A Baptist pastor and the mayor of a small town in Alabama took his own life after having photos of him dressed in drag as part of a transgender alternate identity were posted online.
On November 3rd, F.L. “Bubba” Copeland died by suicide just days after an exposé outing his secret life was posted on a conservative blogging site.
Despite Copeland pleading with the outlet not to publish the story – which included numerous photos and posts from his previously-undiscovered social media accounts – they did anyway.
Now, the community he once served is grieving. They're also looking for answers as to why their pastor and mayor was outed against his will, and are trying to better understand his secret identity.
Secret Life in a Small Town
By all accounts, Bubba Copeland was a loyal public servant. He served as the mayor of Smiths Station, Alabama, and as pastor of the nearby First Baptist Church of Phenix City.
Unlike some of his peers, according to sources familiar with the matter, Copeland had no track record of giving anti-LGBTQ+ sermons, nor has he supported or advanced any anti-LGBTQ+ legislation as mayor.
It would appear that few, if any, residents in the small community of less than 7,000 knew of his double life online.
That all changed following his outing by the Alabama-based blogging site.
Outed Against His Will
Prior to publication, Copeland pleaded with the website not to publish details of his alternate identity.
“It’s a hobby I do to relieve stress. I have a lot of stress, and I’m not medically transitioning. It’s just a bit of a character I’m playing. I don’t go out and seek solicitation or anything like that,” he argued. “It’s private. I don’t do it in the public or anything like that. It’s just a fictional character I made up to relieve stress.”
Copeland argued that his private life was not any business of his constituents or parishioners. “Does this have any effect on me being mayor, that I sometimes put on a dress or sometimes put on makeup? Does that have anything to do whatsoever with me being mayor or being a pastor?” he asked.
Despite his pleadings, on November 1st, the site published images taken from Copeland’s secret Reddit account. The images included numerous photos of himself in drag and taking on the identity of a transgender woman.
A Final Sermon
Following the publication, Copeland gave a sermon from the pulpit at his church. “The article is not who or what I am … I apologize for any embarrassment caused by my private and personal life that has become public. This will not cause my life to change. This will not waiver my devotion to my family, serving my city, serving my church,” Copeland said.
He then read from the 23rd Psalm telling parishioners, “God will always protect you, take care of you,” Copeland said. “He will see you through anything, absolutely anything.”
On November 3rd, Lee County deputies responded to a welfare check call for Copeland. When they arrived on the scene, he took his own life with a firearm.
A Community in Mourning
Copeland’s community appears heartbroken by his suicide.
One of Copeland’s friends, former Phenix City School Superintendent Dr. Larry DiChiara, expressed his anger on Facebook.
“I am so angry right now and heartbroken,” he wrote. “I witnessed a good man be publicly ridiculed and crucified over the last few days to the point that he just took his own life today.”
“I just want to ask you people who thought it humorous to publicly ridicule him: Are you happy now? What crime did he commit?”
Many commenters on the First Baptist Church of Phenix City expressed similar sentiments.
As one woman wrote, “He didn't kill himself, he was killed by the judgment of people who should have been loving and supporting him and trusting his heart. You know who you are.”
Prominent pastor and biblical scholar Kevin Young took to X (formally Twitter) with a call to action: “This pastor committed suicide not too far from here today. We must end LGBTQ+ persecution.”
What is your reaction?
148 comments
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Michael Hunt
This is the sad result of LGBTQ+ persecution and nonacceptance. His actions didn't harm anyone, nor was he "shoving his lifestyle down other's throats" as so many conservatives like to claim of the queer community. He was just trying to live his authentic self and because of intolerance and hateful ridicule, he was driven to take his own life. This is such a shame and I hope the community can reflect on how their actions affect others in their community.
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Ms Divine
Don't make this about you and your community. This has nothing to do with LGBTQ! He wasn't transgender, gay, bi or queer!!
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Michael Hunt
My comment was based on the article saying, "A Baptist pastor and the mayor of a small town in Alabama took his own life after having photos of him dressed in drag as part of a transgender alternate identity were posted online" as well as the last quote, “This pastor committed suicide not too far from here today. We must end LGBTQ+ persecution.” If this was incorrect, I do apologize. Also, I am not part of the LGBTQ+ community, just an ally for their equal rights.
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Keith Allen Steele Eash
They already have equal rights as stated in equal rights amendment. Why in hell do we have to spell them out to every sick and crazed doofus. Next will be those who practice beastiality and include the pediphiles while we're at it. The buck stops somewhere.
