Judge Not ...

A few nights ago I went out with one of my best friends.  He, like most of my closest male friends, is gay.  Not surprising, considering the environment. And I've never really thought about it.  It seems like homosexuality goes hand-in-hand with theatre, and it's always just been a part of my life.

But that night on the drive home, this friend said something that really bothered me. We were talking religion and I mentioned something or other about being a Mormon, and he said, "Honey, I'm in the car. You're not a Mormon."  Now, I know I'm not the most devout member in the world.  I can't always make it to church and I've seen my fair share of R-rated movies, but I beg your pardon?

Come to find out, he wasn't attacking me when he said this.  He was simply reacting the way a 20-something gay has been brought up to react to what is considered a fairly "strict" religion.  If I were truly devout, I wouldn't be so much as giving him a ride.  Mormons, apparently (or, "true" Mormons) don't associate with gays. We don't love them, or care about them, or befriend them.

This is the idea that I can't stand.  This is what's been bothering me nonstop since that night.  The following is not an attack on anyone, and it is not meant to open up a heated debate.  This is just something I have to say.

To those of you who believe "true" Mormons are judgmental, exclusive and sheltered, I'm sorry.  You have every reason to feel that way, because honestly the radicals often speak the loudest, and it's their opinions that you hear.  But as far as I'm concerned, those Mormons don't understand the true message of Christ.

L.O.V.E

We are to love our families, our neighbors, and our enemies.  And if we are to love our enemies, those who have done us actual harm, how dare we assume that we shouldn't love everybody else as well?  In my own life, I have actually been harmed by homosexuality, and if anyone had a right to be angry about it, it would be me.  But I'm not.

And it is not my place to judge.  EVER.

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

Let he among you without sin cast the first stone.

If this is a sin, it is our place to forgive.

I leave you with this excerpt from one of President Uchtdorf's most memorable talks. My Mormon readers will have already heard it, but I'd like the rest of you to know what a real, "true" Mormon leader's veiws are :


This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:


Stop it!


It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.”


I can't say it any better than that. STOP IT. And to my wonderful friend, you know who you are. And you will always be welcome in my car, and in my life.