Steven LaChance Blog

I’ve been reflecting a lot on spirituality and its connection to religion, especially as a gay man. For many queer individuals, religion can be a challenging topic, often leaving a bitter taste in our mouths. Throughout our lives, we have faced many moments of hostility from those who insist they hold the key to divine authority, interpreting the word of God in a way that painfully labels us as the damned. I find myself perplexed by this notion. If I am certain I was born gay, why would God create me as something condemned and then ultimately refuse me? The idea that God would grant others the authority to judge, when they so clearly lack compassion, is simply incomprehensible to me.

I vividly recall sitting in church, grappling with these feelings while a Lutheran minister stood in front of the congregation, delivering sermons that dripped with disdain. His words spread messages of hate and cast shadows over my right to exist freely, lovingly, and openly both on Earth and in Heaven. Those of us who identified as gay struggled immensely in the face of such hostility. I mean, how do you reconcile the teachings of love and acceptance with a doctrine that names you unworthy? It creates insurmountable challenges for a young gay boy—then later, a young gay teenager finding his way in a world that often feels hostile.

It often leaves me wondering about the persecution faced by the gay community. What if we are genuinely God’s chosen people? After all, I can’t shake the belief that God isn’t concerned about whom we love, as long as we love genuinely. It’s a twisted logic to think that God would create beings in His image, only to hold animosity towards them for being exactly who they were meant to be. That would be some profound cosmic absurdity, and frankly, I just don’t envision God acting that way.

Divine love ought to transcend the barriers we’ve built amongst ourselves. Just look at the historical precedents: for centuries, people have twisted religion to justify their prejudices and actions. I’ve delved into extensive research on Christian Nationalism, Evangelicalism, and the deeply flawed perception of Jesus in the United States. The findings astonish me. Once you peel back the layers of the Evangelical Christian movement, it becomes glaringly apparent that we’re facing a manipulated and false version of Christianity that bears little resemblance to actual teachings. This isn’t the good news Jesus preached; it’s a warped doctrine designed to excuse horrific acts—slavery, hate, murder, and so much more—all cloaked in the guise of righteousness.

Take the rise of white supremacists, for example. You’d think the dangers of intertwining faith with nationalism would be enough for any rational individual to pause and reconsider. Yet, here we are, watching in horror as these individuals wrap themselves in Christian Nationalism, trading in their hoods and white sheets for suits and ties, all while presenting their hostility masked as divine purpose.

If we consider the real Jesus, the historical figure whose teachings were rooted in love, compassion, and radical inclusivity, it becomes painfully clear that he would be reviled by the very people who claim to follow him today. Can you imagine the fallout? He would likely be seen as an immigrant undeserving of a place in this “Christian nation.” His message would be drowned out by cries of “outsider” and “unworthy,” and he would surely face scorn for the color of his skin, his socioeconomic status, and the friendships he formed with marginalized communities. The very Christian right that claims to champion his name would be the first to cast him aside, unable to reconcile their rigid rules with the radical love he embodied.

Last night, my husband and I watched the brilliant documentary, “1946.” This powerful film dives deep into a shocking revelation: the word ‘homosexual’ didn’t even appear in the Bible until 1946. The documentary examines the extensive research and processes that illustrate how the Bible was altered to villainize a whole group of people. Can you imagine the implications? To know that the condemnation from the pulpit is partnered with a nefarious twist of words—words that twisted the essence of a loving God into a mandate of exclusion and hate.

It’s high time we reclaimed our narratives, our spirituality, and our connection to God. Why should we allow others to define our divinity? If anything, this entire experience has taught me the importance of love—real love, the kind that doesn’t fit neatly into definitions or boxes. Love that embraces the complexity of human existence. After all, if love is of God, then how can love ever lead us astray?

So, my queer family and allies in arms, I stand firm in my belief: we are not the damned; we are God’s beautiful creation, deserving of every ounce of love and acceptance this universe has to offer. In a world where religious rhetoric has been so poisoned, I choose to follow a path guided by love, questioning the narratives handed down to us, and pursuing a deeper understanding of spirituality unencumbered by shame. Let us hold our heads high and uplift our voices—because our existence is not just valid; it’s a testament to the beauty of divine intention. And in the spirit of the real Jesus, let’s unite in love and challenge the hatred, proving that the divine cannot be contained by the limitations and fears of the so-called righteous.