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Michael Hunt
And despite that, conservatives are actively trying to repeal same-sex marriage through the Supreme Court, adoption centers are denying them the ability to adopt a child, there's even groups who try to use their religious beliefs as an excuse to deny gay people services.
And the equal rights amendment you speak of was never passed because of conservative states who have refused to pass it.
This isn't a slippery-slope argument. Being LGBTQ does not harm anyone, it's just how someone is. Pedophilia on the other hand harms children and bestiality harms animals, both of whom cannot consent to sexual activity and because of that those things will never be legal or accepted.
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Anisahoni
Are they really "conservatives" or are they Christo Fascists? The problem with them is that they believe they have a right to control others even when their religious views and theologies are different. Many Christians, Jews, Agnostics do not buy their homophobia or misogyny and have created organizations to stop these fascists.
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Keith Allen Steele Eash
Oh my God. Persecution my rear end. He brought it on.himself by choosing his lifestyle.
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SueW
Which was anyone else’s business how exactly? He wasn’t hurting anyone.
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ServantOfJudgement
He posted pictures of himself as a transvestite on line, he wanted people to see him that way. Well, people saw him that way. Don't blame people for something he wanted.
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Robert Rohr
I couldn't quite figure out why he posted the photos. Servant gave a direct explanation.
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Keith Allen Steele Eash
If you commit sin it affects the community and everyone around you. It's called scandel. That's the problem with today's society. Just think what it does to his family. Please quit bei.g a milk sop people. You see sin you expose it. Jesus did. He overthrew the money lenders in the Temple. He called out the hypocrites . He didn't use politically correct language. Mt God, we atevso compassionate we embrace everyone in their disgusting sins and never correct them. That is called tough love.
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
You're the epitome of Christian "love". :(
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Do you honestly believe anyone would choose to be transgender? His blood is on your hands.
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ServantOfJudgement
His blood is on his own hands. It's suicide. He posted the pics to be seen. He was seen. Had he never uploaded himself as a transvestite the world would have never known. Further more, he was teaching a document that said not to do what he did. He of all people knew his sin would find him out.
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Colleen McAllister
Feeling comfortable in the clothes if the opposite sex is not a lifestyle, nor is it a sin. How would you classify women who were pants?
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Tevin Carrell Brown
If you never experienced growth or maturity then you probably don't understand, which would cause your response make sense. However you're still here. You were strong congratulations. Unfortunately the ability to quit sometimes seems more rewarding then going through, for an untrained mind.
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Anisahoni
Pathetic response. So empathic. What would your Jesus say to you?
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Rev. Elizabeth
My heart aches for this man. I can visualize this man begging not to share. How cold and Calloused these people are for doing it to this man. You knew he was trying to protect is job, his church family and his loved ones from his secret. Everyone should be allowed to have a secret without persecution and from cold hearted people. I pray for his soul and for all the people who love him.
It’s sad that he felt he had to take his own life. I bet the majority of the people in his life would understand. I pray for the people who did this to him. I pray they get their just reward for their callousness to a man who was begging his secret stay that way. ~Rev. Elizabeth S. Arsenault
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Susan A MacDonald
Someday this world will learn to accept that no one is “ different “ as it’s put…. People are just people… as long as they are kind, good people….. shouldn’t we be grateful.
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Joy
I long for that day, too, Susan.
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Colleen McAllister
It is so sad that this man was shamed into killing himself when his private life was posted on social media. We are told not to judge others and yet that is what we constantly do. I pray that in death he has found his peace. In ancient history there was little difference between male and female dress. Why are we so fussy about it now?
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ServantOfJudgement
He posted the pictures himself with his computer using his hands with his mouse. Sad I know but he put it out there, the wrong person found it.
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Robert Rohr
Yep. Once you hit the send button, you lose control. This should be a lesson learned.
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Janis Carol Sommers
How very sad this story is. He did not dress in Drag. He was a cross dresser, not Trans, not a Drag Queen. Many, many men who have stressful jobs wear women's lingerie and put on make up and high heels in the privacy of their homes. It helps them find their feminine selves and let off pressures associated with the role of the successful aipha male expected of them.
It is absolutely hateful that he was outed and condemned. Janis Sommers, Goddess Light and Healing
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Amber Fry
Um... that's what drag means, cross dressing. Some could also be gay, trans or queer but a great many of them are not.
