I want to change the world, and this

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-school28-2009jan28,0,3503114.story?track=rss

is one of the many things I want to change. My lj friend 

everflame

  posted her thoughts on that link here
http://everflame.livejournal.com/503388.html
 

A private Lutheran School has expelled two girls for loving each other. This from the news link. The dispute started when a student at the school told a teacher in 2005 that one of the girls had said she loved the other. The student advised the teacher to look at the girls' MySpace pages. One of the girls was identified as bisexual on her MySpace page, the other's page said she was "not sure" of her sexual orientation 

I’m disappointed, but not surprised, with the schools decision, and I imagine the school would have acted the same way if the students had been boys. What if Jesus had attended the school and told his footy mates that he loved them? I’m no theologian, but I can’t remember Jesus discriminating against anybody.

A lot of what I write about you have to trust that I’m telling the truth, and this is one of those moments. I remember my life as Judas with increasing frequency. Most of those flashes will never be talked about, but I’m sharing this for the Christians, and everybody else, who still condemns homosexuality. After all you follow the example of God’s Son.

There have been times when I’ve thought Judas was gay, because I’ve never remembered having a wife or partner. One thing I remember is being bathed and oiled by Jesus many times. Yes, two naked men, warm water, rough hands, and dangly bits. Jesus made you feel loved, and a part of that feeling manifested as arousal. He knew the affect he had on people, and was comfortable with this, and at times teasing.

Jesus and Judas slept beside each other many times, and sometimes we have been naked. Our robes were not made of the finest clothe, and it was more comfortable sleeping with the cool night air against our skin. When we travelled Jesus would heal men, women and children, and often fell asleep beside these people. He softened the strongest man, and loved the hardest woman.  

No, we didn’t have sex, but our relationship extended further than camaraderie. We were brothers, friends, family, and lovers. In Jesus’ company you felt loved, as if you were the only person in the world. When he looked into your eyes, you knew he saw into your heart. This is how we’re supposed to live.

This feeling caused people to become jealous, because the honesty and freedom in the moment overwhelmed you. It’s hard to see your spouse, child, mentor, or friend captivated and happy around a stranger.

Jesus’ power heightened and exposed personality traits in people. We all lie: no I’m not jealous, I’m angry because …, I love you, I love myself. Most of the time people experienced freedom and joy, but with resistance, and I see this while healing, some dangerous emotions were exposed.        

Jesus had strong views and he defended his beliefs without attacking another’s. People were threatened by his honesty and strength, but he threatened no one¾he defended the weak. He was a charismatic public speaker, which was something he worked hard to be, because he had been a shy child.

Can we stop this now?

For two thousand years Christians have persecuted others. We do it in Gods name, and quote from a book written by anonymous scribes, and numerous editors. As clearly as I can see Jesus standing beside me, I can also see the parchments that have been lost, to thieves, and decay. Jesus is telling me that the early texts have not always been accurately translated.  

How many of God’s men have sexually abused children, parishioners, and each other? Christian rule is not a democracy. What we decree and resist the most we act out violently. Resistance is not freedom.

Joy. Truth. Freedom. Life.

Two girls were expelled for saying, “I love you.” Imagine how that felt. The I love you, not the judgement.

Can we stop this now?