It's Complicated

Conflict of interests.

13 [a]They sent some Pharisees and Herodians to him to ensnare him in his speech.[b] 14 They came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s status but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or should we not pay?” 15 Knowing their hypocrisy he said to them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to look at.” 16 They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They replied to him, “Caesar’s.” 17 So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed at him.-Mark12:13-17

The other day, my sister challenged me about same-sex issues. She asked why can't the Church accept same-sex marriages, and so on and so forth. To say that you are not in favor of same-sex marriages will incur the wrath of the LGBT community. To say that you are in favor of same-sex marriages will incur the wrath of many groups, institutions and religions. So what will one say? I felt how Jesus felt when He was being trapped by both the Pharisees and the Herodians. If Jesus says, 'No, don't pay taxes to Caesar,' is a passport to His arrest. If He says, 'Yes, pay taxes to Caesar,' will incur the wrath of the Pharisees. Jesus dealt with the situation by separating one's obligations to God and to political leaders. The challenge to political leaders is to make laws for the betterment of the country and that includes the moral side of it. The challenge to religious leaders is to make the love of God and His Kingdom felt by all but not in a way that is suffocating, judging and condemning. How should one deal with LGBT issues? It's complicated, but the best way to start is to Love them. I do believe that the LGBT community deserves to be treated with respect and love. And I do believe that they can be happier, they can have a fulfilling life, they can have a beautiful life while at the same time attuned to God, to holiness and goodness. We do not have to be people of this 'world' just to achieve happiness.

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