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Roger William Hurt Jr
Society itself makes these things happen. I see reports on the news of one group of people not liking another, WHY? ASK YOURSELF WHY, couldn't we sit and talk with a open mind to anyone? Why can't we listen to understand their way of life without trying to defend your own? This man has chosen what he wanted to do, without harm to any soul in this world, his choice to dress as a women has zero effect on me or my family or you and your loved ones. He wasn't forcing his ways on anyone. The people that did this to him are the same ones that love to force their beliefs on everyone and can't accept for one second there is another view, their word or beliefs are not law! There are many interpretations to the bible, we tend to make it fit our beliefs and life style, why can't it be? Why does everything have to be so literal?
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Arthur Dixon Jones
Pastor Copeland, was a dedicated Pastor as well as Mayor. I understand he like to dress in womens clothes. He was not Gay, Transgender or whatever the current fad is this week. Why people felt they had to out him is just a sick thing to do, drive a man to suicide should be a federal crime. All the the negative comments I have read on this proves to me there is a lot of non-christians here, you all know who you are. My Ministry preaches about Love, belief, the Word of our Lord, patience, faith, acceptance of others who might not have the same beliefs. MATTHEW 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged " God Bless us all ✝️
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Joy
I think you may be mistaken on one thing. It is not "non Christians" who persecute people like this man. It is Christians who judge day in and day out anything that they do not understand. They are scared at the littlest things in life and take it out on other people.
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Marie Grace Maroney
Whatever the current fad is this week? Please take your loving, non judgmental self to any educational institution whether it be Google or a Book. Read the LBGTQ content and how it is a not a “fad”, not a choice. Talk to any member of this community and listen. As the mother of a Trans child I can assure you it wasn’t a choice for her, nor is it a “fad”. The steps they go through from shame, embarrassment, spiritual conflict, questioning God, to happiness, fulfillment and Pride is a long process. A hard, almost debilitating journey. No one would choose this.
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Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
Marie, in my ancestral culture your daughter would have been loved and revered by the tribe as being sacred with a unique connection to the energies of the land and spirit. As a Queer person of Indigenous descent who is a priestex trying to follow the gods in the traditional ways of my multitude of cultural backgrounds would have pre-Christianization, your daughter would be welcome in our faith.
Nobody chooses to be LGBTQ+ in any way. Why would we when modern Christian-centric cultures hate us so openly and publicly and are actively trying to eliminate us?
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Anisahoni
Yes, in mine as well before they were forced to become Christianized. Two Spirits have always been considered to be sacred until the missionaries came along.
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Arthur Dixon Jones
I used the wrong word calling it a "fad" I just find it hard to find a answer when many male High School students declare themselves "female transgender" and then they try to be accepted so they can play and dominate girls sports.
I apologize for taking up any more time, and this shall be my last comment on this post. But I do know this. The lord created 2 gender, people can feel as they like be happy and live your life it wont change who you are, what gender you belong.
God Bless us one and all ✝️
Reverend, Arthur Dixon
adj.world.ministries.non-denominational.churches.
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John Ash McCormick
Another reminder that a theocracy is the worst of all possible governments.
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Christine Nolte Joyce
I hope the person s) who ignored his pleas is plagued with guilt and remorse for being the instrument that caused a man to take his life. May this poor man's death be a catalyst for changing standards of reporting.
This Pastor committed no crime. In Shakespeare's day women were prohibited from performing in the theater and men routinely transformed themselves into female characters. Nobody screamed that it was an abomination and a sin against God. This Pastor created a character that he performed online. No Commandments were broken. If he had belonged to an all male acting troupe and volunteered to be the female characters in their performances would this be an issue?
May his soul rest in eternal Peace and may his family find comfort in the memories of the loving man they knew.
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Darlene M Davies-Warner
Agree 100% I don't understand why anyone needed to make his private/personal life public. He wasn't breaking any of man's laws or God's laws. So sad my heart goes out to his family and all of those that new and loved him.
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John Ash McCormick
"plagued with guilt and remorse" you must be kidding. They are smug and probably asking for donations. We can't fight this sort of abuse unless we acknowledge that those hate filled people are proud and happy with themselves.
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Ellen B. Wentzel
Who are we to judge? Our job is to "love one another."
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Rev Ned
This is truly sad. Put “Christ” back in Christmas? How about putting “Christ” back in “Christians”.
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Nicholas J Page
This poor man was judged on his sexualities whether gay or not.May he find peace in heaven and social media followers burn in hell I pray for his loved ones he left behind.Mental health issues are not a joke.
