Jamey Rodemeyer is a 14-year-old gay kid from Buffalo, NY, who earlier this week, after years of being bullied, committed suicide.
If you’re a Christian who believes that being gay is a morally reprehensible offense against God, then you share a mindset, worldview, and moral structure with the kids who hounded Jamey Rodemeyer — literally, to death.
It is your ethos, your convictions, and your theology that informed, supported, and encouraged their cruelty.
We Christians who believe that God created gay people as much in His own image as he did straight people are begging you to reconsider your theology — to do nothing more than be open to an alternative, fully credible, scholastically sound interpretation of one or two lines from Paul.
How can you be unwilling to do something so simple, when you see the horrible ultimate cost of that refusal?
Christ died so that you could love more. And now you’re part of a system that allows that same Christ to be used as a moral justification for the most vile kind of abuse. How could that have happened? How could something so right have gone so wrong?
Turn, friend. And when you do, open your arms. Discover waiting to embrace you a new Christ behind the relative shell of the one you inherited. Jesus Christ died for your sins. That was unthinkably beautiful. Now Jamey Rodemeyer has died from your sins. That is not. That is the very hell that, awfully enough, you’ve somehow tricked yourself into believing your life refutes.
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Filed under: Views & Voices
I am truly sorry, my prayers go out to his family. I truly wish that there weren’t so many ignorant people in this world we all share. I pray one day that we as humans will be able to ACCEPT each other for who we are as a person, and not JUDGE! God please protect him in his afterlife that he was not given while on this earth!
That poor boy =[. I wish someone would have listened to him. Every voice deserved to be heard, especially when in danger! If any christian dare say “he deserved it for being gay”, I hope you all get what you deserve coming! He was just a boy, and no one is perfect
What goes around comes around. That’s a FACT for sure
“Who would Jesus bully?”
We’d all be better off without religion. A lack of religion wouldn’t mean a decline in morals. Moral is doing what is right no matter what you’re told, religion is doing what you’re told regardless of what is right.
It’s not fair that glbt have to hide in order to survive this world.
jesus bullies the entire world.
Someone who would burn people alive for all eternity is not love.
Praying has never helped anyone, you have to get of your ass and march the streets.
Beautifully written. I’m not religious, but I could not agree more. I hope he doesn’t die in vein, and this wakes people up and makes people think about the repercussions of what they say/preach. RIP lil dude :(
We are all Jameys
How many more of our kids have to die needlessly before republicans stop their own bullying telling us we’re not normal??
Acceptance is the answer, bullying is not!!
bullying is about power & control just like any other kind of abuse & oppression; when are we going to learn AND teach our children it’s not ok to oppress or abuse anyone?!!! my heart goes to the family & friends of this boy. if you are being targeted & abused please reach out! please keep asking for hlep until someone listens!
Hey you f.. biggots, 14 years old, killed himself, how proud are you of your “God’s work?”
Yesterday a local Christian radio show discussed the suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer. What was ironic was how the host and guest agonized over “Where were the Christian youth”? “Why didn’t they do something to protect Jamey?”
I suggest the possibility that the “Christian youth” WERE the bullies.
Not once did the show discuss the “Christian” view of homosexuality. Shame, perhaps?
It’s difficult to control ones’ rage at the injustice and evil that people do in the name of their religion.
The God I know loves this CHILD just the way he is
http://www.outinac.com
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO LET THE LORD JUDGE US WHEN OIR TIME COMES? I was raised religious and no longer am. I don’t hold it against the people that are brain washed by religions that preach this hatred, I hold it against the said religion and leaders of that religion.
Poor kid T-T
you also share the moral views of Adalf Hitler.
wow
It’s high time the Christians in the pews started speaking out against the leaders (like Tony Perkins) who perpetuate the lies of hatred and fear- Christian leadership is not speaking out for these kids.
How much longer will it take?
How many more children will lose hope and take their own lives?
I also share everybodies feelings about being upset, angry, wanting to reach out to the people who did this and strangle some sense into them. But, this is the real world, and like Emanuel says we have to march the streets, and march into our political forums, and make people understand that we have the absolutely same human rights as everyone else. Its time to really take a stand, this is our year!!!
i cant believe that
my best friend did the samething :( makes me sad thats why i want to be apart of this nation and help prevent thses types of actions we cant have no more of this happening
That is so sad:c I hate anti-gay bullies.
