Exactly what I was thinking when I saw the title
There was a preacher who was clarifying why LGBTQ was condemned & to associate with them without "telling them the truth" would ensure my condemnation (after all save your is my responsibility 🙄) I began to tear up, realized I was getting angry. I burst into full sobs & cried out "I cannot bring myself to hate them"! Calm, peace & sanity then returned because I remembered The human spirit was created to love & be loved ☮️♾️🌌
She has a billion billion children, and She knows each one of us by name.
Blesséd be!
Thanks again, Reverend Ed. You are spot on with the TRUTH in your message.
Well, Christ never once in four Gospels addresses the issue of homosexuality, but He DOES speak out against adultery, rich people, and those who either neglect or abuse the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, so.....I guess my question is........Does this guy say the same thing to THESE groups? Does he say to the rich man, "You are welcome to come to our church, but we're going to tell you what Christ said about the rich"?
Well said!
@Dalekzilla well said, that's a very good point!
Romans 1:24-27 ESV
[24] Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, [25] because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. [26] For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; [27] and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
I love hearing your messages. You have a wonderful way of bringing everything back to love.
Wow! So beautiful. Thank you for this.
There is no harm in love in any form. They should preach more against lies, stealing, and betrayal.
Thank you for speaking truth of the Spirit and not of the world.
Lovely Message Rev Ed,Thanks for the Wisdom,God loves us all in or out of Church... God Bless 🕊️
There are a whole lot of people burdened with logs in their eyes.
As always thank you.
Anytime i see this as a title to a religious message i get scared. Its a form of PTSD and religious truama. I do appreciate that your message is one of acceptance not hate.
I get that too. Trans, bi, atheist myself. A while back, maybe a year or two, I was in one of the Rev's live streams and actually did a super chat (money going to charity) to get some clarification.
He is 100% a queer ally. He marries same sex couples. He absolutely supports the community actively. He does not support anti-LGBT rhetoric of any sort.
It's so sad that so often we run into truly hateful Christian rhetoric. I've been at the front line at protests having Christians literally screaming in my face that I'm going to Hell. So yeah, I'm careful about what Christians I give my time and ears to.
@@CorwinFoundI think it's sad that only one type of Christian is out in public view right now. And it's the worst kind.
I think it's about time that the silent majority (hopefully they are - I'm not sure about that in the USA) raise their voices and tell those hateful people disseminating their hate: "Not in my name!"
Unfortunately, those who do that, like Rev. Ed, are largely being ignored by the media. Raging angry ideologues just make for better ratings/more clicks than measured, calm theologians.
@@e.458 Here's my feedback and take it as you will coming from an atheist trans guy.
Words don't matter much. Both sides will happily use phrases like, "Not a _real_ Christian." In the end, fighting hateful rhetoric with more accepting rhetoric is as you said, not very effective. So in my experience, action is the answer. Real, impactful action.
Out on the front lines of protests I have encountered some truly amazing Christian 2SLGBTQ ally activists. These are people organizing protests, funding queer youth organizations, and sometimes literally putting their bodies between the bigots and queer folk.
You know what they aren't doing? Talking about their religion, evangelizing the the gays, or making queer issues about religion. They aren't talking about trans folks going to heaven, they are talking about supporting queer positive school board candidates and _not_ just Christian ones.
If as a Christian you want to help queer folk? Leave out the Christianity. Maybe that is what inspires you to help but out in the real world your beliefs don't create change. Your actions do.
Bless you, Rev.
Love this message.
Amen and amen! ♥
Thanks, Rev!! Love this!! No “God loves you, BUT” just “God loves you, period”
Thank you for this, there is so much I could say, but it has been covered by many other comments, so I’ll just say thank you
I'm gay and so was my twin brother, David. My brother was murdered shortly after graduating from nursing school. After Davids funeral a woman came up to me and told me that his murder was a message from God letting me know that my brother is now in Hell for being gay and I am going there to be with him if I don't change!!! I never had such a hateful, judgemental thing said to me!!! 🌈
I'm so sorry about your brother. I'm also sorry about that comment from that lady. Sadly, she has not opened her heart and mind to the truth.
