Today, I feel inspired to speak on the matter of love, specifically for others who are different or believe differently than we do.

I know that some who have left fundamental religion no longer belive in Christian doctrine and I respect that. However, that is the best way I can relate to those who are still in strict religions, so I hope everyone can also respect that.

This topic has been on my mind for some time now! When I was a member of the Laestadian Lutheran Church, I was homophobic and somewhat racist, if I'm being entirely honest. It makes me sad to think back to those times because that is wrong and not how God would want us to treat others. The two greatest commandments are to love God and love others. I have heard many LLC members making horrible comments about the gay/transgender/lesbian community and although it may go against the church's doctrine, I don't believe it is okay to slander others. Regardless of how anyone chooses to live their life, they are worthy of love. Jesus Christ himself sat with tax collectors and sinners and loved them all the same as His own followers. If He is our example, we should love everyone else the same. I remember the time before I started working at my favorite coffee shop, Mercury's, in Washington State. I would say mean comments about homosexual people and their lifestyle. But after some time there, where I was often working with others of different sexual orientation than me, I grew to love all of them and I could no longer understand the distaste I had toward them. I share this because I am different now and I am extremely embarrassed that I ever had that mindset but I didn't know any different because that is how I was raised.

Now, I love everyone, as Jesus Christ says we should. I want to follow His example, and that means loving everyone, even those who are different than us.

The same approach goes for the judgement towards others who believe differently, condemning them, and the treatment of those who were ex-communicated during the time of the last heresy (July of 2022). How is this love? It deeply bothers me that this is portratyed as love in many denominations. God is love, God is not any of these things.

I will step off my soapbox now. Thank you for listening.