AIDS, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Inconsistency of the Church

Saturday night Cheri and I went to the AIDS Coalition "Unmask the Mysteries" Gala fundraiser. It was a "whos who" event in down town San Jose. The premise was to raise funds through corporate sponsors and through a silent auction of items donated from people all over the Bay Area. It was nice to mingle with people who care so much about fighting AIDS. There were 5 of us represented from WestGate (Beautiful Day's Living Well group). In fact, we were the only church represented at this event. I actually felt proud to be connected to WestGate and represent our church's ongoing support of those who are suffering from HIV and AIDS, but I was saddend by the lack of support from the evangelical community at large.

It baffles me that churches would work to respond to the AIDS pandemic globally, but make very little effort locally. What I find most ironic is churches rallying together to fight the gay community over legalized same-sex marriage, while making little to no response to those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Why is that? The whole fight feels inconsistant to me. We will rally together and unify churches to fight for something that protects a value that we hold, but we fail to come together to fight for those who are suffering.

I'm not saying that I don't share some of the same convictions with some of these churches about same-sex marriage. What I am saying is that I really dont like the way this thing is going down. The conservative evangelical community is going to do what it seems to do best... that is, rally together to stand "against" something, rather than rally together to stand "along side" someone.

The evangelical community has done so much damage in the past as it relates to the Gay Community and those suffering from HIV and AIDS, that our credibility to say anything worth listening to is almost entirely lost. The only credible voice comes in the form of a servant... who is willing to pick up a towel and wash feet.

The further we get to the Same Sex marriage initiatives in November, the more I will call people to humbly serve, to bless, to give, to care. If we rally around anything it will be around Jesus who came in the form of a servant, and healer. Jesus healed wounds and cared for those who were suffering... we should do the same.

For more information about AIDS Coalition Silicon Valley go to: www.AIDScoalition.org
-Make a one time donation
-register under "Team Beautiful Day" for the Oct 19th AIDS walk
-Donate your Vehicle