God hates you

I received a comment from someone (as I do) in response to the Ecclesia de Lange story that I had posted. I haven't blogged about the outcome to her appeal and my response to it because, to be honest, I was quite emotional about it. I didn't want to have an emotional or angry response - I always try to be guarded in what I put in writing but her expulsion from the Methodist ministry is very sad.

Don't get me wrong. I know she broke the rules by marrying her partner. I know that breaking the rules has consequences. I suppose my sadness is that the response spoke volumes about the Church's tolerance of gays. That's what it is - tolerance.

I have therefore made personal decisions about my way forward and how I will deal with my own personal battle to reconcile being a man in love with a man and someone who wants to be actively involved in the church. Those I'm sure I will share when I feel less angry.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnyyywaaaayyyy...

Getting back to the comment. It was a usual "God hates gays and all of us deviants must kneel before the cross of Christ or spend eternity in hell". What I do find amazing about these comments is that they are left anonymously. If you're going to tell me how to live my life and assume your scriptural right to do so at least leave a name and address where we can continue the dialogue. If you don't want dialogue then please don't post anything here. I have said before and I will say again - you are more than welcome to your opinions on this platform, as am I. Let's just be mature about it.

My response to this kind of comment which is so filled with God's hate is by quoting the words of Wesley - "your god is my devil".

But the following comment really did blow me away and I want more people to read it. It's written by an atheist. And that in itself is astonishing. And it's also written by a man I love very deeply. Here was his response to this person (I have edited it slightly):

I know very many christians who love god. Who are certain that god loves them. They thrive on this love they believe they receive.

They allow themselves to give and receive love in human interactions as a spouse, parent, child, friend, neighbour and sometimes a stranger. They regularly give thanks to god that they can.

They read their scriptures and listen to the sermons of their fellow man, reminding them that god is love. That Jesus died on the cross for all mankind to turn to god and feel his warm embrace and the promise of an eternal happiness, basking in the glow of his love.

They pray, sometimes fervently, to be able to forgive as he taught when they are hurt by others who hate... lest they be on the receiving end of the first stone cast.

I'm sure you never meant to cast any doubt on the love god has for them by your comments.

If I were a man craving to live and love as god taught, I might be in a serious spot of bother. This is because, dear Anonymous, your comment speaks only of hatred. A god who is so angry with his creation, he has no room left for love.

For those touched by god's love and grace, who walk beside the sick, poor and dying, touching lives with his love - where do they find it? Which god is giving them this love? Are they deceived by satan into being good? It is sad to see one so seemingly strong in faith propelled by hate.

What you say makes me wonder about the god you speak of - one so angry he has no place for love. Where there is no place for love, we are left with hate. A hate so deep and overpowering it will ultimately consume and destroy. Is satan's work not to breed hate? Is satan's work not to let pride and prejudice fester in a mans soul and fill him with hate which will most certainly lead to hate for his fellow man? Does that hatred not lead man away from the god he seeks to love?

Why not leave the judging to where it is presumably made, at the foot of gods throne, and get on with being a better person, dealing with real people, living real lives, making real impacts to those around them, with love and compassion.

To all haters of people that are different - through nothing more than a single differentiating feature - ponder what you might say if one day, that which drives your hatred stares you in the face as the face of god and you are left with with no escape from your deep remorse at doing Satan's bidding for hatred. Fear that.