Every 45 seconds, an LGBTQ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 attempts suicide in the United States, according to the Trevor Project. These are our children—precious, beloved children. Yet more than one child every minute feels so hated, so despicable, so imperfectly made that they see no option but to end their own lives.

This isn’t just a theological debate—it’s a matter of life and death. By the time you finish reading this, several children will have attempted suicide because of the culture we’ve created. This is why this conversation matters. As Christians, it’s our responsibility to act with love and compassion, not condemnation and exclusion.

This isn’t about “the gay agenda” or a cultural war—it’s about doing God’s will. Jesus commands us to love our neighbors, and yet the church has become a barrier for many people seeking God. We are literally standing in the way of God’s love for those who need it most.

During this discussion, I’ll address four key points:

1. Christians should not judge non-Christians.
2. The biblical case against homosexuality is weak and often misinterpreted.
3. The pain caused by condemnation is real and contrary to Christ’s teachings.
4. If I were Satan, I would use homophobia to divide the church and keep people away from God.

Let’s explore these points in depth.

Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”

Paul is explicit: Christians have no moral jurisdiction over non-Christians. Civil marriage is a civil institution, not a religious one. Yet, many Christians advocate for laws that impose their beliefs on others. This directly contradicts Paul’s teachings and ignores Jesus’ command to love our neighbors.

Neighbors, in the context of Matthew 22:39, include everyone, not just fellow believers. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you wouldn’t want your right to marry the person you love restricted, why would you deny that right to someone else? Loving your neighbor means treating them with the same dignity and respect you would want for yourself.

The traditional arguments against homosexuality rely on a handful of passages: the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Levitical laws, and references in the letters of Paul. Let’s examine these more closely.

The Sin of Sodom

Genesis 19 describes the men of Sodom demanding to sexually assault two angelic visitors. Many interpret this as a condemnation of homosexuality, but Ezekiel 16:49-50 provides a different perspective: “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me.”

The sins of Sodom are explicitly listed: arrogance, greed, neglect of the poor, and inhospitality. The attempted assault in Genesis 19 is about violence and dominance, not consensual relationships. This is not a story about loving same-sex couples—it’s a story about a city’s wickedness.

Levitical Laws

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 label same-sex relations as “detestable.” However, these laws are part of a larger purity code that includes prohibitions against eating pork, wearing mixed fabrics, and planting multiple crops in the same field. Christians have long abandoned many of these laws as culturally specific and irrelevant today.

Even the word “detestable” (to’eva in...