In my idea of the afterlife people like the person who was so cruel after your brother’s funeral are fully surprised when they end up where they don’t think they will.
Donald, I'm sorry you went through that. She's wrong. Period. I don't know why people think they should say these things.
I couldn't bring myself to "like" your comment - devastating. I'm not gay, but I've had loads of friends L, G, B. What utterly astounds me is the shear number of suicides in the community - including people that sincerely touched my life. I don't "believe" - I actually KNOW what the root cause was. It was dirty, rotten christians thrusting their theoretical theology on people that simply want to enjoy life and hurt no one. Peace brother
@@Kristen-ek9rz ❤️
When i hear someone talk about the "sin" of being LGBTQ, I ask them to tell me the secret of how they're able to meet the standard Jesus sets in Matthew 25's parable of the sheep and goats. I tell them that I've been a Christian all my life, and I dont even come close. I would be really hesitant to point a finger at someone else.
Trans, bi, atheist guy here. My understanding of your words is a softer version of, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." The idea that it's not your place to judge others, even, "Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?"
A nice enough sentiment, at least compared to violence, but it seems like you do see being queer as a splinter. A sin, a problem, something. By choosing to not judge gay, trans, or other queer folk for being queer, you are being righteous, but still, deep down you believe that being queer is inherently a judgeable offense, even if you don't actively do it.
As a person with very close Evangelical, fundamentalist Christian family, I have to say that I prefer outright hate over what feels like pious, sanctimonious condescension. It is a literal holier than thou attitude that wants the benefits of having bigoted attitudes without the shame of acting overtly hateful.
If I've misinterpreted your words, please let me know and feel free to explain how.
@@CorwinFound If one can *"love the sinner, but hate their sin",* one can also *"love that believer, but hate their belief".* *BTW there is no science *“proving heterosexuality”* nor is there any *”straight”* gene either.
@@CorwinFound In no way do I endorse , the "hate the sin, love the sinner" BS, which I tried to convey by putting "sin" in quotes. I despise arrogance, and I find that trait way too common in Christians. The Bible makes it clear that followers of Jesus are to love their neighbors, feed the hungry, heal the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, welcome the stranger, and forgive. Never are we called on to judge anyone else. My point was to remind Christians that most of us aren't even capable of meeting Jesus' standards, so we really should not be looking outside of ourselves for things to criticize in others.
@@juliachildress2943 I guess what I'm asking is this. Is being gay or trans (in your understanding) any further from Jesus's standards than being straight and cis?
Yes, I hear you that judgement is very unChrist-like. You are saying you wouldn't judge say a shoplifter because maybe it's a matter of food for their kids or not. But I think you would say that all other things being equal, stealing is less Christ-like than not stealing. Does your lack of judgement of queer folk fall into the category of not judging people who steal out of necessity or not judging people for their race, mental capabilities or other inherent traits?
I know this sounds nitpicky. But the reality is that "I don't judge" often covers a fundamental belief that queer identities fall further down the closest to Jesus ladder than cis/het identities. Basically, "I don't judge anyone. Not thieves, adulterers or queer folk." You can see the category that 2SLGBTQ people are being put into with that statement.
Another great message! Thank you Reverend!
“Life is full of magic patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” W.B. Yeats
The pastor who has a specific Truth for the people he judges is trying to act as a gatekeeper, to keep the ones he judges as sinners out of the church.
There is no place in the Kingdom of God for "they's." There are only "we" in the place where the perfect God is with, loves and has blessings intended for us.
Instead of preaching the "truth," how about just preaching "love?"
Thank you Rev. All the hating from churches has made me surprised and so sad. Its so good to hear you talking about nothing but love, because that's the good Lord I know. May your words soothe many hearts 💖💖💖
Gawd...if I lived in Scotland, I'd go to your church...sadly I live in the US where hate of others in church is the norm, now....reason why I stopped going to church, i still believe in Christ and pray every night and day. Thank you for your message!!!
Needed tears fall. Thank you.
Redemption Exists as a possibility, in All those destined to seek it..
I always appreciate how you tell it
Yessss Rev Ed 👏 save that for the oppressors, the abusers, those that would hurt their fellow living creatures
Morning folks and Rev Ed. Thanks as always
Morning!
