A Christian take.

So, im a Christian, currently working as a Bible Study leader at a Summer Camp outside of Charlotte. This summer's theme is called "Life Together" and throughout the week it is my job to exemplify and relate how it is that we may all live together in community.

Now, last week, i had a girl in my bible study who had made it clear that she was very opinionated. The question which i posed to the Bible Study was "why is it so hard for us to accept people, particularly when they are of a different race, sexuality, economic standing, etc. than we are?" The girl responded thus: "well, i mean, theyre gay people, just ewww"

it was obvious that the majority of the study, however they felt about the issue, thought that this statement was a bit much. I stopped the Bible Study and responded to the girl.

Me: You do realize that Jesus does not say a single word about homosexuality in any of his teachings or sermons? Girl:yes he does Me: No, you can look it up, Jesus never makes any mention of homosexuals, instead all he says is that we should love everyone as we love ourselves. Girl: Paul says homosexuality is a sin though Me: sure, but we're Christians, right? not Paulans. we are followers of CHRIST not of Paul.

I feel like everyone can learn from this, there's ignorance on both sides. Both Atheists and Christians need to look no farther than the very name of our faith to know that any arguing and fighting and putting down of each other is wrong. I am a follower of CHRIST who says that we should love all, that we should not be showy in our faith, that "that which you do unto the least of these, you do unto me."

At the end of that week, during the last worship service, there is a response time during which campers can come forward and talk to their bible study leaders about any questions they may have or relate what their take on the weeks lessons. That girl came forward to me in tears and said that she had learned to love and accept people for who they are. If that girl, who had just finished 8th grade can do that, why cant so many of us?

Ill leave with a quote by the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who said, "i have talents which you do not, and therefore, i am unique. you have talents which i do not, consequently making you unique. we are made so that we need each other." Life Together.