The Naked Journal
Thoughts, musings, and meanings behind NakedPastor Art.
The Naked Journal
Why I'm an LGBTQ+ Ally and Why You Can Be Too
People say I should read the Bible and then they quote verses. But I studied the Bible since childhood, went to Bible College and got my Bachelors in Bible, went to seminary and got my Masters in Bible, then my Diploma in Ministry. I took years of the original biblical languages, preached from the Bible, and read commentaries and theologians for over 30 years. What caused my theological anguish was who was in and who was out? Why would a gracious God condemn people just for being what they were: other religions, Atheists, and LGBTQ? I thought my choice was: accept everyone and reject the Bible or accept the Bible and reject everyone. The Bible didn’t help. Theologians didn’t help. Opinions didn’t help. There are qualified verses, versions, and voices from all sides. So I pored over the scriptures until I was ready to give up in total frustration. Then, in 2009, I finally saw! One day my mind was confused and the next it was at peace! It still is! I saw that we are one. There’s one reality but many interpretations and explanations of it. One reality, many thoughts, many words! Our different words express our different thoughts of this one reality. All scriptures and theologies are just human thoughts and words apprehending and articulating this one reality. If we believe our thoughts that support our intellectual divisions and cling to our words that enforce those thoughts, they will manifest as division. Once we free ourselves from this conditioning, we are free to love beyond opinions and arguments, even holy ones. Let’s not wait for biblical and theological experts to tell us when they finally agree on the final verdict about LGBTQ+. Because they never ever will! Let love determine how we relate. You with me?
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Did You Know You Don't Gotta Do Nuthin?
A rainbow sheep says to Jesus, “I’d like to hang out with you. Now what do I gotta do?” Jesus replies, “Nuthin!” Did You Know that You Don’t Gotta Do Nuthin? Many years ago I realized the enormous pressure I was under in the church to constantly perform. I bet many of you can relate to this. You were constantly required to be on your game. You had to be ready to witness and testify. You had to be ready to do good works. You had to be ready to sacrifice. You had to be ready to give. You had to be ready to serve. You had to be ready to pray. You had to be ready to help. You had to be ready to be a good person… flawless, praiseworthy, dependable. But most importantly… you had to be ready to change if it was expected or required. One of the things I detect when I sift through the gospel stories about Jesus… when I read between the diverse lines of the gospel writers… is that the man they called Jesus was a remarkably free person. And he treated others as free. He was free. You are free. We do not see a person placing constant demands and expectations on others. Rather, I see someone who simply observed others with curiosity and compassion... free of judgement. He didn’t require others to be or believe or live a certain way. He just let people be. When I was a pastor, I practiced this. And it was remarkable! So this is how I am with my community online. I am free. You are free. No pressure either way. How liberating! So… just be. And let others be. Be free. Treat others as free.
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Navigating Contradictions Of LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Religious Spaces
I know there's a lot of disappointment, pain, frustration, anger, and etcetera out there because of the Roman Catholic Church's decision to not bless same-sex marriages because "God doesn't bless sin". It feels like a hard slap in the face. That's what inspired this cartoon, LGBTQ+ But But But Cartoon description: A shepherd says to a flock of LGBTQ+ sheep, "You homosexuals have a right to b a part of the flock. You are a part of the flock of God and shouldn't be kicked out or made miserable for it!" The sheep all respond, "But...", "But...", "But..."... Especially when the Pope not long ago said pretty much what the shepherd says in this cartoon. It's seems like a complete reversal. Because it is. I don't know how these two thoughts can coexist in the same mind. I don't know the Pope nor understand him. But I do know the church a little bit. So I'm not surprised. Related LGBTQ+ Art and Blog Posts 8 LGBTQIA Cartoons for Pride MonthBeing LGBTQ+ is More than Skin Deep3 Wholesome Queer Christian Pride Drawings That Will Make You Smile
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Want to See My Very First LGBTQ+ Cartoon? "The Closeted Gay Pastor"
A group of people are talking to their pastor: "Pastor, the Spirit has revealed to us that there's a gay person in our church!" The pastor thinks to himself, "What will they do when they find out it's me?" This is the very first LGBTQ+ cartoon I ever drew... in July of 2007. Wow! A long time ago. This was the first of many. Actually, I have a book with a lot of them in it called "The Art of Coming Out" on Amazon. And many of my LGBTQ+ cartoons are shared around the world online, on prints, originals, tees, mugs, and more! I'm very proud of this and it makes me happy to spread the good news. BUT... Imagine the fear this poor pastor must feel! I know for a fact that many of you don't have to imagine. You know exactly what this fear feels like. I love you, and you have my heart... and many here can say the same thing.