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Amber Fry
Actually he was judged on his enjoyment of wearing women's clothes. It didn't say anything about his sexuality. The man would have done much better as an actor and been far more accepted if he had been.
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Rev.J.Buchanan
Here was a man who had to give council to others, to help others find peace in their lives, and at the same time lead a double life. I feel sympathy for him and his family. How could he not know that sooner than later he would be exposed? And the big question is, should he have been exposed in the way that he was? Personally, I don't think so. When does one keep quiet and let something be and when should one speak up? What a mess, for his family, and for those in his Church who are die hard Bible thumping belivers. Their shock must be shaking them to the core.
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Amber Fry
Should he have been exposed at all? He wasn't hurting anyone or pressing it onto anyone else. Why would exposure be needed at all?
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Tianne Curtiss
Hurts my heart, may he now feel loved.
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Grand Poobah M
Are you the judge, jury and executioner? Holier than thou. Come on man, go read your bible some more and stop cherry picking what suits you. Maybe you should see a shrink
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Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
LGBTQ+ people are the same as anyone else! Productive members of society like anyone else can be. He (or maybe she? not sure of preferred pronouns) was a good person and a beloved member of the community. It says volumes about others that they feel they can harass and hate on someone based on an identity and hobbies that harm absolutely nobody to the point where they feel there is no way out than to end their life.
As a Queer priestex myself, I feel immense grief. I am thankful that within Wicca and most forms of Paganism we believe that gender and sexuality are not a mistake or an affront to the gods - so far as the individual is not harming anyone else (paedophilia does not count and they are not welcome in either our faith community or the LGBTQ+ community). The sense of the divine masculine and feminine energies exist on a spectrum in my faith. My Indigenous ancestors believed that people who had both senses had spiritual power and revered them. We don't believe in hating others in my faith as hate is a form of harm and is considered to be a sin.
May the pastor rest with the gods.
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Michelle Charlene Larkins
First off, my condolences to his friends and family on his tragic death. Secondly, I am a Transgender woman who had to hide for over 40 years in my male body before I fully came out to the public. Thirdly, I became a Minister to help others like me, members of the LGBTQIA+ Community that are afraid of the Church or being known to the so called "Christian" Community or on social media for just such reasons as this Pastor kept hidden even though he wasn’t truly part of our community. I still get misgendered to this day even when I'm in full dress up mode. Although, I do not let that stop me from practicing my livelihood by praying 🙏 for others to support my LGBTQIA+ Family and supporters and hope others will eventually see that Jesus meant when he said to LOVE ❤️ EVERYONE!
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
My heart weeps for those who hate different. It means your soul isn't full of love. That hatred feeds what motivates you to attack people who are different. You cannot say love without forgetting.. it comes in many forms. True love sees through hate. I grieve for family and all that saw true love in and around him. Sad. Today.. we need less hate and more love.
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John R Liming
I guess it is true when the Bible says that the wages of sin is death...It is sad and unfortunate, but perversions are definitely declared in the Scripture to be abominations in the eyes of God.
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John Ash McCormick
Actually the wages of absolutely everything including birth is eventually death.
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Catherine
@John R Liming
You and your religion should dictate to more than half the world's non-christians? And while organized religious leaders say numbers are dropping and fewer members are tithing.
Scotty... beam him up!
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Roger L. Morrison
Yes, this was a tragic event that caused everyone he knew to grieve, Professional help not only could have helped him with his personal life but could have given him the strength to handle the attack on his personal life, through Christ Jesus's love.
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Paul Phillip Miller
I think it's important to remember that as human beings we all lie at one point or another, either to ourselves, others or both. We often present our personalities differently weather we are with co-workers, family, friends, or within a religious community. lets not be so quick to draw a circle around ourselves and call it "us", and anyone we feel is outside of the circle and call them "other". Nothing this man did had any bearing on my life, experience, work, beliefs or spirituality. "De mortuis nil nisi bonum dicendum est"
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Linda S. Hansen
The commandment to “love one another” is entirely inclusive. It is what Jesus asks of His children. This needless persecution must end as it violates the Saviors primary directive to Christians.
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Russell J Macomber Jr
He was playing a part in a skit or game or something like that. Like Harry Potter, or dungeons and dragons. How many people dress up and go to comic con and some dress as women superheroes and go out in public. He wasn’t starring in the Rocky horror picture show. I’m ashamed at the Americans that made this man feel like he had no other option but to take his own life. Knowing that killing is a sin, and being a pastor a Messenger of God. The torment he must’ve been going through in his mind. I hope he is now, and I wish him eternal peace. God Bless.
