Even Christians are bloodthirsty for a fight against the gay community. Some believe that Matthew’s presentation of Jesus’ teaching on marriage said it all. “That at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'" There are those who believe Jesus was not talking about gay relationships and therefore it's moot. This is where we have a choice, we can get our feathers ruffled, choose to act in violence or be civil. There is something centrally wrong with many people of faith regarding their attitudes about homosexuals. They almost become unhinged. Before you spread noxious commentary from the keyboard, this article comes from a place of love as well as a place of a quandary. We don't have the answers, but one thing is certain we don't need another editorial on defending homosexuals or someone on defaming them. This is more from a place of how to treat people as humans. Consider these thoughts when approaching homosexuality in the church.

An ongoing battle.

American Baptist College caused controversy nationwide after inviting an actively gay Bishop to speak to the annual Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series. A group of pastors within the National Baptist Convention protested the move. Pastor Dwight McKissack of Cornerstone Church from Texas voiced his concerns. “Satan has strategically and successfully sought to secure sanctioning of same-sex marriage in every sector of society, including our spiritual houses of worship,” he told NBC 4 in Nashville. When we feel divided regarding any issue, we lean towards what feels right to us at the time. Yet, this also opens the door to pin one person against another. The church doors should be open to everyone. Intolerance is destroying potential relationships that we could build with the gay community.

Stop judging.

Some researchers suggest that there is a hereditary link causing people to be gay. Why a person is gay is not the problem, it's people not wanting to step into a church because they feel that they won't be embraced. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure, you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but does not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Jesus wasn't about religion, He was about ministering and loving people. This is not to say that having sin in our lives is acceptable. But it means that we need to take care of our own junk and still love people as Jesus intended us to do.

Treat them with respect.

If you want someone to respect your beliefs, you need to be able to treat theirs with respect. Colossians 3:12-15 said it best that we all are God's chosen ones. We need to be holy, compassionate and show kindness, humility and show meekness. "If one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body." Another way people get around this is by posting nasty things on social media. We call them "trolls" because they follow comments and dump their toxicity and leave. Loving others is a commandment, so we need to get real and learn to overcome the temptation to become harsh towards others. Peter shared "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

They can still love God.

Trey Pearson's was the lead singer of the Christian band Everyday Sunday and announced that he was gay. “There is absolutely no conflict with accepting who I am and following Jesus,” he said. “God wants me to be healthy, authentic, whole, integrated and my truest self. I definitely know how hard it was on my journey to be able to accept myself, and how other people’s voices and stories helped me." The news rocked the Christian community, but many accepted and respected Pearson's decision. Yes, people who are homosexual can love God and have a passion for Jesus. We need to love LGBT people because Jesus died for them as well. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another," Jesus said. This includes all of His creation, regardless of their sexual orientation.

We don't have all the answers, but one thing is certain. We need to act like Christ and put aside our hangups. In the end, it's up to God in what He decides. Right now, we just need to love. Remember we're instructed to not neglect hospitality to strangers because "Some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. " Humans will always thirst for a higher power, it's innate in us. Are Christian homosexuals any different?