Earlier today, I read with great interest and joy an article in the Dallas Morning News on a medical facility for transgender children and teenagers. How marvelous, I thought, that a secular medical institution understood that a segment of the population–some of the most vulnerable among us–is in dire need of specialized medical resources.

And then it struck me:

Wouldn’t it be amazing if people of faith, i.e. Christians, were known for championing causes like this? For leading the way in understanding that not everyone is born the same way but everyone needs resources to help them thrive.

And while we’re at it, wouldn’t it be amazing if Christians were known for leading the way against police brutality and injustice….for standing up and saying that all lives cannot matter until black and brown lives matter too…and for helping immigrants (sojourners) find their family here in this country and a way to stay with their families instead of being forcibly separated…and for being the biggest cheerleaders celebrating couples who want to make holy commitments to one another…and for making sure women have the access they need to healthcare…and for standing up for young gay and transgender people and shield them from bullying and provide resources to them when their parents kick them out…and making sure that the poorest among us have access to healthcare just like they do…and for opening their businesses and bathrooms to everyone and saying “We welcome you, all.”

But…it seems to me that the most vocal Christians among us are hellbent on doing the very opposite. Of maligning the second greatest commandment with a litany of hate-speech mingled with hypocrisy and immoral superiority. Instead of being a group of people known for loving people, they are becoming more and more known for the very opposite.

What a shame. What a lost moment to show the breadth and depth of the love of God to the entire world.

Imagine what a world we could create if Christians behaved like they really believed “love your neighbor as yourself” was something they were supposed to do.

And then did it.

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