Our father.
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Rev. Rory
This is so sad. My condolences to his family. We are who we are and we are the way we were born. As a pastor, I hope he encouraged his flock to be accepting of all people as long as they are not harming anyone.
I'm reminded of the old TV show, The Golden Girls and Dorothy's brother. The episode about his funeral is a lesson in understanding and acceptance but also pain. It's worth watching.
The biggest, obvious lesson to all of us is DON'T POST ANYTHING ONLINE without understanding that someone, somewhere, may decide to monetize your private life, opinions, pictures, etc. A bunch of clicks is worth a lot of money. By all means, NEVER post pictures of the children in your family online. Ever.
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Donna J Enneking
He was a child of God. To judge another human being like that is unconscionable. Judgement takes us out of our higher selves. Shame on them. Anyone who would do that to this beautiful soul is not a person of God or even a productive human on our earth. May he rest in peace.
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ServantOfJudgement
Kevin Young is one of the false teachers Jesus warned us about. It's safe to disregard his opinion and perspective on the Bible which he openly opposes. Indeed, he worships Ishtar(pride in sexual sin).
As far as this poor man that drove himself to suicide, this is the part where artists and antichrists encourage more preachers to follow suit as the often do on this blog.
Had this man give up preaching the word of God or abandon his lust for cross dressing I doubt we would be reading anything about him at all. The bible is in opposition to cross dressing and is one of the conditions of declaring judgement on a nation when they do it wholesale as USA is just beginning to encourage.
Very sad, let's just pray he did indeed believe Jesus is The Christ and accepted him as Lord.
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Susan A MacDonald
Your opinion is your opinion and every man holds a bible written by man. I believe those who try to stand in judgment of others should first judge the man in the mirror.
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Joy
SOJ, You stand here an judge that man as if you were God Almighty himself. You are the example of a Christian that others do not want to be like or join "the flock". Your Bible is a book made up by men to control others and keep them in line with threats of hell. That man did nothing wrong but you judge. If you believe your fabled textbook, then remember is does say not to judge.
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ServantOfJudgement
Joy, I'm just saying what the Bible says, nothing more. You don't have to believe the bible is the word of God but this poor soul apparently did, he taught it. He knew the bible said no cross dressing but he chose to anyway. He posted the pictures on line(pride) and became ashamed when discovered by the press. He chose to end his life in a tragic way, he didn't have to. Nowadays he would have been encouraged to keep cross dressing.
When a judge or jury finds a man guilty of murder, theft, rape, drug abuse, domestic violence and so on are they not judging that man?
When you answer 'Yes' to that question you'll find your answer to be in conflict with what you just advised me the bible said. That means you don't understand what you think the Bible says.-
Jeff Grippe
Where does the bible say "no cross dressing"? What they wore in those days was nothing like what we wear today. Back then, they probably couldn't even define cross dressing. Can you imagine that for all these years, I didn't know the bible had a dress code?
Clothing styles 2000 years ago demonstrates the diversity and complexity of ancient fashion, influenced by cultural norms, climate, status, and local customs. Often, both men and women wore tunics. I'm pretty sure that there is no "book of tunics" that tells us how each sex should dress.
I think Jesus had more important things to attend to.
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ServantOfJudgement
It's in the old testament. Sure we dress different today but there there's always men clothes and women's clothes. Always. Dressing in the opposite sex's clothing as a practice is a form of deception. Why do you think transvestites get into trouble when they go too far with a straight dude and he finds out too late? Rage ensues. It's just bad. Don't do it.
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Colleen McAllister
Back up your claim with the Scripture.
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ServantOfJudgement
I don't like to quote the bible Colleen, it makes me seem like a rabid atheist attacking Christianity but since you're a fellow Christian and I know you're heart is gentle here:
Deuteronomy 22:5
“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
Abomination is a very powerful word selectively used by God. While there is an opinion that the old testament is obsolete, Jesus points to it again and again rendering that perspective invalid.
As I said, it's a form of deception we would be wise to avoid. That is to say, Christians should not do it, especially preachers. Pagans and atheists are not bound by Jesus or his commandments in life but in death. They still have to deal with the ramifications of sin as we all do though. This man was a Christian in torment. A terrible tragedy. If he is a Christian, his heart is healed now and he's with our Lord Jesus.
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Rev Mark D
Bluff called.
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Rev Mark D
Bluff called.
