Vandalism Continues; Plenty of Hate, Yet More Love: Ongoing Vandalism of LGBTQIA2S+ Churches

Vandalism continues. 

In the last few weeks, our flag, posted in front of the church parking lot, that says, “Abide No Hatred,” with a background of rainbow colors (though not the rainbow flag of the LGBTQIA2S+ community) has been torn twice in the last few weeks. It was torn soon after we replaced it, covering over the message or passage from Romans 1:18-32 that was scrawled in blue spray paint. Thanks to Tim West, who put up the wooden sign post that the flag is posted on, he put grommets around the sign, so it is harder to tear. Thankfully, others have placed an order and sent us more signs. 

If interested in sending us a flag, here’s the link: https://bsgeneralstore.com/products/abide-no-hatred-flag. Though it says it is currently sold-out (!) I’m sure they will re-stock. Our church address is La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper Ave., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Or feel free to go to lamesapresabq.org, and go to our donation page, and make a donation of $45 for a new flag.

On advocate.com, there is also a story of a church in a similar situation at Virginia-Highland Church in Atlanta, Georgia. As reported by Donald Padgett:

"The banner proclaimed, 'A just world for all' and was torn down by an unidentified man on Tuesday afternoon at the Virginia-Highland Church in Atlanta.

'It was witnessed being torn down by a gentleman who tore it down very aggressively, clearly trying to make a statement, unfortunately,' Virginia-Highland Church Pastor Matt Laney told local Fox affiliate WAGA-TV.

The church is about 40 percent LGBTQ+ and Laney said the vandalism might be the hateful result of the church’s progressive and inclusive policies. While Christian churches in the Bible Belt have a reputation for anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs, Laney said the Virginia-Highland Church is all about loving one another.'

'God is a God of love and inclusion, big tent, and that everyone belongs,' Laney said. 'Those who are marginalized, those who have been pushed to the edges of our community, are especially seen and loved by God.'”

Here’s a link to the article: https://www.advocate.com/affirming-church-lgbtq-vandalized-georgia

Like Virginia-Highland Church in Atlanta, we have quite a few members who are people of faith and part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. No doubt there is a rise in violence against communities of faith that support LGBTQIA2S+ people. Our neighbors have only expressed support of the new sign. More likely than not, the vandalism is coming from outside the community. We will continue to post our sign up that here, among us, we do not abide hatred. Hatred is not a Christian virtue, to say the least. Here, and among us, we practice love or charity. It is a daily practice. Everyday, we choose love, no matter what. Somedays, doing this is harder than others. As followers of Jesus, the Pilgrim God, we really have no choice but to love, enemies, strangers, friends, and all.

May it be so.

And thanks, in advance, for the support.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflections on the Day The United Methodist Church Came Into the 21st Century

Welcome, members of The United Methodist Church (UMC), who, this day, May 1st, 2024, joined the 21st century, affirming the presence and welcoming those of us who are LGBTQIA2S+ people to be ordained, to serve churches, to marry, and to officiate at other weddings of same sex couples. Heck, you can now even use funds from within the UMC to pursue funding programs that assist people who are LGBTQIA2S+ in being and becoming more of the body of Christ through the practices of Methodism. Imagine: You can now focus on other issues that are facing Christendom! Hunger. Poverty. Peace-making programs. Gun control. Global climate. Houselessness. You name it. Praise God. Here’s a link to the news:  https://religionnews.com/2024/05/01/united-methodists-strike-down-ban-on-ordination-of-gay-clergy/  This day was, indeed, a long way in coming. 1972 is when that horrible language was published as part of your Constitution. Richard Nixon was President. HIV/AIDS was not yet an issue.  I’v...
Read more

The Threat of Stoning a Black Gay Man in Oregon! Time to Rise Up!

 As reported by Rachel Shatto in the Advocate.com website on Aug. 5, 2021 (that is 2021), Eric Osterberg, who is assistant to the city manager of Klamath Falls and staff-lead for the city's equity task force, was about to deliver a report on equity in the city before the city council when a man stood up with a stone the size of his hand and said to Eric: "Oh, so you think we are all racists? You think you are the second coming of Christ?" The man then accused Eric of spreading HIV and AIDS, saying he was blasphemous for being a Black gay man. The man continued: "You are a sinner and you need to be stoned. That is why I brought this stone."  The man with the stone was simply escorted out of the building by Klamath Falls police chief Robert Dentinger and simply released and sent home rather than being arrested, though Dentinger said he may have to talk with the man with the stone more in the future. You think? "The incident left Osterberg shaken. 'I felt ...
Read more

Discriminating in the Name of God at Calvin University

I read this article on advocate.com, by Trudy Ring, about an assistant professor on the faculty of Calvin University, who was fired from his position at Calvin because he officiated at a wedding of a same sex couple. The by-line? " Joseph Kuilema lost his job with Calvin University after officiating a queer couple's wedding. He's disgusted that the school discriminates in the name of God. ” That about says it all. Yes, the University is discriminating against LGBTQIA2S+ people and allies. I don’t get it. There are a lot of  smart, creative, insightful people at Calvin University. They don’t have to “buy” into the conservative politics of the Christian Reformed Church, of which they are connected. They are an institution of higher education. Surely, they can see discrimination when it is around them in the Grand Rapids area.  But apparently they are all right with openly practicing discrimination among themselves, especially when it comes to LGBTQIA2S+ people.  F...
Read more