Not All Christians Love Trump, Hate Gays, and Think Anyone Who Disagrees With Them Will Burn in Hell

My Christian faith is the main reason I’m a liberal Democrat

What assumptions do you make when you learn that someone is a Christian? Do you think that person must be a right-wing Republican who voted for Trump? Are you confident they believe abortions should be illegal in all circumstances, including rape? Would you be shocked to see a “Black Lives Matter” sign or a rainbow flag at their home? Does it seem likely that they are convinced that people who don’t share their beliefs (not just people of other faiths or no faith, but also fellow Christians who are members of different denominations or otherwise see things differently than they do) are destined to burn in hell for eternity?

While there are certainly plenty of Christians who do fit into those categories, there are also quite a few of us do not. Unfortunately, we do not always get the chance to explain why it is precisely our desire to be faithful followers of Christ that compels us to do things like support equal protection under the law for everyone, respect and even seek to learn from non-Christians, celebrate our LGBTQ+ siblings and do ministry together, and work to address issues like racial bias in the criminal justice system and the inhumane treatment of immigrants. Once people learn that we are Christian, either the assumptions listed above or their own painful past encounters with other Christians sometimes cause them to back away before any meaningful dialogue can occur.

A friend recently shared that he had noticed people distancing themselves from him both physically and emotionally when they saw his cross necklace. It seemed as if they felt the need to protect themselves from him. He mentioned that it happened often enough that he had started wearing that necklace underneath his shirt, so it would not be visible to others and scare them off.

I found this sad, but not surprising. Many people have been wounded by Christians speaking words of condemnation. They have decided that it is not safe to be around Christians, because their experience has been that Christians judge them, reject them and/or try to convert them. Christians advocate for laws and policies that make life more difficult for them. In short, Christians hurt them.

This is why I believe it is so important to spread the word that there is a wide spectrum of beliefs among Christians. For instance, I celebrate the fact that the denomination of which I am a member, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has now ordained its first transgender bishop, and began ordaining openly LGBTQ pastors more than a decade ago. I am proud of the fact that we have ministers who gladly officiate at same-sex weddings, and publicly oppose legislation that legalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

While not every ELCA pastor or member is happy about these realities, there are many “Reconciling in Christ” congregations (and other organizations) who have embraced them and developed welcome statements making it clear that ALL people are indeed welcome. You can find a list of them here. These congregations have also committed themselves to antiracism and working for racial equity.

Furthermore, the ELCA is only one of the major denominations that are seeking to not only welcome, but also advocate for and with, people who have been marginalized. The Presbyterian Church near my home has a sign flashing messages like “Black Lives Matter,” “We Stand With our Asian Neighbors,” and “We Stand With Our Jewish Neighbors Against Anti-Semitism,” along with a rainbow flag. Their brochure states that they are a church that

takes the Bible seriously not literally, Whose family values include married, divorced, single, gay, and straight people, who loves children and affirms women’s rights.

The United Church of Christ’s website proudly notes that they were

the first historically white denomination to ordain an African-American, the first to ordain a woman, the first to ordain an openly gay man, and the first Christian church to affirm the right of same-gender couples to marry.

The Episcopal Church lists “racial reconciliation” as a mission priority on its website and features this prayer

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I could list many more examples, but hopefully I’ve made my point. All of these denominations are imperfect institutions, and every congregation consists of individual Christians who are all sinners, so we sometimes fail at being the loving, welcoming, supportive advocates for justice that we hope to be.

Still, I think it is important to add my voice to others seeking to spread the word that Christians are a very diverse group, so please don’t assume you know what I believe based on that fact alone. More importantly, don’t assume that every Christian will reject or try to convert you just because you’ve encountered some who have done so. Most importantly, don’t let unloving people keep you from experiencing a loving God.

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