THE UGLY FACE OF CHRISTIANITY

Seems like every time I turn around, someone is lashing out at homosexuals, immigrants or some other minority "in the name of the Lord." It's been getting me down. We have a president who waves his conservative Christianity in our faces as the core of his moral philosophy. He uses his religious beliefs to defend his position against gay marriage. Whatever happened to a separation of church and state? Have we forgotten how dangerous it is to let leaders be guded by their own particular faith? These are frightening times in America. G.W. has traded his addiction to alcohol and cocaine for an addiction to conservative religious dogma, and he's dipping the flag of our country in this holy manure. [My apologies to the chimp pictured alongside the presidential boob. I'm sure the comparison is extremely lopsided and unfair to you.]

Last year, I watched WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED on video. It was a very effective and moving film about a woman's redemption. I was impressed. Then I started to learn about T.D. Jakes, the preacher who's ministry financed the film in which he also makes a cameo appearance. I confess I was ignorant to this fatheaded idiot, but I soon learned about his extremist Pentacostal views of homosexuality and gay marriage. This lisping waterheaded twit travels around the world, broadcasts on radio and television spreading his poisonous message of intolerance "in the name of the Lord." He rakes in millions of dollars through is books, speaking engagements and subsidies from the Conservative Right who are using T.D. Jokes and other likeminded African-American preachers to spread their campaign against gay marriage, which is a campaign against Equal Rights for all. It's sickening to me. I intend to be careful about the movies I rent or buy tickets to see from now on.

I was a fan of Mansdisa from the very first time I saw her on American Idol. I even voted for her last week before she was eliminated from the show. The next day, I started seeing articles about her strong religious beliefs and her intolerance toward homosexuals. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was some kind of smear campaign. Then I read an interview with her on The Advocate website. She spoke of how her religion does not accept homosexuality and neither does she. When asked if she would ever perform at an event that was sponsored by gays, she said "No." I was heartbroken. Once again the ugly face of Christianity has spit in my eye. I'm glad Mandisa is off American Idol now, because I no longer have to look at her face. A face I once considered attractive, but now, all I see is the ugliness of intolerance.

I will no longer support any person, organization, film, book, entertainer or anyone else I find to be intolerant of homosexuality. I loved Beanie Man and a lot of other reggae artists, but until they stop voicing their anti-gay venom, I will no longer purchase or even listen to their music. It's time for me to become radical, too. I'm tired of being hurt these morons who express their hatred and make no connection to the fact that they are just another in a long line of persecutors who will eventually fall because they are wrong.

When I was a boy, I was taught "God is Love." I still believe that. I refuse to align my God with intolerant organized religions who spread hatred in his name. AMEN!