Love is love, not a sin
January 27, 2023
On Monday Nov. 14, the Bucknell Campus Christian Ministry (CCM) released their bulletin in which a homophobic response was given to an anonymous student’s question: “I think I have feelings for another man. If I never act on them, will I go to hell?”
Instead of offering a message of comfort and acceptance, the CCM did the complete opposite. The ministry relented that it is the “actions behind the feelings that often lead us to sin.” In other words, they equate same sex attraction to a tendency to sin. They went further by saying that such feelings can be repented through the sacrament of confession because the Mercy of God can wipe away any sin, “even grave sins such as homosexual acts.”
Such a message of hate creates a state of non-inclusivity at our university. Despite Bucknell’s DE&I statement promising “to foster an environment in which our students engage with, understand and appreciate perspectives, people and cultures that may be very different from their own,” the administration’s lack of accountability invalidates such a claim.
There is no “commitment to diversity and inclusiveness at all levels of the institution” when a religious organization is projecting that being a part of the LGBT+ community is a “misplaced sexual desire” that we must rise above to live a “pure life.”
One may argue that such a message by the CCM is their entitled religious belief, but such belief is not an excuse to discriminate against the LGBT+ community and to create an environment at Bucknell University where students do not feel comfortable to express their sexual identity freely.
So I would like to do a better job at answering the anonymous question on the bulletin. First of all, I am sorry. I am so sorry that you were met with a response of discrimination rather than the love and acceptance you deserve. Homosexuality is not a sin. It is love.
As a woman of faith and a part of the LGBT+ community, the following verse resonates with me: “The lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’” Jeremiah 31:3. I know that God loves me for the human I am and who I love.
Your sexuality is a beautiful thing and not something that needs to be repented immediately.
The CCM describes homosexuality as a battle of sin and temptation, but the real battle at hand here is lack of acceptance of sexual identity and thus, discrimination towards LGBT+ individuals. Research completed by The Trevor Project, an LGBT+ advocacy group, found that 73 percent of LGBTQ youth report that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lives “and those who did attempted suicide at more than twice the rate of those who did not in the past year.” Homophobia is a blatant threat to mental wellbeing amongst LGBT+ individuals.
There is nothing wrong with you or who you love. What is wrong is the lack of acceptance the LGBT+ community is met with, time after time. Love is not a sin because love is love.
Lucas Southerton • Feb 11, 2023 at 9:14 pm
Hello it’s Lucas Southerton again. If it’s not raining, I’m going to plan to be on the corner of Moore and 7th on Friday February 17th from around 5-7pm in case anybody wants to talk more about the Catholic view on love and sexuality. I’ll have some signs and my banjo so you’ll know it’s me! I don’t expect many to see this post so if anybody wants to spread the word that would be cool.
Lucas Southerton • Jan 29, 2023 at 9:01 pm
A handful of times in my life, I’ve accepted the extremely uncomfortable task of confronting a loved one about an unhealthy relationship, or an unhealthy relationship decision. I usually lose sleep leading up to the conversation, and often loose sleep afterward trying to figure out how I could have presented the message in a way that could have been better received—because unfortunately, the message is often received with defensiveness—sometimes even hostility. I guess I hope they can see the love behind my words, even if they end up disagreeing with me.
Along the same lines, I see love behind the words of the Catholic Campus Ministry. Even if you disagree with the message, I encourage readers to engage with it and seek to understand it.
I admire the courage of many in the LGBT+ community who’ve held fast to their beliefs in the face of hostile opposition. I admire the courage of the staff at CCM for doing the same. Disagreeing with others about important issues is not hate, nor is sharing what you believe. In fact, authentic love often demands it. Love is love but let’s face it: to love well is hard, and often confusing. It’s certainly very emotional!
If you or anybody would like to meet with me and discuss further what it means to love well and how Catholics see this issue or other issues, I’d be happy to meet or discuss further. I’m not directly associated with the university but feel called by God to minister to students and often park my truck on campus and play my banjo and pass out prayer cards.
Your Bible quote is beautiful and worth repeating. Thus says the Lord, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Amen! Now let’s dig deeper.
~Lucas Southerton