The Rev. Jerry Miller contemplated suicide when he was 15, to end the guilt he felt for being gay. He credits the youth minister at his church for saving his life and vows to pay it forward. Miller's personal struggle and the countless others he has encountered in his more than 35 years as a pastor inspired "Darkest Before Dawn: A Gay Cabaret," which runs through Sunday at a most unlikely venue: a Methodist church. "I think the church needs to address social justice issues and put themselves out there, and I think the arts are a wonderful way to do that," said Miller, 65, who since he has retired only now feels comfortable coming out publicly as a gay man, something he couldn't do in the pulpit because of Methodist law.
In the midst of our lives today, we are unable to pick up a newspaper, watch a news broadcast or listen to the radio without hearing of an act of violence having been committed. We keep being told that stories about bullying, murder, rape, oppression, and assaults “sell” more and create higher ratings than “feel good” or truth stories. (I often wonder how they arrive at that prediction. Where did they buy THEIR Magic Ball?)
I am ashamed to say that instead of building peace by attacking injustices like hunger, not having clean water, medical care, and illiteracy, there are faith based organizations that continue to be allowed to be tax exempt in the United States, spend millions of dollars on political “statements” affecting those who are oppressed with regards to sexual orientation, gender identity and marriage equality. I challenge them, their leadership and their followers to seek better resources for use of their millions.
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