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Paul Phillip Miller
you said "Dressing in the opposite sex's clothing as a practice is a form of deception" What about drag queens? from what I understand they only cross-dress when on stage. you can't exactly call that a deception. people don't wander accidentally into a drag show, I suppose.
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ServantOfJudgement
As I said Paul, this pertains to christians. If an unbelieving dude wants to drag, have at it.
You're right though, nobody stumbles into a drag show on accident unless it's a a public library or some such.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
What part of the bible is opposed to cross-dressing?
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Michael Anton Goedeker
Jesus along with the new testament taught acceptance, love, kindness and showing mercy to all living beings as these are the product of the source (i.e. God). Causing someone to kill themselves is a far bigger sin than dressing up as a woman or even engaging in sexual acts in public. The death of Gods greates achievement (Humans) is a mortal sin like no other. Of this there is no discussion or excuse.
The mere idea that any person who states they are a person of God, accepting someone blackmailing or forcing another shows thier true contempt of God's word and the evil that is really in thier own soul and heart.
The way that type of logic works is the sickness that threatens this world and questions the very foundation of religion. Then what is more dangerous then a closet radical pretending to be a God fearing person, ready to pounce at the next chance of forcing the next person to suicide...
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Amber Fry
Oh please. In the days the books of that cannon were first created the clothing men and women wore were not much different until the later ones were added in the last few hundred years. That was man's doing, not any god's doing.
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ServantOfJudgement
I'm not sure if you've noticed but I sure have, chicks are shaped quite a bit differently than dudes. The clothing must be different, ask any seamstress. I'm married to one, I'll ask her over dinner tonight.
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Anisahoni
Yes, in mine as well before they were forced to become Christianized. Two Spirits have always been considered to be sacred until the missionaries came along.
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Rev Mark D
Looks like online isn't private.
Even Hamas terrorists get to be private, because they wear masks.
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Michael Sciulli
These sins commit by these individuals against teaching of bible pray for the world it’s in trouble from minster mike god bless
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Randall Hall
I am sad this story ends the way it does. Both sides are wrong. He shouldn't have been dishonest and hid it, especially from his parishioners. And the site shouldn't have publicly outed him.
In any case, suicide is always the worst possible option.
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Christine Nolte Joyce
His wife was aware and they participated together. So who exactly was he lying to that makes it a sin? How is he "wrong" for choosing to keep his personal life out of the pulpit? If he had decided that prestidigitation was a hobby that relaxed him but chose not to tell his congregation is that still a sin? You strive to have your congregation focus on the message of God's Love and hear His word during a Sunday Sermon, not have their knowledge of your private earthy hobbies be what they're focusing on instead.
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Steven Ferrell
He needed to be removed as pastor, but also needed the congregation to show him love and help him turn his life around.
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Susan A MacDonald
Why should he be removed as pastor, how many pastors, etc., have you known to live a Lilly pure white life? I have yet to see one pastor, etc., who could honestly point a finger at someone else and in my years here on earth I’ve seen many both well know and unknown fall from grace of humans but I’m sure was still lived by god.
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Billy L.A.L.Davis
God said, " For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God".
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ServantOfJudgement
Preachers are held to a higher standard. You want a meth head on meth preaching? God doesn't.
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Imani Neville
I am so divided with this God said the greatest commandment is love. While I do not agree with homosexuality (Levitcus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians ) Jesus walked with the sinners to lead them away from their sins, not persecuting their sins.
I am alarmed that their IS an HOMOSEXUAL agenda to INTRODUCE these IDEOLOGIES into the minds of innocent children.
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Jeff Grippe
Oh please! There is no agenda. Gay people don't have "recruitment drives". The science says that you are either born gay or you aren't. Attempts at "conversion therapy" have always failed. I'm sure that attempting to convert straight people to gay would also fail.
The only "agenda" if you want to call it that, is that gay people assert that they are entitled to basic human rights and should be free from persecution.
Nobody is recruiting children into the gay lifestyle. They are demanding the basic respect that they are entitled to.
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ServantOfJudgement
Then pull it from schools.
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Michael Hunt
So are you suggesting we remove gay people from schools? Deny that they exist and force people into the closet? Why is it okay to teach straightness in schools but you can't teach about gayness? Is it because you have a double-standard derived from an ancient book written by men to control the masses? (Hint: yes it is)
You can't pull sexuality from schools any more than you can pull blood from a stone; everyone experiences sexuality in some form and trying to deny that leads to all sorts of problems. It's better to teach a child about sexuality in an age appropriate manner than letting them find it out for themselves through unsavory and noneducational mediums.
