Tell that to Gwen Araujo’s mother.

I’m not disagreeing that he should be tried as a juvenile, but why is it we think that only kids can turn their lives around with help? Are adults not capable of this same kind of transformation? And when does one cross that invisible line from changeable to unchangeable?

The person who opens up his heart and home and invites everyone in, regardless of their background, just like Jesus did, and demonstrates what Jesus taught without wanting recognition for it in terms of a label, will reach more hearts and minds than we could ever imagine

Amen to that sister!!

My experience has been that if individuals or groups of people are talked over with terms and words they do not understand, and if it is done in an assumptive manner as though they should understand, then feelings of separation and exclusion take hold. Jesus taught in the most simple of words so that everyone, regardless of their background or current belief, could understand Him. These people gravitated to Him because they felt included rather than excluded, and because of that, wanted to learn more about Him. He never referred to himself as a Christian or mandated it as the only way to be kind and ethical or understand each other – rather, He said “come, follow me”. I sincerely believe if Christians would identify themselves more with their actions and words towards others based on what Jesus taught, rather than continually using a term that has too many meanings for those who do not understand, then more people would gravitate to them and want to know more about their beliefs. This is how Jesus brought people to him and it is good enough for me to “follow”. The same for all people with differering beliefs – if the identities are center stage, the assumptions will follow. Assumptions separate and cause defenses that will always cause mis-understanding. If the words and actions come first, then perhaps that will be all the knowledge that is needed to identify the person. There is a very big divide right now that has manifested into so much anger, mis-understanding, and exclusion. It is almost like someone who has a big home and continually tells everyone that he is rich and makes it sound like those who are not can and never will have the same privilege because it is an exclusive club. The person who opens up his heart and home and invites everyone in, regardless of their background, just like Jesus did, and demonstrates what Jesus taught without wanting recognition for it in terms of a label, will reach more hearts and minds than we could ever imagine.

Do we know that Christians weren’t making the same appeal? But it wouldn’t have been news if they said it; people expect that the Christians wouldn’t favor adult treatment for this crime. Some would charge then that they were oblivious to the seriousness of this crime, that they minimalized the value of a young gay life. In this situation, the voices favoring mercy had to come from within the gay community. I’m glad they did.

It seems to me that humility rather than pride or comparison will always hands down be a more effective conduit for light.

Thank you Wendy – very well said. I would also just like to add that one does not have to identify as a Christian to be a conduit for light or doing what is morally right – there are people from all over the world who have different religions and faiths and beliefs who are able to recognize themselves in others and all the things we have in common and want to protect that by doing unto others as they would have them do unto them. It would be so cool to acknowledge the role we all play in civility to each other.