I wrote in my latest book a religious fanatic that attacks gays based on Leviticus. Her opening scene has her with a dish with rice and rabbit meat, bacon, shrimp and blood pudding.
In a cotton and wool blend coat
Wearing a men's shirt
Working on Saturday
Wow, I am so impressed by your message. I just wish others feel the same way. I grew up in the Methodist Church, and I remember people making fun of others that were different, whether it be their sexuality, race, or something else. It really bothers me when people do hateful things to others in the name of Jesus. Jesus would never do that.💔
This is such a beautiful message. If there was more teaching that some things may be sinful for me but not for you because I am valuing that more than serving God and following His word, we would be less judgmental and more welcoming.
I listened to a wonderful presentation by someone who was not supposed to graduate high school, let alone go on to college as he did. The word "BUT" negates anything said before that word, positive or negative.
Thank you for this amazing message Rev Ed. 🙏🏿✝️💖
I always found the idea that mutual love is a sin, as a very strange concept. I can see why rape is a sin, I can see why assault is a sin, I can see why theft is a sin. However so long as both people are mature enough to understand what their doing, consent, no one is coerced and respect one another equally. I don't see how it can be wrong.
Amen brother
Some of those "horrible sinners" are more Christian than that pastor. I always get something to think about out of your channel.
Gay is a celebration of love, something more easily attributed to God than mankind.
Love is love.
Pro💜Love
👣🕊👽
You’re absolutely right. A minister shouldn’t single gay people out. They should preach that all sinners should repent and accept Jesus as their personal savior, witness to gay people in a loving way.
I mean, yeah… I go to church and hear about envy, about anger, about bitterness… and I keep going, even though I have and will continue the struggle against these things. I hear that I should love my neighbor and I embrace the concept and remain afraid to even speak to most of them. The whole need no physician.
Amen!
Yeah, I came out a few months ago. Sixty six, and I've lived a straight woman's life with two dink marriages in the mix. I don't care about that Methodist minister, though. I've been hearing most of my life that my sister went to hell because suicide. I've been hearing all my life that my mom would go to hell because she was a Christian Scientist. I've been disabled for thirty years and I've heard that's because of my sin, too. I'm a little tougher than that ol' boy knows, so he can bring it at his convenience.
Amen! 💯
It is my sicerest wish that more people hear your message. May you forever prosper in this endeavor.
Right on! Judge not lest you be judged. Thank you for this message. 🙏🙏🙏
As a Christian, we’re not consistent in practicing what we preach. Churches consistently hammer on gays and get into specifics but I never hear churches going on rants about greed. My guess is because most people in there are Republicans and not gays, that has something to do with it.
Judgement of others, has to be the most common sin in the universe. Thank you for your Jesus like, common sense approach to Christianity.
Boy, that's a kind of left-handed welcome, isn't it? Come on in, join us, let us tell you where you're wrong.
Without your words here, the church would be just another dark place in the world. Thank you for being a light for me.
great video ed and yes what a wonderful world it would be amen
No where in the Bible does it condemn same sex couples.Lev 18:22 refers to rape, not same sex couples. During the process of translating the text from Hebrew to English the meaning got grossly distorted. The word miškevēis was omitted during the translation affecting the meaning. Rule of thumb, if you don’t understand what the verse means, it is a bad idea to make it into a law oppressing millions of people. So much of the great text has been lost and mistranslated. Be kind to all, treat people how you want to be treated. Everything else is just noise and harmful judgement
What utter rubbish, just read Leviticus 20:13.
@@downenout8705 what version of the bible are you referring to as there are over 50 different versions with vague and incomplete translations. Don’t pretend to understand something that doesn’t make sense as it puts you and others in harms way. It is not up to you or me to judge what others do with consent. The bible at best is incomplete and vague
@@josephlogan7639 How about the International Children's Bible?
I think it is very much you who is pretending to know something that is not what is plainly written.
This book is supposed to be inspired by the all powerful creator of the universe, it's asinine to suggest that such a god is incapable of ensuring that it's message is properly preserved. If that god doesn't want children to read Leviticus 20: 13 as it's written then that god needs to do something about it.
