The Lutheran Georgen Parochial cemetery was established in 1814 in central Berlin, Germany. I’m guessing its founders would not have predicted the day when a section would be reserved as a graveyard for up to 80 lesbians. This unique section is intended to be a place “where the lesbian community can live together in the afterlife.” I need to point out that while we will all have an afterlife, it will not be in a cemetery. And I wonder if/when we will see other such cemeteries around the world.
Is this announcement part of an even larger cultural trend?
Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. will now be home to a National LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) Memorial. The group behind this veterans’ memorial also hopes to place a monument to its cause on the Washington Mall at some point in the future. Will we see similar monuments around the country?
The Obama Administration’s Office of Personnel Management has published guidelines for “transitioning” federal employees (those who are in the process of changing their gender). During this process, such personnel are to be permitted access to restrooms and locker rooms assigned to the gender they are becoming. In other words, a male “transitioning” to become a female is now allowed to use facilities reserved for women. Will such guidelines become employment law across America?
I believe that God created us as male and female (Genesis 1:27), and intended marriage for monogamous heterosexuals (Matthew 19:4-5). If you agree, how does the current trend regarding homosexual identity and expression make you feel about your culture? Are you angry and wish you could fight back somehow? Are you resigned to minority status as you await further encroachments on your religious convictions?
I would like to suggest a third option.
The first Christians were called to be salt and light in a culture as morally adrift as ours. Their government required them to worship the emperor or face imprisonment and even death. All manner of homosexual acts were common in their society. Temple prostitutes were available in every city. Religions options included the gods of Mt. Olympus, mystery cults, Eastern deities, pagan rites, Judaism, and the new faith founded by Jesus. How would his followers relate to such a confused culture?
They addressed the moral issues of their day with clear, bold biblical truth. Many paid for their truth-telling with their lives. But they did not reject those who rejected them. To the contrary, they obeyed Jesus’ mandate to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And the truth they spoke from praying hearts of love changed the world.
It still does.
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