How should Christians react to persecution against the LGBTQ community?

Answer

The most subtle temptation associated with witnessing others being persecuted is apathy. As followers of Christ, when we observe members of the LGBTQ+ community facing persecution, we are obligated to take action. Jesus instructed, “Love your neighbor” «And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. », (Luke 10:27). Regardless of our neighbor’s stance on moral or sexual ethics, this command remains relevant. Demonstrating love to individuals in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community involves, among other things, refusing to endorse acts of persecution against them—condemning violence, injustice, or any conduct that causes harm. Extending kindness to those in the LGBTQ community entails actively assisting them in times of distress.

When addressing persecution against the LGBTQ community, we should reflect on Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). In this narrative, a Samaritan encounters a Jewish man who had been severely “persecuted” through physical assault and robbery. Instead of disregarding him like others had, the Samaritan compassionately tends to the man’s injuries and provides care, expecting nothing in return.

Jesus shares this parable with a lawyer, a devout and knowledgeable Jew who was likely a Pharisee. In the eyes of the Jews during Jesus’ time, Samaritans were considered impure, detested, and contemptible individuals. Samaritans were viewed as racially mixed and religiously heretical, leading to their avoidance at all costs «Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. », (John 4:9). By and large, Samaritans reciprocated those feelings. The Samaritan in the parable likely believed that the Jew he rescued had possibly insulted and cursed him the day before. The injured man in the ditch would not have anticipated any assistance from the Samaritan, given their social, political, and religious differences.

The significance of the parable cannot be emphasized enough. Despite having every reason to believe that the Jewish man despised him, the Samaritan demonstrated love, prompting Jesus to explicitly instruct us to “go and do likewise” «And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. », (Luke 10:37). Mere acts of kindness are not the focus; it is about showing kindness even to those with whom we hold differing views. The message of Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan is that, in times of distress, our duty as disciples of Christ is to offer love, empathy, healing, support, and assistance. When members of the LGBTQ community are suffering, our duty is to provide aid and solace. Agreement or disagreement on matters of religion, ethics, or beliefs is irrelevant when someone is in need.

Similarly, whether sin is involved is inconsequential. Jesus intervened to save an adulterous woman from a mob without condoning her wrongdoing (John 8:10-11). Showing compassion does not equate to endorsing an individual’s lifestyle. Compassion does not necessitate agreement or approval. Our reaction to persecution against the LGBTQ community should encompass prayer, condemnation of the persecutors, and charitable deeds. We are called to love and conquer evil with goodness «Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.», (Romans 12:21).

When the LGBTQ community faces persecution, violence, or other harms, Christians have a clear mandate from our Lord. Just as the Good Samaritan bound the wounds of a social and religious antagonist, we are to love our neighbors, whoever they are. For the Christian, there is only one proper response when those in the LGBTQ community are suffering persecution. We should come alongside them, show them mercy, and demonstrate the love of Christ.

“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36).