In the Name of Love, Once More

So many times religious views are used against the LGBT community. But what really is the purpose of religion? Isn't is to teach us to love? To live in peace? I am deeply saddened when religion is used instead as a weapon of oppression toward anyone for any reason. When it is used as an excuse to kill a human being, I believe that nothing must truly dishonor God so greatly, nothing must hurt God so deeply. If this God is not compassionate, why believe? If the heaven of this God is an exclusive gated community of souls who have oppressed and condemned and killed others and wiped their hands clean of it, that is not where my own soul could rest in peace. That is not where I want to end up. I don't want to see a sign on the gate that says, \"No LGBT's.\"I don't want to see a sign that says, No anybody. I don't want to come to that party where my friends are not invited. What kind of God closes the door in people's faces? Or have you made yourself the gatekeeper?

What truly threatens our world today, what threatens our ability to sustain healthy life on this planet is that too many of our leaders, and too many greedy corporations are addicted to this drug of money and power, power over others. Like the addict in any family, he or she will bring the whole family down. War is a threat. Power over others is a threat. Greed is a threat. Hunger is a threat. Pollution is a threat. Lack of education is a threat. Lack of health care is a threat. People living without a sense of community, a sense of value and purpose is a threat. Mr. OZ, we can see behind the curtain. The LGBT community is not a threat. Please focus your efforts and our resources on what is real, on the real threats. Please do not succumb to this tempting drug of greed and power over others.