Many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons assume or have been flatly told that the Bible condemns them. They often feel that they have no place in the church, preferring not to waste time with a weapon that has been used against them.

Here are the facts:

1. Although some churches and clergy have condemned our community, an increasing numberof expert scholars are now maintaining that the Bible does not provide abasis for such judgements.

2. The few Bible verses that are used to condemn our communiy have been distorted, mistranslated or incorrectly interpreted.

3. There is no word for "homosexual" in the original Greek or hebrew Bible. The word "homosexual" has only been common use for the past 150 years.

4. The most common Greek word for romantic love is eros, which is not used at all in the New Testament.

5. Jesus never condemns or even mentions same-sex sexuality.

"If you love each other, everyone will know you are my disciples." (John 13:34-35)

Jesus did not stipulate against gay love.

The Good News for all people

For God so loved the world that God gave the only begotten Son, the whoever believes in Jesus should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Jesus." (John 3:16-17)

You are "whoever".

God loves you and wishes to be in relationship with you, through Jesus Christ. Anyone who tells you differently is misusing the Bible.

"I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but among every people, the person who respects God and does right is welcome to God" (Acts 10:34-35)

If you read the book of Acts, chapters 10 and 15, in the Bible, you will discover stories that describe God's acceptance on he basis of faith, not on the observance of religious laws. In these chapters, God accepts people that some religious leaders wanted to reject.

The truth of these words is very simple and powerful:

God loves you and desires to be in permanent relationship with you.