Pilar Rodriguez

Today, LGBT are being ordained as clergy in many religious sectors. Some Bibles are being printed using inclusive language. There are those who stand against these advances and find it threaten to their accustomed way of living. I'm lead to believe it was in the oppressive context that Christianity was born.

Progressive theological thinkers hail Jesus as a feminist because of the way he elevated female's role in already dichotomy thinking society. I spoke openly with others who have been burned by church traditions. I've read articles after articles of different discriminations and prejudices presented in our churches against LGBT and those different from the dichotomy thinking.

Apostle Paul stated in Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (New International Version Bible). I'm lead to believe that Jesus called on for a policy of equality for humanity. I believe any teaching from the Bible asking for the need of submission is a blatant misinterpretation of the scriptures.

I've taken some long hours examining the revelation I've found about the lies and propaganda I was told in my church in the name of our God. I've cried myself to sleep endless of nights repenting at my participation in the asinine thinking of my church. I took a position early in this research to purge myself of any residual homophobic thoughts.

I put in well over 20 hours in preparing for my speech on open mic night about the discrimination I endured when I took my best friend (whom is Gay) to my Christian church. When I final presented my thoughts on how someone I loved didn't fit my church ideals I felt empowered. Also I literally felt the years of bondage fall off invisible from my body and I felt peace.

Do you ever stare in the mirror my Friend and ever wonder what life would look like if your best Friend wasn't around anymore one day? I did and I want to share my story with you.

'Here's the church and here's the steeple' a Sunday school rhythm I remember learning as grew up as a kid. I have good memories of my church experience. I remember church was a fun place to go. The one day

'Open the doors and see all the people', but this time I wasn't a kid anymore! I was an adult sitting in church with my best Friend. Listening to the preacher condemn homosexuality. I felt the shame of bringing my Friend to church that day!

'Close the doors and listen to them pray'. My soul couldn't stop crying that day. My Friend, why should people have to feel like they're on the outside looking in? 'Open the doors and they all walk away', but this time my Friend we're on the outside of the steeple looking in. And beyond the steeple we see so much pain!

Why is it my Friend, we must still struggle with the task of rethinking oppressive elements of traditional theological notions? Why my Friend, must we struggle to maintain a positive view of the scriptures? My Friend, I close with this last thought; discrimination affects us all!