by Rev. Michael Burke
Last night I think my heart broke in three different places.
Once again, it felt like 2009’s so-called “Summer of Hate” was happening all over again. I was seated in the Anchorage Assembly chambers waiting my chance to testify on a proposed non-discrimination ordinance that would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the list of protected categories, alongside gender, marital status, disability, race, religion and national origin.
My heart broke listening to the very personal stories of discrimination, of people being told the landlord wouldn’t rent to them because, “you know, you are one of those kind of people.” A husband and wife talked about their love for their teen, who is struggling through issues of gender identity. A preschool teacher talked of her love for her students, and how she had to hide while at the supermarket, for fear that someone might see her shopping with her spouse, report her to her religious employer, and she would be fired for being a lesbian.
My heart broke when people testified that their belief in the Bible required them to shun others who were different from themselves. One woman took great pains to point out how she loved all LGBT people, really, she did, and she respected them. She then used the final 60 seconds of her testimony to compare marriage equality with approving of sex with animals.
My heart broke when others testifying seemed not simply to disagree with non-discrimination, but seemed, to me, to be so mean-spirited in what they had to say, and how they chose to say it.
My heart broke when others testifying seemed not simply to disagree with non-discrimination, but seemed, to me, to be so mean-spirited in what they had to say, and how they chose to say it.
It’s just all so sad. And unnecessary.
Pray for our community. Pray for those who feel that they will be judged harshly by God if they do not keep a bright line of separation between themselves and those they consider “unclean.” The image of God that came through to me, through much of their testimony, was of an angry, vindictive God. I think there is some truth to the observation that “we become what we worship.”
Pray for those who are genuinely and lovingly struggling to discern what God requires of us. Pray for those who are conflicted. Pray for those who are victimized because of that conflict.
But mostly, I ask that we pray that God might strengthen us. Pray that God might strengthen us to become better witnesses for our faith in Jesus Christ – a faith that does not claim false certainties, a faith that is willing to take the risk to love, -- a faith that has the humility to respect others who walk other, different paths of love. And a faith mature enough to be compassionate even to those with whom we disagree.
The world needs that now. Not our silence. Not our “embarrassment” for being associated with the name of Jesus. Not more avoidance of anything “religious.”
What the world needs now:
is a bold, unapologetic confidence in the very same Jesus who came for the lost, the unwelcome, the wounded, and the fearful… … a confidence in the very same Jesus who revealed the heart of God as compassion, healing, love, justice, and mercy.
is a bold, unapologetic confidence in the very same Jesus who came for the lost, the unwelcome, the wounded, and the fearful… … a confidence in the very same Jesus who revealed the heart of God as compassion, healing, love, justice, and mercy.
That… and some time for healing…
The Rev. Michael Burke serves as Rector at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Anchorage and is on the steering committee of Christians for Equality
