God Among the Ruins

Book Sale has been getting and selling back issues of The Advocate for years now, and I buy whenever they have some in their racks. It’s a pro-GLBT mag that keeps up with a lot of gay-related issues all over America, and even the world. It’s very informative and enlightening, as it constantly addresses gay rights and challenges through diverse articles by the witty and well-researched columnists. At 30 to 40 pesos each, an issue of The Advocate is a nice bargain, indeed.

The Dec. 7, 2004 issue is a very good and affecting read, as a number of interviewees talked about the ramifications of George Dubya’s re-election on gay rights. One of the things that stuck with me about the entire ish was the “rants and raves” section, which regularly features quotable quotes by celebs and non-celebs alike. I especially like what talk show host Bill Maher said in the Oct. 24 issue of the Chicago Sun-Times:

“Why does someone feel they have to hide (their sexual orientation) their whole life? … The root of that is all from the Bible, from religion. If we didn’t have religion, there wouldn’t be this massive problem with gay people.”

I totally agree. Everybody’s free to worship who or what they want, or not worship at all; faith is always a personal thing. Organized religion, on the other hand, is when things related to worship get unduly complicated. Some Christians, for example, go on a Bible-thumping spree, citing chosen verses that supposedly say that gay relationships are condemned by God (or at least the Christian God). Late last year, there was this anti-gay zealot politician, a guest at GMA 7’s Debate who kept spouting Biblical rules against homosexuality. What he and other people like him conveniently leave out are verses pertaining to barbaric or bizarre customs in the same book that say (and I paraphrase): “If a woman is found guilty of adultery, you can freely stone her to death.” Or, “If a woman just gave birth, she is unclean for X number of days… don’t let her rejoin the community just yet.” If (and really, I question this) these Bible authors were really in touch with God, why do so many things seem to get lost in the translation? Why the stunningly prejudicial laws? Is God that petty and bossy? What's up his cosmic ass?

Then you’ll get arguments that, no, the Bible is not a science book; it’s not updated to reflect modern-day culture, laws and so on. But, wait, isn’t that hypocritical when you cite it as the be-all and end-all of “God’s words”? You either accept it wholly or not at all. To pick one line that suits whatever agenda you have and ignoring badly written parts of it just smacks of hypocrisy and bigotry.

So if you’re gay, and the beloved leader of your Church unflinchingly declares that you are part of an influential “ideology of evil”, please get out of that religious group. You are not welcome. Your sexuality is a mockery to your Creator. Leave, and don’t look back. Don’t give them undue strength by being part of their numbers. They are preaching against you. God, apparently, isn’t gender-blind.

If you or any of your loved ones are gay, please find the strength to voice out against bigotry, whether it’s caused by religion or not. If you consider yourself straight, please question the rules laid out before you. You know something’s amiss. Stop just following and start analyzing. Yes, that may be too much hard work, but someone’s life may depend on it. You may be helping out people on the road to self-destruction. Ultimately, it’s you who makes a difference. And wouldn’t your Higher Power, whoever or whatever that may be, want that? Isn't that the right thing to do, regardless?