Book Review: Love is an Orientation

I had a brother who was gay, contracted HIV in 1983 (he was tested later when it first became available) and died of AIDS in 1993.  I am an evangelical, bible-believing, born-again Christian.  To say there were conflicts is an understatement.  My actions, reactions, comments have caused pain, hurt and discomfort to him.  It’s not that I didn’t mean well, had the best of intentions or had pure motives.  I did.  I just didn’t know what to do or say.  If only this book, Love is an Orientation, had come out 20 years earlier I wouldn’t have so much regret hanging over my head.

I first heard of Andrew Marin of The Marin Foundation a few years ago when I watched a video he took on a Gay Pride parade in Chicago.  So when he came out with Love is an Orientation, I had to buy it.

Love is an Orientation covers the very issues that I was struggling with:

• Was my brother born that way
• Isn’t homosexuality a sin, it says so in the Bible
• Can he be gay and be a Christian
• Is he going to hell, it says so in the Bible
• When you say, “Hate the sin, but not the sinner”, why is that offensive

He explained those issues plainly and clearly.  He demonstrated how not to ask closed-minded questions and how to answer close-minded questions that are asked of you.

Today there is a huge chasm between the Republicans and the Democrats; two very distinct sides.  Who is going to build the bridge between them so constructive dialog can occur?  The same can be said between the GLBT community and the Christian community; there are two very distinct sides.  Andrew implores the Christian community to drop your prejudices and start building a bridge.  Ask those in the GLBT community what it is like to be them?  Listen to them.  Build relationships.  Don’t judge.  Just love.

I honestly and whole-heartily am asking you to read this book, especially those in the Christian community.  To have the greatest affect, you must clear all your preconceived notions; the Bible says this, the Bible says that.  The Bible also says we are just to love, simply love.  That is the Greatest Commandment.

Love is an Orientation is definitely a must read, must have book.