The Cross in the Closet: Jesus Christ's "Pathway of Compassion" Proclaims Liberation and Inclusiveness to Lgbtq Youth, Young Adults, & Families

"The Cross In The Closet" describes several real life situations facing young people who were LGBTQ. Some of those situations turned out well, some were tragic; all contained an element of struggle in a society that often sees the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender or questioning person as unacceptable in some way. Often these persons are given mistaken conceptions that God hates them, and religion condemns them. These stories all have in common the way in which the youth were either accepted and loved, or rejected, judged, and even hated by certain church communities. To counter the rejection and judgment, I have included several stories from the Bible that are significant to Christian faith communities. The text of the Bible story is provided in the book. The book is written in a readable format for young people, while analyzing the Biblical texts in accord with standard principles of Biblical Critical methodology. Commentary is then given on these texts that is positive, empowering, and liberating to youth, young adults, and families. This book serves to remind our young people and their families that faith is a positive value, not a weapon of judgment. "The Cross In The Closet" also seeks to show young people how God loves LGBTQ persons for who they are. This book stands in contrast to those who would say God loves you even though you are sinning or unacceptable; rather than sinning, the LGBTQ person is loved by God precisely because they are created in God's image as an LGBTQ person. Ironically, this book finds sin or brokenness in the way that LGBTQ persons are treated. LGBTQ persons are indeed accepted as created by God, including their gender orientation. Being L, G, B, T, or a Questioning youth or young adult, means being gifted as an individual who can provide spiritual insight to the straight and wider community by the authentic living of their life. It is the purpose of this book to empower youth by showing that the cross, that is Jesus' compassion, is in the closet with youth and young adults, and that they are not alone in their struggle.