You try and act as if telling a gay person to stop being gay will magically make them straight again but we have centuries of evidence to the contrary. All it does is divide and segregate our society into those accepted by your religious beliefs and those who are shunned and that doesn't benefit the common good at all.
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Amber Fry
Actually no, there is no agenda. That's fear mongering pure and simple. I've known quite a number of people who cross dressed. Some were gay, some were queer, non tried to convert me or force anyone else into anything. If they are guilty of anything it's drawing a pretty hard line about being who you are and NOT pushing others into doing or being what isn't in them as well as accepting others for who and what they are as long as they are not hurting anyone. What people seem to keep missing here is that its about personal conduct, not about forcing others to conform. Live it, don't force it on others. BE it, don't push it. If someone needs council then by all means if they ask. Otherwise leave people to their own and live your life your way.
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Christine Nolte Joyce
And many cross dressers are STRAIGHT. Cross dressing can have absolutely nothing to do with a person's sexuality or gender. But many so called Christians have filthy minds and immediately judge based on their ignorance and fear. Several of them pontificating in this thread make my point. The fact they make assumptions and judgements of this person reflect on how dark and sick their souls are, not his.
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David Lee Zutz
There is No such thing as "Private once it's posted online. Parents tell their Children all the time not to post pics online for that same Reason. In fact with cameras being present everywhere, Privacy is Fastly disappearing. So Beware thinking what You are doing is private, It could get You in trouble. Just like God sees everything, Now days, Man sees almost everything.
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Father Flanagan
Unless you are suffering from a painful fatal disease suicide is a cowards choice rather than face ridicule or embarrassment, I do not feel any sympathy for the action he took - he was not a warrior for god but instead just another coward unwilling to own what he has done. Millions of people get unwillingly outed for all kinds of things some get canceled and lose employment which happened to this man. So if you were really that embarrassed to the point where you committed suicide what does that say about how he felt about what he was doing? If he truly believed he had done nothing wrong he wouldn’t have taken his own life rather he would have stood by his private recreation/hobby and gone after the people who outed him legally - this is why I have no sympathy and think of him as a coward who was ashamed of himself!
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Amber Fry
And yet people seem to be content to attack others until they are driven to it. Even warriors have a limit. To be constantly attacked is an awful thing. To feel hopeless and helpless is an awful thing. True Christianity wasn't meant to push people like that. It was meant to learn to treat others better, help others. Love thy neighbor did not have a clause that said "unless they are different in thoughts and beliefs then me". Not having sympathy for those in pain is so far removed from the teachings of Christianity that I don't understand why anyone would bother claiming it as their religion.
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Jim H. Ralston
Those that are without fault cast the first stone, the second stone, or this one. I pray for those you provide counsel to.
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Lionheart
From what I can gather, even the long haired Jesus, if he was real, used to wear a dress. His beard possibly gave the game away though 🤭
I'm sure you supporters will say it was a robe, but we all know it was really a dress that he wore, followed by all of his 12 MEN supporters that you like to call apostles, as a get-out clause 🤪
🦁♥️
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Rev Mark D
Lion, you always give me a laugh. :)
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JaZe
Even Simpson cartoon includes LGBTQ now.
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Rev. Jim Sutton
I'm sorry he took his life . . . but what can be expected when one POSTS ONLINE ---"numerous photos and posts from his previously-undiscovered social media accounts." Note the plural "accountS." It's the INTERNET people. You're putting out there and then you're surprised that people eventually find out and talk about it? What about "online/internet" do they NOT understand. If you want to keep a secret, you don't tell anyone - - - let alone POST IT.
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Jim H. Ralston
So tragic This was a personal and professional friend of mine
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Michael Hunt
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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Rev E Wild
The more I read, the more I think this wasn't as innocent as he would've liked people to think. Pretty disturbing claims about the contents of his reddit account. I searched his name on Twitter :-(
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Emmanuel Rivera
As Christians and humans, people shouldn't judge and make fun of this man. Be proud of him for putting that lifestyle behind him and becoming a man of God. I hate that he took his life with suicide and I pray he can be forgiven, but I know it says that suicide is an unforgivable sin.
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NLilly
Yes. This is truly a sad story indeed. That's why we are to walk in the Light and Love of GOD ALMIGHTY, In CHRIST JESUS. Living a 'Double Life' is being deceitful. What's done in the dark will come to the light; and as a Minister, I'm very sure this Baptist Pastor already knew this. So why try and live two separate lives? It makes him look like a hypocrite!
