The Tree of Life represents unique and beautiful diversity. We are each a part of this diversity. All of our differences define Life, itself. There is not another individual like you anywhere in the entire universe! And if you're gay, you must realize that being a homosexual should only be a small aspect of your life. For there is much more to your existence than being simply defined by a stereotype. Homosexuality is not a choice, it is a predetermined aspect of your being. The same is true for heterosexuals. You did not choose to be homosexual. They did not choose to be heterosexual. But you can choose to rise above persecution and pain to embrace the greater love. You can choose to get to know the individual inside yourself whom God created. Choosing Love is your privilege.

The question of whether or not being gay is a sin should be only between God and you. Judgment and condemnation of sin does not belong to any one mortal individual, nor to organized religion. Rising above worldly persecution is likewise a choice. When we realize that God does love us and that He did not make any of us "wrongly", we begin to truly rediscover ourselves. Tragically, many people I know live with a secret. That secret is not being gay, rather it is feeling they were made imperfectly and are mutants. Simply because they are gay! Imagine, living your life thinking you were nothing but a monster! Well, the world is a cruel and hate-filled place. For too long, organized religion has wrongly persecuted most minority groups. YOU must realize this is not the way of Love.

The bible is not God, nor are limited and selective interpretations by political Christians whom are seeking only to galvanize power for themselves. Many gay people live in fear of persecution and have grown spiteful towards the bible and very resentful towards God, all because of hypocrites who call themselves Christians! YOU must realize those types of people whom seek to judge and persecute others in the name of Love offer only spiritual death. These people give Christianity a bad name. They are false-Christians. For they have seated themselves in the throne of judgment. But they are also lost and spiritually weak and may well need your loving forgiveness to help see them through.

Thankfully, the real God is not a mean and vindictive beast, nor will he condemn you to eternal death simply because you were born a homosexual. Some of the authors of the old testament, and the man called the Apostle Paul, would like nothing more to condemn you to death for being gay--but not God. YOU must know it is liars and thieves whom shall not enter the gates of the Kingdom. There are many forms of deception and many ways to steal or be robbed. By closing ourselves and accepting the hatred of this world, we are closing ourselves off to other possibilities as well. This is why being open is so important. And you must not lie to others, but most importantly you must not lie to yourself.

We have been forgiven our sins through Christ's love for us. While the religious groups of this world seek to stone us, I ask them why they think they are perfect? Their bibles are very important tools, but like I have said, bibles are not God. On the contrary, God is alive and quite well. The bible is a book and it has no power whatsoever to save your immortal soul. God, on the other hand, does have this power. And He and you are the one who will make this happen. Not the Pope, not any church, nor any religion. But God and you!

Regarding the bible, before you allow yourself to be intimidated by other people's interpretation, perhaps you should read it for yourself. There are massive lies and false assumptions about the bible running rampant in this age. First of all you must understand the bible is a collection of books written by many different authors. The most accepted of these is the "King James" and the "Good News" versions of this collection of books. The first thing you will notice is the discrepancies between interpretations. The second thing you will notice is that only four (4) books actually represent the true Gospels of Christ.

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are a very wonderful starting point in the bible. The old testament is merely history, although quite informative. And the rest of the new testament was mostly written by a man who called himself the Apostle Paul. There are a few very important things to understand about Paul. First, he never actually met Christ. Second, Paul claims to be our teacher. And third, you will find discrepancies between what Paul claims and what Jesus Christ taught. Christ said of himself that he was our only teacher. So if you choose to accept the whole of the bible without question, then this is your choice. Beware, however, for Paul was a very vindictive and prejudice man who is to blame for most of our religious power struggles found today. In fact, it is my belief that Paul was quite evil and the son of perdition--but this you must decide for yourself. Poison is often mingled with the sugar of pure spiritual truth. In this same way, the angel of evil disguises itself as God. Evil strives to be recognized as light. Think about this carefully!

At Outta Space, I ask a very important mental exercise of you: to separate in your mind Christ from ANY other mortal individual. The dichtomy between Christ and the man called the Apostle Paul must be drawn clearly in your minds. This has been a stumbling block for Christianity since Christ left and Paul came mysteriously on the scene. The reason I ask this of you is regardless of ANYTHING that Paul said in his many letters, Christ is and was and will be our ONLY teacher. All else is heresy. This mental exercise requires courage. Remember it was Christ who said "the way" to the Father was through him--this means "the way" is not found through the man called the Apostle Paul. Iáam not saying there if nothing of merit in what Paul preached, but I am saying his words were not Gospel.

A long time ago someone said, "the devil is in the details". I cannot think of a more appropriate statement to describe how the bible has been misused over the years. When we squabble over the translations of biblical text to prove something, we are wasting precious time we could be using to simply love one another, to encourage one another and to support each other's daily and real relationships with God in the here and now.

Taking in stride any rejection from the religious world because you are gay, are you going to hatefully blame others for their lack of true Christian fellowship? Or will you strive to rise above this barbarity and seek to set a righteous example in Love? After being the object of rejection and condemnation will you, yourself, then condemn, judge and scorn others in retaliation? If so, would you not be like those who were judging and condemning you in the first place? So, should we segregate ourselves and stand isolated, empty and alone simply because of sexual orientation? I think you know the answer, but often we keep ourselves from doing the right things because of fear.

It is fear which causes us pain and kills off the beautiful gift of immortal life within us. It is fear which causes us to judge ourselves and others. It is fear which causes us to blindly accept what modern-day translations of bibles say without question. It is fear which causes us to hold the man called the Apostle Paul as singularly righteous and divinely holy. It is fear which keeps us from accepting the patient, tender and forgiving love of God. It is fear which does not allow us to be bold and courageous in accepting ourselves and others. This world means to condemn us and hold us down. Take this literally and for one moment do not think that "religion" is not of this world. It is fear which does not allow us to look deeper for God. For within us we find the Kingdom of Heaven. Should we not come to terms with who and what we are, should we not come to terms with that which is within us...then how could we ever hope to find that Kingdom within? It is fear which belittles our fragile faith in daring to seek the real truth of Love--and in daring to face ourselves. It is fear which keeps us from encouraging and supporting each other regardless of what this world thinks and does. It is fear which is the mind killer. It is fear which is the soul killer.

This newsletter was orignially published in San Francisco and was called The Sinner's Sentinel. Within the major cities of this world, grouping of homosexuals band together in an attempt to find acceptance. Personally, I have found many young gay people to live with a dark cloud of fear, hate and judgment towards the world. I can only ask, why? During my travels to tell people (all people) about the awesome love of God, I found that many homosexuals have shunned God, simply because the world has shunned them. But it was Christ himself who said the world will hate you. If you are gay, I can only ask that you try to accept who and what you are--realizing that God does not make mistakes and that perhaps you are gay for a reason. Do not be ashamed to proclaim your love for others! Inner hatred will hold you down. Inner fear will destroy your soul. Discard them! I can only ask that you try to ignore the world's hate, and in return offer them love and patience.

This site is here for one reason. It is to tell you that God loves you. If you're gay and you feel that you are damned, please think about this a bit more. Is your sexuality the defining point of your existence? Are you not capable of many wonderful things? Love is full of patience, forgiveness and gentle encouragement. He loves you dearly and wants nothing more than for you to grow. He wants nothing more than for you to bring forth all of those positive qualities within you. Shining the light of Love from within our souls is a challenge for all of us, regardless of sexual orientation. So shine on and ourward! Try to rise above always. And please do not return hate for hate, and judgment for judgment.

God is Love!

Troy G. Johnson II

(Passion Craft Advocate)