Thank you, John.
This follows on the heels of the L.A. school administration passing anti-gay bullying legislation. It is a stark reminder that we have such a long, long way to go to properly educate our youth, teachers, school administrators and parents throughout this country. I think the churches should put themselves in the forefront of this effort.
So very heartbreaking. I just wish this beautiful young man could have realized his worth and heard from some people who understood what he was going through so he would have had some hope. For those who are in is position I would just say: Your life’s circumstances can change so fast… you never know what tomorrow will bring. I have experienced really dark times in my life, but I have also had some very precious, fantastic times. But I would not have gotten to the fantastic times if I had not made it through the dark times. There is always hope. You never know what is waiting for you around the corner. God loves you. Just as you are. No one can replace your uniqueness. Believe in the love that is really there. If you are being abused, bullied, or hurt… DON’T give up, get help and KEEP SPEAKING UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS! Don’t let them win. xxoo
Hi, guys. I haven’t time to answer each of your responses–but I’ve read them all, at least twice. I thank you for them–and for your great passion for seeing nightmares like Jamey’s story finally end. It’s just so fucking insane. Anyway, thank you. And thanks for allowing a space here for straight Christians such as myself to … I dunno. Show that we’re not all complete dipshits, for one.
what does last letter Q mean? LGBTQ
That poor boy who had a right to live, to stand up for what he believes is in right. If you are gay, it doesn’t make you an awful person. Just makes you different. We are all different. Each and everyone of us human beings. Just because they are different in a way your not, that doesn’t give anyone right to judge them. Christians just because you live your lives believing and worshiping the bible doesn’t necessarily make you one. Going to church every Sunday doesn’t make you one overnight either. I thought being a christian was suppose to be not only having a faith in God, but also believing in love no matter if its right or wrong in your eyes. Everyone deserves to be happy, walk in heaven one day with him with all of the rest of us. As as far as I’m concerned some Christians have taken their beliefs to a whole different level. A level where if you believe that everyone is going to go to hell if they are not like you. Well, I’ve met a few individuals like your kind who do the same exact thing as by far I think its you that will meet that on your judgement day. Everyone is a child is God’s eyes. He made us all different for a reason inside and out!!! This boy deserved to live. Who do you think you guys are God himself, where I thought there was a piece of him in all of us. And if not one believes in him like you, but in a different way, so what. We are all people. We all end up bleeding the same color blood in the end.You aren’t God. More like the devil of his kind. I feel so bad for this boy, the pain he had went through just to be accepted in life whether if he was or not, who fought to make a difference just as well. To this boy’s family, I’m very sorry for your loss. To all the LGBT folks out there, keep being great people like you have always been. I see no wrong. We are all Equal, no better or less.
Queer.
John Shore – perfect article.
Couldn’t agree more.
i’ve heard Q as questioning, too. like people that want to explore about gender identities or orientations.
If just one person would have stood up for him. ONE person could have made a difference. If just ONE person would have shown him love. If every one of us would stand up for just one person and love them… there might be alot less suicides… I hate bullying with a passion…
This is…….its monstrous. These people that bash gays, on the premise that they’re doing it for…….*points up* that thing, these people are deserving of my Master’s punishment.
May the Inferno welcome him with its glow of acceptance,
BJ.
I think there are a lot of religious people out there who call themselves Christians, but don’t know the first part about being a Christian. They are too busy spreading hate and doctrine to actually be a true Christian. As a gay man and a Christian, I have seen this first hand. It’s not always an easy place to be as often other so called Christians have turned their back on me and so have other gays because I’m a Christian. Being a Christian is about loving the way Jesus Christ did. It’s not about judging, it’s about accepting people, loving them unconditionally. As a victim of bullying throughout school and being fag bashed in college, my heart goes out to anyone who experiences this. I pray for each and every family who is affected by bullying and suicide. To think that this crap is still going on in 2011 is sad. Other true Christians like myself, need to stand up to the religious hate mongers.
Go to your school district’s web page. Find the student handbook or code of conduct. Only school boards can expel students, fire teachers & administrators. Make sure that your school board elected officials know that you expect them to enforce the law and protect the rights of all children to have a fear-free education. Let them know that if they refuse to enforce the law, you will make sure they are not re-elected.