All you have done is reduce your holy book to a collocation of stories written by iron age sheep herders trying to make sense of and control the world around them.
If you truly want to be accepting of the LGBTQ+ community consign your holy book to the dustbin of history.
@@downenout8705 if this was truly inspired by God then why are there so many different versions? Did God make a mistake? Perhaps it is people who are in a position of power that manipulate the bible for their own selfish advantage over others. There are so many inconsistencies to accept everything at face value. Practice the golden rule instead of pretending that you understand everything
@@josephlogan7639 No where do I say that I know everything. I am simply reading Leviticus 20: 13 and pointing out the depravity of what is plainly written.
If the words of your god have been altered by powerful men, then you no longer reliably know what your god's word is, so perhaps you should stop pretending that you do.
Hail Mary, Mother of God
Here's an observation, I have never had anyone from the LTBQ community come to my house and knock on my door and tell me that I must live my life like them or I'll suffer consequences. Guess who I have more time for?
Love Rev Ed.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." ALL! We should work harder at loving people and leave the judging to God.
Honestly , one of the reasons I have issues with most churches is this subject. The way being LGBTQ + is equated to sins like murder . And it’s has been “you’re welcome to our church and hopefully you will see your sin and change who you are.”I’m a straight grandma, married over 30yrs. And equating love and knowing who you are with a sin like taking a life was something I could never rationalize and be comfortable supporting. I was worried that was where this was going.And relieved it wasn’t because I have been listening and trying to find my way back to religion and my faith.My family was Southern Baptist .My husband is Catholic.So there was a lot of judgement and demonization going on.I had to walk away from that.
To those that say they 'love the sinner but hate the sin", I have a few words, too.
I once found myself on a road trip, and in conversation with the cousin of my partner, a Catholic believer. The conversation turned to being gay, and what he believed, that "It's not a sin to BE gay, but it is a sin to act on it." I asked him to "Stick with me on this for a minute. Imagine that the table was turned - that it was considered 'sin' to be attracted to the opposite sex. You are pressured to suppress that attraction, and ONLY be romantically involved with other men. Marry one of them, and live a lie." "I couldn't do it!" "Get it"?"
Sin, schmin.
The obsession with other people's love/sex lives is ridiculous to me, as a gay atheist. Decades ago, in my late teens, I realized that IF there was a god that condemned people for loving, that's a god that should be the loneliest, most vilified god in the universe. I wanted nothing to do with it.
All have sinned and CONTINUOUSLY fall short of the glory of God. We ARE .... ALL.... sinners.
I've come to believe Agape. That, to me is God's "love" (in quotes because us humans use that term, myself included. But it doesn't mean the same to every person. It's extremely limited imo). Agape isn't. And it has nothing to do with US. It's not dependent on anything we do, think, believe etc. It's all God. That "love" is unconditional. Full stop.
Amen.
I was thinking the same thing. This is the truth for EVERYONE. We are all SINFUL, born that way, and in need of salvation. Sin may present differently , but we all have it.
Too much judgement from hypocrites. I bet they eat shellfish.
Jesus never said "but" when he spoke about love.
I read something in a Wayne Dyer book the other day that said something like "All things come from God; if the message is of unity then it is of God, if the message is of division it is not of God." Maybe it's over-simplified, perhaps even naïve, but I find comfort and peace in this simple, all-encompassing perspective.
Wonderful and loving message. Much appreciated!
Separating any one or any group to be "less than" or "sinners" is for me judgmental and unloving. Many people seem to have a need to feel superior to others through multiple layers of created separations. In my opinion this is likely just to boost one's ego. Humanity will eventually understand that love, with no subtractions, is the answer. And, I must say that you, Rev Ed Trevors demonstrate and shine your love more than anyone I have encountered in my life (well except for my parents!) Thanks!
Such a powerful, loving and TRUTHFUL message. Thank you and may God bless you. ❤
If one has to LIE about himself and not become gay, then HE himself is committing a sin by lying and living in the SIN of lying?
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
We are told that God loves us unconditionally. What a great word to hear. And THEN we're told that if we're living in a certain type of relationship, or if we identify as something other than cis-male or cis-female, or a number of other lifestyles or choices that seem authentic and correct to us, we can't ACCESS that love until we do this and that and a few other things. And therein lies the problem with an unconditional love with conditions.
