A Ruling for Justice
29 Oct 08 12:00 AM CDT
by the Rev. Stacey Latimer
This whole idea that the courts have crossed the line on their new ruling surrounding same sex marriage is preposterous. In actuality, many of us believe this is a move of God, as Spirit’s liberating power brings to past prayers and supplications for the manifestation of God’s rule of Justice. This discussion is not about changing the definition of the word marriage, nor is it about the majority or a minority pushing off its values on each other. It is about God’s prevailing love that is greater than any school of thought; no matter how biblically sound one tries to make their argument. The Pharisees and Sadducees also made a pretty good argument around their interpretation of things concerning the “biblical right”, but Christ had a different interpretation that they, themselves, insisted were wrong. This ruling is also about holding our constitution accountable to its very words that have been written for all people, stating that we are all created equal and deserve the right to share in that deemed available to all.
The sad reality of the matter is no one has all the answers to the issues surrounding sexuality in all of its manifestations. Yet our own discomfort about sexuality causes us to shut out any ideas of change. The fear that causes us to draw back, stop searching and questioning, stop wanting to know and understand has become a part of the logic. The mindsets that always think we already have the answer continue to plague our decisions about laws, policy, life, and living. This hinders our ability to transform in ways that could bring unity and healing to our land. Religion, not relationship with God, is built around culture and customs and therefore sometimes holds us to standards that no longer serve the good of all. We have seen this hold true with biblical interpretations used to hold Blacks in slavery and deem the race sub-human. We have seen this with religious beliefs surrounding women and their ability to be responsible for their own lives, ability, and future. As absurd as this sound in a nation of the free that grants equal opportunity to all without bias, both areas are still a major struggle for many all across this nation. So the fight for the reality of true justice continues for a large population of people that are black, white, male, female, trans gender, rich, poor, people of faith and non-believers alike. Many of which have found they lack the capacity to speak for themselves due to cultural barriers, survival, classism, racism, homo-hatred, and religious bigotry that are certainly not Christ like, as well as have become monumental barriers that impede persons’ physical and mental progress, as it pertains to living in the nation of the free.
Even though basically only one interpretation has been used to serve all, as people of faith we thank God for scripture and the inspiration and guidance that it brings to our lives that meet each of us exactly where we are—with the ability to take into account who we are, as while it provides some direction. At the same time, we also thank God for providing and allowing many interpretations to scripture that speaks independently to us in and on our life’s journey. Scripture continues to provide assurance that God is with each of us and as a collective, and nothing can separate us from God’s love. Since the beginning of time, entities of varying proportions, especially religious, have continued trying to dictate the lives of people. This has not and will not work. For it is neither by our own power nor might, but God’s Spirit that changes the hearts and minds of people for the good of all. Thank God that we are alive to witness such change being made manifest, in spite of and because of the beliefs of all. As Joyce Myers says, “If God exists, then God is just. Therefore we believe that those things that are not right, God in His own time will make things right.”
In closing: I think sometimes we forget that God’s ways are higher than our ways, and thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Our limited mind, along with the finite thinking that it provides, cannot really conceived what an infinite God is doing that shall eventually benefit us all, as He promised. What we must realize is that what God is doing cannot be stopped! Let the fight for justice continue! For it is truly the work of God at a time such as this.
Reverend Stacey Latimer is the Founder/CEO of Love Alive International Inc., a faith-based nonprofit organization committed to empowering those oppressed by structures, systems, cultures, and traditions that impede their physical and mental progress, as it pertains to HIV/AIDS and other disproportionate heath disparities that plaque the black community. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Council of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Movement of NYC. He possesses over 15 years working and volunteering in the field of HIV/AIDS in varying capacities. His tenure encompasses national capacity building work with the African American Capacity Building Initiative, a program of the Harm Reduction Coalition of NYC; National Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Intervention Trainer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Atlanta, Ga; National Trainer for Affirming A Future of Hope, a program of the Interdenominational Theological Center of Atlanta, GA.; Director of the Balm In Gilead’s Resource Center & Coordinator of the Black Church HIV/AIDS Network; Director of Outreach for Project Care in Greenville, SC; 20 year participant with the Jackson Foundation, HIV/AIDS research through military medicine.
Reverend Stacey Latimer’s roots of service in faith began in South Carolina in a Baptist Church at the age of eight. He is a licensed ordained Evangelical Minister of ten years and Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Movement four years. His work in and to faith, internationally, has crossed many denominational lines. As a 22 plus year survivor of an HIV diagnosis, he continues to herald a word of hope to all those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and other disproportionate health disparities.