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Asexual Affirming Jesus Art
I have asexual friends who've asked me to do a cartoon for them. I've also had random asexual members of our nakedpastor community ask me to make a cartoon for them. Jesus is ice fishing with a sheep with asexual colors. After asking several of them if this one or that one is good or has issues or is wrong or hurtful, I finally landed on this one. So far everyone loves it! That makes me happy, because I sure do. Maybe it's not something you do in your part of the world. But we do it here in Canada. Our rivers and lakes freeze over. When the ice is thick enough and safe enough for humans to walk on without falling through (although we even drive our vehicles on it when it's really cold and thick enough), we drill a hole through the ice and start fishing. We bring snacks and our favorite beverage too. Sometimes we catch fish! I hope you like it. There are prints too.
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Why I Adore Our Diverse and Free Community
The deep end of love and why I love this community. It goes without saying that this has been one crazy year. But one of the great things from 2020 is how the NakedPastor community is developing. I love us so so much, and I want you to know the reasons why. We are unique. There’s no one like us. Really. We are free and learning together how to live accordingly. We are open, expressing ourselves in vulnerable and honest ways. We are diverse. There are all kinds of us and I think it’s amazing. We are spread across the belief spectrum from atheist to believer. We are respectful of both faith and doubt because these are processes. We are agreed that we should keep this space as safe as possible. We are all allowed to use our voice (except those who try to silence ours). We are supportive of one another as we've experienced in our discussions. We are incredible human beings who want to love and be loved. It just proves to me all over again, like in the last church I pastored, that if you cultivate authentic community, you will indeed experience it and enjoy it. And this is what we’re doing. Which is why I love us.Which is why I love you! Let’s all hope together that 2021 is a better year. I really do love you all, and I can feel your love for me. Thanks so much, beloved, for hanging out with me and with the NakedPastor community.
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Microaggressions and The Church
This cartoon is titled " Sinners Welcome" A hip pastor says on the phone, "Of course you're welcome to come to our church if you're gay. We let in all kinds of sinners here." What Is A Micro Aggression? "Microaggression is a term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward stigmatized or culturally marginalized groups" (Wikipedia). This pastor thinks he's being cool and gracious when in fact he's being wrong and hurtful. What he says is a mircoaggression. Why? Because he's saying LGBTQ+ people are sinners BECAUSE they are LGBTQ+. And this is wrong. He hasn’t educated himself. He lacks compassion. Actually, if he cared he would educate himself. I don't even argue about this because I presume it to be true, live as though it is, and expect others to do the same. I entertain no arguments against this. We will be talking a bit more about microaggressions. Stay tuned.
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Transgender and Friendship
I know transgender people who've lost family and friends and reputation when they came out but they stuck to it. A couple of days ago, Elliot Page, a fellow Canadian who is an actor, came out as transgender. I applaud him and and admire his courage as well as the courage of all my transgender friends and transgender people everywhere. I drew this trans affirming cartoon, to celebrate those that inspire me. I'm committed to making art that celebrates and uplifts trans people. Cartoon description: A white sheep says to a transgender colored sheep, "We've been through so many changes together, we're such good friends, and I'm so grateful." The transgender sheep says, "Oh, me too. Me too." Any gospel that judges, condemns, limits, marginalizes, denies, erases, bullies, persecutes, or murders transgender people is not the gospel. Period.
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
Do you have a problem with this cartoon? Let me fix that last sentence for you by shortening it: You have a a problem. Cartoon description: Jesus and a transgender sheep hold one another on a heart-shaped float in the middle of the ocean. The murders and suspicious deaths of transgender people are increasing. They are being killed and so many more are being persecuted just for being who they are. Please support, protect, and love transgender persons.
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