Over the last several weeks I have been reflecting over the passage “made in the image of God” found in Genesis 1:26 – 30, primarily due to the fallout from the Senator Larry Craig incident. What does it mean to be made in the image of God and how should GLBT people reclaim their own “image”. As far as the Larry Craig, I was wondering what would lead a 62 year old “conservative – religious” man who has “championed family values and the sanctity of traditional marriage” to solicit sex in a men’s airport bathroom. I would propose the following would and do lead many to such behavior: sex-loathing and self-denial due to societal exclusion of GLBT individuals.
Larry Craig’s actions are a sad reminder of what self-loathing and denial of self can and lead someone to do. If Larry lived in a society and had the support of a community to be who he really is, he would not have to lurk in one of the most unsanitary places to seek out a God given desires, intimacy and acceptance. Unfortunately, it is apparent that Larry could only seek a distorted and cheap form of intimacy as a result of his self-loathing and denial. Last fall, I heard Wayne Besen use the phrase, “the closet is toxic”. I believe Larry Craig and his behavior is another example to prove this idea to be true. Self-loathing and living in constant fear of being “found out” or “outted” can lead one to behaviors, if not embarrassing, dangerous and destructive, as Larry has shown.
In terms of Christianity, I personally believe that one of the greatest sins is to not accept who you are. Let me explain; if a person confesses Christ as savior and says Christ is now living within them and then turn around and deny the Christ-life dwelling within them by not being true to whom they are is sin. By denying, suppressing, or hiding your true sexuality is a slap in God’s face, because you are saying to God, you made a mistake - I can’t accept who you made me. My brothers and sisters, God doesn't make mistakes!!!
I leave you with these words of affirmation: You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14), you were on God’s mind before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:2), and God sent Christ to show and give you Love (John 3:16), which includes love of self. God created you in God’s image, not in the image of the Republican Party or neo-conservatives or any other religious group. Do not allow yourself to become another Larry Craig, embrace and love yourself as God created you; don’t let anyone take that love of self and Christ away from you because in reality only you can give someone that power.
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