Editor:

You may want to re-read Romans 1, please take into account that Paul was writing to a group of people and many were practicing homosexuality and other sexual behaviors. In the very first chapter it is written that God is against homosexuality. How then can someone practicing something that God is against be a Christian?

Michael & Lynette Reed

Michael & Lynette,

Oh my GOD! God is against homosexuality?? Why didn't anyone tell me this before I started this magazine? You mean .. right there .. in the Bible .. God's infallible word .. homosexuality is condemned? I am SO glad someone finally pointed this out to me. I must have missed this passage completely the several times I've read the Bible.

Wow .. the veil is lifted from my eyes. I'll shut this magazine down today! How could I have ever listened to that Jesus guy when he said "whosoever?" I took him at his word. Do you mean to say this Paul guy is calling Jesus a liar? I am eternally sorry that I took that Jesus fellow literally. I mean, who would have thought that "whosoever" actually meant "only those who believe rightly and read and interpret the Bible as I do, and who follow all the rules of the church, even the ones that don't make any sense and everyone else is condemned to eternal hellfire?"

How silly I've been. Can you, Michael & Lynette, ever forgive me? Because, truly, it is your idea of Christianity that I must live up to, isn't it?

In God's perfect love, and my perfect sarcasm,

Candace Chellew
Editor

Okay .. so I didn't send this letter .. and I doubt Michael & Lynette will return to Whosoever anytime soon .. but, boy, it felt good to write it.

Sometimes, you just have to wonder at folks who begin letters with "You might want to re-read Romans 1" ... like I haven't? Over and over again I've read Romans 1. It was Romans 1 that kept me away from God and the church for most of my adult life, thank you very much. Romans 1 was the stumbling block placed in my path by people like Michael & Lynette. It was people like Troy Perry and Mel White who removed the stumbling block from my path and welcomed me back into God's household. I realize some people don't like me being among the flock, but that's their problem. The guy I believe is the guy who said "whosoever" not the people who think I can't read.

Finally, it was Romans 1 that made me realize how harmful the words of the Bible can be when used improperly. My task has become to do what Troy and Mel have been doing for years .. removing the barriers to God that people like the Reeds so gleefully place in the paths of gay, lesbian, bi and transgendered Christians. I might remind the Reeds that shutting the gates of heaven on others is certainly something God is against. [Matthew 23:13-14]

Paul can be translated many ways and there are many articles and books you can read on Romans 1. Begin with our section on Romans in What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? Then read some excellent books like What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel A. Helminink or New Testament and Homosexuality by Robin Scroggs.

Me? I'll stick with my interpretation of "whosoever." I take Jesus at his word that we are all included in God's realm, whether we're gay, lesbian, straight, bi, or transgendered.

Blessings,
Candace