Out for Jesus - LGBT community to have church service during Pride Week

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) will host the second staging of Out for Jesus, a free praise and worship service, this Sunday at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.

While members of the LGBT community are defending their right to worship, Reverend Merrick 'Al' Miller says a true relationship with God requires commitment to His word, which includes the abandonment of a homosexual lifestyle.

"It is good that they acknowledge God and their desire to worship, but you cannot disobey the principles of the word of God in hope to gain God's blessings and favour because His principles stand," Miller told THE WEEKEND STAR. "Jesus died for us all and anyone who would come to Him in faith, according to the word, will be embraced through His grace and forgiveness. The acknowledgement of God is a positive thing but that must require moving to the next stage of putting faith in God which is only expressed by obedience to His word."

The event forms part of Pride JA, a week of celebratory activities orchestrated by J-FLAG.

Miller expressed concern about the connotations surrounding Pride, stating: "We're taking pride in a behaviour that seems unnatural to the course of how we were created and that is not something one ought to be taking pride in. We should take pride in being created in the likeness and image of God and we should want to become like Him and that is only evident when we obey the teachings of Jesus Christ."

But Suelle Anglin, associate director of marketing, communications and engagement of J-FLAG, defended the festivity, saying that for many LGBT people, this is the only time of the year they can be themselves in the public sphere.

SAFE SPACE

She said Out for Jesus was birthed due to the demand for a safe space where members could worship without fear of being judged or castigated.

"Some people tend to look on LGBT people and see one aspect of them, which is their sexuality, and as human beings, whoever you choose to sleep with is just a small part of who you are," Anglin said. "LGBT people are no different from anybody else. They have different aspects of them including their spirituality, so it is only fair to give them the space to practise their beliefs and be in the presence of God regardless of how you see them or what you think."

While some religious folks may take to the scriptures to reel off verses about sexual immorality, Anglin mentioned the second greatest commandment, to love thy neighbour as thyself.

"A lot of people, especially those from the church community, pick and choose what they want to be vocal on and when other things arise, they are very silent on it," she said.

"People worship differently; there are people who worship on a Saturday who believe how they serve God is the right way and will condemn those who worship on a Sunday. The Sunday worshipper will refute that, and another person will tell you something else. Instead of judging people, allow them the space to worship God the way they want to."