I was impressed with the coverage of the Max Solbrekken Tent Revival in the Advocate. And kudos to members of the Athabasca LGBT Support Group having the courage to investigate and ensure that hate speech was not occurring during the event. The conversations were calm and respectful, and the Mayor was clear about the town’s responsibilities towards guaranteeing a balance between freedom of speech and human rights advocacy.
It is sad that some Christians seem to think they have a right to dictate what is and is not healthy sexual relations between consenting adults, and that their opinion is the only opinion when it comes to topics such as gay marriage, etc. Jesus didn’t say Judge everyone harsher than you are judged, and hate your neighbor or condemn folks 7 times 70, or pry into their bedrooms. Jesus didn’t even have a word in Aramaic that meant ‘homosexual’ (even the English word wasn’t coined until the 1890’s).
No, Jesus said, love your neighbour, judge not lest ye be judged, forgive others and that if you are looking down your nose at people you think are less holy than you, you are a Pharisee and not a true believer. He who is without sin is the only one to cast the first stone.
Rev. Monica Rosborough
Athabasca United Church
