What would Jesus do?

Expansion of the plot: Religion & Spirituality

While Shelly is sure she has never known anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community in a close way, when Eva starts to transition and she discovers that she has, the scales fall from her eyes.

Ginger knows Shelly is conservative, with extremely strict Christian beliefs, and can quote scripture. Ginger always kindly, typically with humor, is willing to address how Shelly sticks to the Word. When Toni is revealed to be a woman, Ginger tells Shelly, “I see you looking at me as an abomination. I’m not afraid of spending eternity in hell. If that’s the case, I will have plenty of friends right there with me.” 

There is quite a lot of good to be taken from the Bible. It simply uses way too many words to remind us to love God and each other. That is how Jesus lived. The Bible was inspired by God, but written by humans, some of whom may have misunderstood the actual inspiration. It’s also been translated and rewritten over the past 2000 years. 

Deconstructing the Bible

I believe the verses that homophobic Christians use to condemn were initially written to rebuke sexual abuse and rape that was used as power; power over outsiders, criminals, and slaves. Could it be that Paul was sternly telling men to stop sexually abusing their young male slaves? Who wouldn’t support that? And why did they have slaves? Ginger explains that the term homosexuality was not coined until the middle of the 19th century and suggests that Shelly look at some of the clobber verses. Could those also have different interpretations?

Shelly questions how Ginger knows so much about the Bible “considering….” Ginger explains that her parents were professional Bible thumpers and shares more about that. She reminds Shelly: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” Shelly nods as she says “First Thessalonians 5:21. She’s proud she can provide this so quickly, even though she questions nothing regarding scripture. 

Shelly researches the word homosexuality and sees that the term was coined in the 1800s. She is confused and then finds websites that confirm what she has always believed: Homosexuality is a sin; their salvation is at risk without giving it to God and repenting. Through translations over time, she sees that homosexuality is derived from “effeminate,” confirming what she has always believed. She does not share her confirmation with the others. Why bother? They are too stuck in how they choose to view scripture. 

Jesus did not mention anything specifically referencing the LGBTQ+ community. He loved everyone. Maybe he was gay? Maybe he had a partner we didn’t know about? Maybe an Apostle? There are several times in the Bible when John refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” Someone mentions that Jesus lived in the Middle East, so this white-skinned version doesn’t even make sense. J.J. says, “Ooooooh, dark skin Jesus sounds hot. This is a Jesus even I could believe in.”