Churchgoers Protecting Gay Youth

Lately there has been an escalation of sorts with gay youth extending ones' arms towards others with a deep cry for help and protection. The teens of today have chosen their own method of choice to deal with the harsh struggles of gay bullying and, unfortunately, the epidemic that has arisen seems to involve suicide of tomorrow's generations. Is suicide really the answer to gay bullying? Should churchgoers (Followers) protect or antagonize today's gay youth as it has been widely "accepted" throughout the years?

I presume, as it is with me personally, this is a difficult topic to discuss since it is so controversial in today's Christian society. There are definite antithetic sides of each individual's judgment in not only America but around the world; it is only more pronounced in America today due to these suicides being splattered front-page in popular forms of media coverage. It is bringing forth awareness to the issue at hand which according to Teen Suicide Statistics is "one of the leading causes of death among teenagers" of today. Although it does come as a surprise to me, the site mentions suicide in teens between the ages of 15 to 24 as the third leading cause of death. If that were not scary enough, it is the fourth leading cause among those between the ages of 10 and 14.

It raises the question, is the elevation of gay teen suicides an attempt to gain attention by committing suicide? Astounded by many comments in the blogosphere, I read that many contributors were suggesting that those whom chose to end their lives for gay rights were using the likes of Civil Rights Activist, Rosa Parks. She holds her name high as a strong, dignified woman that fought for her rights which later sparked a revolution in American history. Can mass suicides for a cause be compared to Parks courage with sitting in the front of a segregated bus? Are these gay teens using Rosa Parks as an historical example to pronounce the need for gay rights and justice in America?

The NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) would like to suggest otherwise, with the statistics that offered, "Most suicide attempts are expressions of extreme distress, not harmless bids for attention." Searching throughout many different medical researches and journals, I was not able to find previously reported statistics on gay teen suicides exclusively. Therefore this offers two suggestions: 1. Medical professionals have not found the necessary funding to research the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) populace. 2. There has not been a definite division among the homosexual to heterosexual youths of today's society to request such a study.

With current research results in mind, this sudden flare-up of gay teen suicides is included in the research statistics mentioned above. Hence, it is our duty as a Christian to learn from the bible and protect not only heterosexual teens but also homosexual without any sort of dissociation. Similar to the age-old debate of abortion, Christians should fight for the lives and protect all God's children. "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward", is a verse that refers children as a reward in Psalm 127:3. Note that this bible verse does not hold special clauses or fine print mentioning the subtraction of LGBT children.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus is on countless occasions seen teaching of God's love for all children either by word or action. These accounts in the bible should remind all Christians to protect all of God's children, no matter his/her sexual preference. Children are rewards and one should not judge but protect them at all costs from danger and/or sin just as Jesus did in the New Testament. It is a sin to commit suicide as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and Psalm 139:15-16 from the bible.

Research shows that current gay teen suicides are not an abnormal issue but has just been unveiled by recent suicide events taken place. Not only are gay teens committing a sin by committing suicide, some Christians are committing sins by judging the LGBT teens and not protecting them. Matthew's 7:1 states, "we should not judge others". Either being a teen bully or judgmental adult turning away LGBT teens for their sexual preferences we are all committing sins. I urge all adults to protect children that are hurting inside, either be it from bullying, sexual judgments, and/or other stresses that are causing depression. I urge teens to reach out to the LGBT or churches such as the Episcopalian Church, The Church of England, and other openly accepting churches of God.

Leave the judgments for God and learn to accept and protect all children of God.