A Challenge, A Stance, A Step Forward

I happened to see a clip the other day, from 1997, where Oprah defended her decision to interview with Ellen Degeneres. Ellen coming out as gay, on national television, was a pivotal and historical moment at that time. This clip caused me to really stop and pause and replay. The audience member couldn’t understand how Oprah could consider herself a Christian and yet support homosexuality. Oprah responded:

“Well, I have a different view of Christian than you do, o.k. The God I serve doesn't care whether you're tall or short or whether you were born black, or Asian, or gay. So, that's just a difference of belief and I don't expect to change your belief today…”

Oprah followed this by saying that she was late to the show because she’d been arguing with someone in the makeup room who proclaimed that all gays would go to Hell, and by her supporting them, she would too. This idea is one that completely confounds me - threatening others with damnation so that they fall into line with your belief system. I think people forget that the Bible was not written by Jesus himself and that it was heavily edited. Isn’t it interesting how the Gospel of Mary Magdalene is nowhere to be found in any of the official versions of the Bible? Yes, it has good teachings that can guide us and add value to our lives, but it’s also been used as a means to control and manipulate people. If your religion, whatever it may be, fills you with fear and hatred of others who are different from you, that is dogma, not spirituality. Jesus preached love, not judgment. 

Oprah continued to respond to the audience member:
“I take full responsibility for my going to Hell or Heaven. I take full responsibility and I feel that everybody who's concerned about me now going to Hell because I'm doing the Ellen Degeneres show - I think that you all should take that energy and try to create a little Heaven here on Earth for everybody.” 

Well said, Oprah! Can you imagine how much better the world would be if we each tried to create some Heaven on Earth? If we each connected to our own heart, our own Soul, and brought out our true qualities and gifts to share with the world instead of pointing fingers, shaming, creating division, and even lashing out with hate and violence? 

The video ends with Oprah stating:
“See, I believe God created Ellen. I believe God did that. Ellen says she's gay. I believe God created her gay. I believe God did that.”

The audience member countered:
“You can't stand up there on that show, and in front of this whole American society, and say that you support that.”

Oprah’s response:
“I support her right to be who she thinks she is.”

And, mic drop. 

I was amazed at Oprah’s strength and how she maintained her stance. I found her very inspiring. I was also moved by the audience member who nearly cried as she challenged Oprah on her decision. I had empathy for her - not because she believed the Bible and the interpretation that all gays and people who support them will go to Hell, but because she was having one of her core beliefs questioned. Let me tell you, that’s shaky ground for the ego. As humans, we tend to take on our beliefs as our identity. The ego will defend its identity tooth and nail. But, you see, beliefs change. We’re meant to grow and expand and level up, so to speak. If you were to take away your identity of being Christian (or whatever belief system you hold), would you cease to exist?

I'd like you to picture a bicycle wheel. Think of all of the different religions as spokes which connect to the wheel frame (Source). There is not one or two spokes, there are many. Most people believe that there is a Creator - we just label it by different names and honor it in different ways. Go back to that vision of the bicycle wheel and compare it with humankind. All races, genders, sexual preferences, religious preferences, and political preferences are all spokes of the wheel of humanity. Each spoke is of equal importance and value to the entirety of the wheel. Each spoke has its place in the wheel of life. Wouldn’t it be a more enjoyable ride if we’d stop trying to break off the spokes we don’t agree with?

If you would like to watch the video clip mentioned above, you can find it here.

Heart Hugs, Adrienne :)