I submit that if a person is alive, they have already been approved by a higher power, because they are taking breath and having a beating heart. And if they're approved, then in some way they are loved. And therein lies the charter that we should observe, that if they are in some way loved, then as fellow human beings who are also in some way loved, we must - we MUST - extend that same love in whatever way we can to our fellows.
May we understand that LOVE IS THE WAY FORWARD. Thank you, Rev Ed, for your benediction, your good words. Amen
Thank you.🤗 People who judge should never wear gold or expensive clothes. The Bible says not to.
Excellent sermon, Rv. Ed
I have a personal aversion to the word 'lifestyle'. Maybe because it is often used to imply that being poor or LGBT is somehow a 'lifestyle choice'
💖
A friend of mine, who is a devout Christian (in a good way) once told me "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven.". I also like to think it's up to God who does or doesn't have a happy afterlife, not us humans on Earth.
I will be praying for you Ed just like I pray for all the other false teachers that lead people astray.
So you don't think God's love is truth...? Yikes
@@revedtrevors4961 You and I both know this is a stawman argument. You are knowingly or unknowingly perverting the Word of God to fit your ideology. If anyone wants to know what the Bible actually says about homosexuality, I recommend listening to Voddie Baucham's sermon on the matter.
@@unknowncryptid115 yeah, I've already commented on that guy's lazy interpretation of Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 1. I'll take a pass at watching more of his stuff for a while. Btw it's no strawman argument. It's an acknowledgement of understanding that God's grace is beyond me so I'm just going to try to love. You are free to choose your path, but as for me, I'll try to love.
@@revedtrevors4961 I think the concern of this individual (and myself) is the reprobate heart. The idea that this culture 'celebrates' this lifestyle, in part condoning it. If I were to take a group of adulterers, create some acronym-al title..have a national week devoted for my adulterous group and create some sort of flag to celebrate it, AND... want to the church to just love(?) me...?? What happened to repentance, or... Jesus saying... sin no more.??? If I have this same friend/loved one, say... 'screw'n around on his wife', but... just give this individual a God loves you..come to my church talk... I'm NOT loving that person.
@@brucebuksyk4118 if you have a friend you have a relationship. If you have a relationship where you trust one another you have space and opportunity to speak into their life in a way where you can be heard and they know you love them. We should be willing to share when we think our friends are hurting themselves and others. We do not have such opportunities with people we do not know. There is no relationship or trust for us to lean on. So I rely on the power of the Gospel and I place all my trust in the relationship they will build with Christ that whatever changes are necessary in God's eyes will come to be.
I believe the power of the Gospel has more power to transform a person's life than my condemnation or critique of their lives and I know I have no shot sharing the Gospel with someone who I've condemned.
People will be stirred to repentance not through my words or judgement or thoughts but through their relationship with the Christ.
I also put some stock in Paul's words to the church found in Romans 2.
Love , acceptance, and compassion are beautiful humanist values. Thank you for promoting them unconditionally. Sin is a religious construct that corrupts those values. Thank you for highlighting this. You are a caring and giving person. You would be even if you were not a believer.
Some Christians *base their whole identity* on being a sinner and believing everyone else is too.
Tell us Rev ED. Why did God judged Sodom & Gomorrah with fire and brimstone?
Genesis_19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
I distrust people who are preoccupied with notions of "sin" and judgment. They are usually rather unkind (often to themselves, as well), and more than slightly repressed. 🤨
💙Great message, Reverend. Of course God loves our queer friends and family members, just as they are. So do I. 💜
Wow! You got this, Pastor Ed. If only we could learn to love as Jesus wants us to love and leave the judgment to Him!😮
@10:50
That instruction comes off as ingenuine.
I'll never understand why they focus on this to the exclusion of anything else. Adultery causes untold damage to relationships and lives, but very little is said. A friend's wife cheated with his brother. It cost him his marriage, his family, and his health. It broke him and he died young.
Top of the morning, Padre
And to you!
You keep me hopeful, Reverend. No mean feat these days. I appreciate you.
Thank you friend!
Thank you.