When will the LGBTQ community raise against the evils of the church?, how many other children have to die for us to realize something must be done?, everyone likes to give their opinion on these things but no one cares enough to do anything about it. Today is this Jamie kid but tomorrow will be one of your children if nothing is done.
What a shame!! Regardless the country or the situation, is a life less!! And it is because of the intolerance and unsupportive society we’re living in!! It’s disgusting and I feel ashamed for our society. Despite supid opinions such as “it’s part of maturing” etc. It’s embarrassin that they don’t keep mourning on a young/children’s death IT’S JUST NOT HUMAN to ignore the pain his family is going though!! And they’re the ones praising humanity? Tolerance? saying that God loves you no matter what!?!?! And we’re all made to his image!? MOTHERFUCKERS He’s dead!!! We can’t keep asking for respect nor require it ’cause it hasn’t worked and it won’t. We must MAKE our community respected because we’re not the ones hating on what’s different!! I’m so pissed off because it’s not just one death, it’s been thousands or hundreds and that’s not big deal!! But If anybody goes on a sensless war then all those dying are heroes!?!? In what kind of world we’re living? When we don’t care when a hundreds of young children are comitting suicide for “no reason”?! Rest in peace Jamey and MY God bless you.
http://youtu.be/5jTB7HA1xEs
It is sad that no one at the school stopped it to begin with. Should always treat bullies like people fighting and suspend them for doing harm. Not only is these people bigots but the people who just stood by and let it happen with blinders on are just as bad. I keep wondering why the parent never did something also. I am sorry for their loss but it should never have gotten that far. People need to be more proactive and make sure that harm isn’t being done. This is why I pulled my son out of school. Not only were the student bullies but so were several of the adults. I now have a well adjusted 14 year old that doesn’t have to worry what others think of him. He goes to a virtual school and converses with the students online and on field trips.
Oh and I almost forgot the majority of deaths around the world happen because of religious fanaticism, and bigotry. Because people can’t accept others as they are. Do no harm unless harm be done, and do unto others and you would do unto yourself should be a rules for everyone.
This is a truly TRAGIC story! These things should NEVER happen!! I pray for this kids family and pray that justice is served. For all those out there bashing Christians, listen to yourself, do you think you sound any better than them? I myself am a Christian and I too believe that homosexuality is wrong (BUT so is LYING, CHEATING, STEALING, MURDER, IDOLATRY, etc.) Do I judge others who choose this path for their lives, NO! And I ask that they don’t judge me for my beliefs and my choices. In our God’s eyes, a sin is a sin! A specific sin is not regarded as any “BIGGER” sin than any other. “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” Romans 3:23 Am I any better than any LGBTQ?, NO I am not! Please DON’T put this on me saying that it is because of my opinion that others have done these horrible things! Everyone is responsible for their own choices!!! I have several friends that are LGBTQ and I LOVE them dearly. I may not agree with their choice but neither may they agree with my choice in declining vaccinations or homeschooling my kids! Wake up America! When is everyone going to learn that the greatest thing is LOVE! “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
You can’t blame NORMAL Christians for the actions these bullies took. As bullies do what they think boosts their ego, though it’s wrong. It’s good to be open minded, but at the same time, God “designed” man is designed to be with a woman. I wasn’t going to post anything, but for you to say that Christians are to blame for the bullies behavior is beyond ignorant. It’s true that if Jamey Rodemeyer knew Christ, this probably would have never happened in the first place…
One of the things I HATE the most are the actions of ‘buffet Christians.’ They pick the parts of the Bible that fits their opinions and won’t like at anything else in it if it condradicts them. So yes, the act of homosexuality is a sin against God. (That is where most “Christians” stop their opinions, if they continued they would see this:) Any other sex act outside of the marriage between a man and woman is also a sin against God. The bible also says that we need to love everyone and to treat others the way we want to be treated. I was bullied for about 7 years and I believed for a long time that I was bi. I know what it is like to be under the target and it really hurts to the point where death feels like the only option. It’s not. The option to be loved by God and a few close friends are what I needed to continue living. I try to do what I can to stop bullying, especially gay bullying. All bullying is wrong and Christians need to be at the forefront of this battle being the examples to be tolerant of EVERYONE and their beliefs. (I am a conservative Christian btw).
I blaim religion!
AGAIN!!