An open letter to Elton John -

Dear Elton -

I must admit at the outset that I'm not the biggest fan of your music. I'm more of a Billy Joel-type; though I'll admit to liking some of your late 70's-early 80's stuff. Anyway, I felt the need to write to you after reading your comments in my local newspaper this morning. I'm supposed to be working on a re-write of my book, but this topic seems to be front and center for me this morning.
According to the article, you said, "I think religion has always tried to turn hatred toward gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays." You went on to say, "From my point of view, I would ban religion completely. Organized religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings, and it's not really compassionate."
As a "lemming" - a proud born-again Christian, I must say you are painting all religious people with the same broad brush that many of us paint the gay community with. You make a valid point - the "God hates fags" people ought to be ashamed of themselves. Many give gays and lesbians blind hatred and dismiss them altogether, as religious folks have done through the centuries to those they do not understand. There is intolerance, especially in the Christian church. By that, I do not mean acceptance of a lifestyle (for, no matter how we slice this, homosexuality to those who believe what the church has taught from the beginning is sinful, immoral behavior. This is not a forum to argue that topic, which could go on for days), but acceptance of a person. We should never turn anyone away from the doors of our churches, no matter what. Some feel it's just more comfortable to only deal with "our kind". It takes all the risk away.
But I see your statements as having the same basis in reality as some religious peoples' comments. Especially your idea that religion isn't compassionate. Oh, no? Who started hospitals? Christians. Who created the first schools? Christians. What group of people has workers in nearly every country on earth to help the poor, orphaned and widows? Christians? Who give BILLIONS of dollars every year to see this work goes forth? Christians. Mother Theresa? Not commpassionate? Ish!
Forget the "big names". I'd love to have you come visit my church the next time you're in the Albany, NY area on tour. I know my pastor, Lorenzo Agnes, would love to show you around our community outreach, the Haven. When we built our new sanctuary, we converted the old one into a gym/learning center. Kids come from all around to play basketball, get tutoring and find a safe place to be, off the streets. Why? Because we're in the area and it's our mandate as Christians to do it.
Hopefully, Sandy Lawyer will be home from South Africa, and you could meet her. In her retirement, she decided to go to Africa to help the widows and those dealing with HIV/AIDS. She goes door-to-door, loving each person and meeting their needs. Compassion? Meet George Snyman, the man who runs Hands @ Work in South Africa. His level of service for people is of a kind I have never seen.
My pastor left yesterday for Bulgaria, to minister at a leader's conference. We're connected to a large group of Christians, most of whom have either come out of orphanges or work with them. Our church has committed to seeing these kids grow in all ways, turning them into people who will change the culture of a nation.
Our church has a large group of people in Nuevo Laredo, Texas even as we speak, meeting several needs for a small orphange and church there.
I could even tell you of the girl several years ago in our church who wanted to work with the children in the nursery. She was HIV positive. Our church allowed her to serve, with the obvious precautions. Because she's not a leper. She deserves a place in the church. You know why her story is important? Because it's true. And because I don't even know the girl's name. My pastor mentioned it one Sunday in passing, as if to say, "Of course we let her serve. Are you crazy?"
I could go on and on about work going on in our church. And there are countless thousands of churches all across the United States and the world who work this way. Why? Because we take our beliefs seriously. And if we really live what we say we believe, it's going to radically effect the way we live our lives and what we do. We're not about putting our faces on TV or being commended for all we've done. We believe the treasure waits in Heaven. It's really not about the reward anyway. Compassionate service springs from the notion that we have been blessed beyond our ability to grasp it. We must give as we have received. I'm not just speaking of Christians, though I can only speak intelligently of my religious culture. Other faiths do great compassionate work, I'm sure, for which they simply want to help. They are to be commended for that.
I have found that it is nearly impossible to make blanket statements about groups of people. Because they are rarely, if ever, true. I find your statements about religious folks like that. You cannot justify your comments for all who hold to a faith-based belief system. Your ignorance is just as shameful as the ignorance on my side.
My invitation is open to visit to meet with me and folks from my church. I'd love to show you how compassion works and how 'narrow-minded' folks actually live. I think we'd both be surprised.

Thank you for reading this letter. I hope it finds you well.

Cordially,


Darren