Would Jesus Discriminate Against Gays?

categories: Gay Rights and Religion, Religion and LGBT Rights, State LGBT News

Published September 10, 2009 @ 04:59PM PT

Would Jesus Discriminate?

Opponents of gay rights usually turn to religion to get their message across. But as a group of churches in Texas are pointing out, there's plenty of reason to believe that Jesus wouldn't discriminate against LGBT folks. And that's a slogan they're taking to new levels with an advertising campaign all along some Texan highways.

Several billboards have sprung up along Interstate 30 between Fort Worth and Grand Prairie, Texas, calling on Christians to remember that Jesus didn't hate or judge. And if Jesus didn't hate or judge, then Christians shouldn't be in the business of discriminating against LGBT people.

"The Would Jesus Discriminate? Campaign and program is designed to engage people of all backgrounds and in all communities in the important topic of discrimination in order to spur this shift," said campaign organizers. "For millennia, societies and religions have participated in discrimination against their members in overt and subtle ways. From perspectives of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity to the more subtle ongoing oppression regarding health, age and language."

The billboards are sponsored by five different Metropolitan Community Churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and their goal is to get people thinking and talking during their morning commute, the afternoon rush hour, or the drive down to the grocery store. And as you can see from the video below, they're definitely getting the attention of some.

The use of religion to discriminate is not Christlike. That's the message of these billboards. And if they get a few folks to re-read their Bibles and understand that discrimination isn't a Biblical principle, then we're all better off with these billboards popping up alongside the highway.

(Photo courtesy of http://planetransgender.blogspot.com)

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Comments (18)

I saw this yesterday over at Pam's House Blend. I LOVE IT!!!!! I especially love that they sought a person having issues with it. "I cringed. I was disgusted......." with her nasty holier than thou attitude.

Posted by Dave Hershey on 09/10/2009 @ 05:03PM PT
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Let's see, He hung around with twelve guys, had a foot fetish, and befriended sex workers. I would tend to think that He would not discriminate. Neither would Santa. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 09/10/2009 @ 07:31PM PT
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LOL! I'm not so sure about that last one. I've heard of Santa leaving coal for some kids.

Posted by Dave Hershey on 09/10/2009 @ 07:47PM PT
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Jesus loves everyone, gay or not. It does say in the Bible not to do that, but it also says that God forgives everyone.

Posted by J jamiesolome on 09/10/2009 @ 08:39PM PT
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The bible says not to do what? Ugh, the bible says not to do waaaaaay too many things that are not applicable in today's world/society. Many people do not live their life by the bible or believe in God. More importantly we live in a country that is to be seperation of church and state, yet religious people who faught so hard for their freedoms tend to forget that.

I appreciate these churches pointing out that the bigots are not following the path of Jesus, but own their own hatred. I pray for those that use the bible as a weapon.

Posted by Sean Stidham on 09/11/2009 @ 02:21AM PT
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What the hell does jesus have to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by dee schiavone on 09/10/2009 @ 11:11PM PT
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The discrimination itself is a great injustice, but what's worse is the notion of the haters -- thanks to their religious teachings -- that a book designed for a group of middle-eastern goat-herders is applicable to today's society, that EVERYONE must follow this book, and those who do not conform to the archaic rules set forth therein (for any reason) are damned. (Evangelicals, I'm looking you right in the eye.)

Posted by Shawna Burt on 09/11/2009 @ 12:19AM PT
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Its about time we started seeing stuff like this...

In my opinion...Jehovah would have discriminated but then he's an evil god anyways.

Jesus on the other hand wouldnt have had any problems with the homosexual community.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/11/2009 @ 05:16AM PT
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I am so tired of the right wing religious types running our country. The have a narrow agenda everybody must be like them.

They want to dictated to all women how they handle and unwanted or unhealthy pregnancy.

They want to convert all gays or just kill them.

Why can't they just enjoy their religious freedom and support our beliefs as well?? Quit trying to dictate how I live my life.

CFH

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 09/11/2009 @ 12:14PM PT
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I am so happy this is getting discussion started within the religious community. I think they're the biggest barrier to LGBT people receiving full equality under the law.

Posted by Courtney C............ on 09/11/2009 @ 12:56PM PT
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I wish someone would do this in my state....

Posted by Courtney C............ on 09/11/2009 @ 01:19PM PT
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All it takes is money and support from enough people in the surrounding community. I'm happy that they did this in my home town and that it's forcing people to deal with the issue.

Posted by Sean Stidham on 09/11/2009 @ 02:17PM PT
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One's personal relationship to God, in whichever form we choose to believe, is the way whereby we bring ourselves closer to divinity, uplifting our spirit and bringing peace and harmony to our lives and the world at large.

Religion organizes people into opposition and vies for control of social structure. It is a tool of political power and oppression in the disguise of divine teaching.

Posted by Fred Frankenberg on 09/11/2009 @ 02:43PM PT
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Well said.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 09/11/2009 @ 06:25PM PT
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The Metropolitan Community Churches are doing the correct thing by keeping billboards in Texas for the necessary purpose of spreading equality. The use of religion to discriminate against LGBT people is unjustified. The Catholic Church, most especially the intolerant Catholic Church of Maine and the intolerant Vatican spew intolerance for their terrible reason of bigotry. The billboards are spreading tolerance for the LGBT community so that intolerance will continue to erode.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 09/11/2009 @ 03:30PM PT
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I think this is wonderful. I hope the campaign can be extended to other locales. If the haters can use the Bible for hate, we can use it to foster tolerance.

Even though I'm Pagan, I say "You ROCK, MCC!"

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 09/14/2009 @ 07:25AM PT
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Indeed and this pagan concurs with you mr. lightoller.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/14/2009 @ 04:33PM PT
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Religion sure has a way to throw an unnecessary wedge between people. People need medical care, people are starving, we are at war. And all some can worry about is someone elses sexual preference. I have a brother that votes republican only to prevent gays from getting married, he is a southern baptist. My wife and I have been married for 20 years, and no matter how many gays got married in that time has not effected my mariage at all. Equality for all. Peace for all. Better Panic

Posted by Better Panic on 11/21/2009 @ 08:00PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.