Global Solidarity

By Camille

I was not lost, but I do believe in God.

This blog will focus on spiritual redemption, something I talked about in pretty much all of my blogs before this one. The idea that you must be a lost soul in order to know the true saving grace of God, of the Lord. For me, as a Christian, a believer in God, I do not believe that I was lost, I was not in desperate need of saving from anything because I am only 22 years of age, I have not had those experiences. But why is that seemingly a checkpoint for Christian believers?

The concept of being "lost" or in need of salvation is central to understanding one's relationship with God. This idea originates from biblical references where Jesus speaks of seeking out those who are lost (Luke 19:10) and the metaphorical imagery of sheep that wander away (Matthew 18:12-14). Similarly, The notion of being lost is often linked to the idea of sin and separation from God's intended purpose for individuals. According to Christian theology, all humans are born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23), which separates them from God. The concept of redemption through Christ's sacrifice on the cross is therefore seen as essential for restoring this relationship and bringing individuals back into communion with God. An interesting intersecting point to this idea of being lost, is that some believers will use that against the LGBT+ community. That they were lost, they were desperately seeking Gods love unbeknownst to themselves. But you can be LGBT+ and a believer. If your religion says that someone needs to rid themselves of parts of their identity because the heavenly people do not like that, then why should they follow your religion?

I am sure, almost every Christian regardless of denomination, and almost every atheist and ex-Christian understands the typical bible verses used to degrade the LGBT+ community, Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. These are the bible verses used as a weapon against marginalized bodies who are trying to reconcile themselves to their purpose in their world with their identity, and then you have people who are "afraid for them" and spout out bible verses in hopes the holy message resonates within their "sinful" identity and that they come to find the Lord. But that is not how that happens? You can't utilize the bible as a weapon of discrimination. You can't use the Lord's holy words as a weapon of mass destruction. 

This "fear" and misunderstanding that surrounds discussion of the LGBT+ community within religious context only leads to the justification of exclusion and discrimination in the name of the Lord, and we all know that the Lord would never condone or act upon such barbarous character. Are religious people genuinely concerned for the spirituality of the LGBT+ community or is it just a desire to enforce conformity to traditional beliefs? If so, what exactly is the expected outcome of conformity to traditional beliefs? How will those traditional beliefs impact us? Will we be tormented until those evil gay demons have been zapped out? Also, what is it exactly that traditionalists think those demons are telling the LGBT+ community to do? Is this concern about the salvation of the LGBT+ community rooted in the want to instill fear in the LGBT+ community so that they feel compelled to come to Jesus? 

The same people who are afraid of diverse identities are probably the same people who are afraid of people crossing racial or ethnic lines. This fear of losing something due to traditional society being uprooted by diversity in ethnicities, gender, and sexuality is odd, because how do you think Native Americans felt enduring profound losses and disruptions due to European colonization, which included displacement from their lands, cultural erasure, forced assimilation, and the decimation of populations through disease and violence? How do you think Africans felt about the brutal effects of the transatlantic slave trade, where millions were forcibly taken from their homes, families, and cultures to be enslaved in the Americas. This traumatic displacement resulted in the loss of cultural identities, languages, and ancestral connections? This issue with colonialism and imperialism is still going on with the displacement of the Congolese, the Palestinians, the Syrian refugees, the Yemeni Civilians, the South Sudanese Refugees, and Iraqi and Afghan refugees who have been facing decades of conflict. These are countries that also have communities of LGBT+ minorities who are facing these conflicts, this "fear" and buffoonery in response to the LGBT+ community should be channeled into fear of innocent lives being terminated and harmed due to prejudice.

If you are afraid of what is happening in the US because people are kneeling for the Pledge of Allegiance, then you are completely missing the point and are in a position of power that allows you to turn a blind eye to the racial prejudice and ethnic cleansing going on. There is no justice and freedom for all until marginalized communities are free, and that does not just include marginalized communities in the U.S., that means all because the U.S. is a global superpower with substantial influence in various regions and on global issues such as trade, diplomacy, and security, meaning the U.S. has an indirect direct hand in the brutal annihilation of the innocent citizens of Palestine, Israel, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, etc. 

If there is anything to be prayed over and feared for, it is the millions of lives lost due to the brutalities of the United States of America. The only ones in an identity crisis are those who think they can live a peaceful life while black and brown citizens of the world are paying for the historical and ongoing impacts of patriarchal and white-dominated structures, exacerbated by systemic injustices perpetuated by American policies and societal norms. Addressing these issues requires advocating for systemic change, accountability for historical injustices, and solidarity across marginalized communities to dismantle oppressive structures and promote equality and opportunity for all. Your belief, my belief, our beliefs do not absolve us of our hand in the harm and discrimination of others. The teachings and example of Jesus shows and tells us believers that any kind of prejudice, discrimination, racism, or treating people in an inferior way, is a sin and therefore not acceptable. 

You have now reached the end of a brief essay of passion for justice and equality. Continue to proclaim  Leve Palestina, Peace for Yemen, Justice for All, Stand with Syria Stand for Peace, Strength in Unity Hope for Congo, Free Palestine End Occupation, Unity in Diversity Peace for South Sudan, Unity for CAR, Hope for humanity, Peace and Reconciliation for Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In the end, always remember that there is no justice, no peace, and no freedom until ALL are free.