We have to lead by example. If his heart and life weren't being one with JESUS CHRIST in holiness, then that trick spirit within him had him blinded and fooled, to the point that, when he was exposed, he took his own life!
Love and Truth go hand in hand. There are Standards of Living Pure and Holy in the Body of CHRIST. If you have a stress problem and you know JESUS, then why consult to being another person? Why not seek help? Even as a Pastor, if you need help in living truthfully, then, reach out to GOD in prayer and seek other Pastors who are much stronger than yourself to help pray you through, if you feel that your prayers aren't good enough. Don't live as somebody else and feel it's okay because no one sees you behind closed doors. And yet, You want to 'hide' yourself in your sins; but then you want to have a Social Media Site based on that same character that lives as something else? That's CONFUSION! And you now beg not to be exposed? See how that devil tricked him? And is laughing at him now!
I pray that many who read this story of his, learn from it; and seek the Living GOD ALMIGHTY to get rid of those 'secret sins' before they 'find you out'! This story is soooo horribly sad; and there is no place in the Eternal Kingdom of GOD ALMIGHTY for those who take their very own lives, which is indeed a Gift from GOD ALMIGHTY ABOVE! STOP Living Double Lives People; if You are Naming The Name Of JESUS CHRIST as Your Personal LORD & SAVIOR. AMEN!
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Lionheart
Awe, bless you, NLilly. May you soon get well. I know how deep indoctrination hurts, I’ve been there. It really is possible to recover from the God virus. Lots of hugs 🤗
🦁❤️
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Rev Mark D
Well, it looks like the monastery scooped the Washington post, bubba's story was in The Washington Post today (Friday).
Also on the paper day before yesterday (Thursday), this time in the New York Times, is an article about the Pope: "Vatican Says Transgender People Can Be Baptized and Become Godparents A document approved by Pope Francis..."
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Rev Mark D
...And silence from the smarmies. Nothing but crickets.
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Robert Rohr
He was in two lonely and stressful occupations. Maybe somebody could have reached out to be a friend.
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Rev Mark D
And more silence from the smarmies.
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Bishop William Dusenberry, DD
Why any female, once they became aware of Roman Catholic misogyny, doesn’t convert to a female-friendly religion, such as Secular Humanist Pantheism, is perplexing. Such females, who continue to stay, where they’re clearly not wanted, mush have a sense of self-loathing, which explains why so many of them, stay loyal to the GOP.
This really breaks my heart. Why can't we just let people be who they are?
The guy was sick and needed to see a shrink.
You need to see a shrink, Keith. You also need to ask yourself the question if you are so perfect that you can cast the first stone. I am sick of idiots like you hiding behind rightousness when in fact your type of person is the biggest sinner of them all. People that blackmail and expose others against thier will are criminals and murders when that person has no other way out but to kill themselves. Shame on you for your comment and ideology, shame on you.
Well said Michael!
Well said Michael!!
Exactly Kieth too easy for these people to ruin someone’s life they don’t even know & make judgments that can destroy their life without their permission
I didn't cast a stone. I just said he was sick and needed to see a shrink. I just comm e need on his probl e m. That's not casting a stone. Younlove freaks in here always want u o embrace th e sinner and the sin. You condemn the sin and extend reconciliation . But, he couldn't reach out got forgiveness. He judged himself and took his life.
@Keith Allen Steele Eash
"Younlove freaks"... are God and Jesus not 'love freaks'?
You did cast stones, while you, sir, lean on a God to forgive you for being human.
Organized religious sycophants want to judge and not be judged. To sin freely with forgiveness by a fantasy God instead of simply being a better human. But, when push comes to shove, what people think matters most.
If Pastor Copeland only felt judged by God, he would likely be here because God forgives.
People though, don't forgive what does not benefit them or what they do not relate to. Then they set their God aside to say or do as they please. AND feel self-righteous about it. Go you!
To Keith Allen Steele Eash: I have a Master's in clinical psychology, and I am training for my last degree to become a licensed therapist. Cross-dressing and role play is NOT a recognized mental disorder unless it was causing significant impairment in his life, which it was not until he was outed. As a result, NO he does NOT need to see a therapist. It is NOT a diagnosable condition in his case. However, you may want to visit someone to talk about your irrational hatred of the man.
The point here is he was NOT sick.
Lmao
Sounds to me like he was doing fine until someone decided to publicly judge his private activities.
When we hide our sins from others we are not getting by. Its when our sins are revealed that it becomes and issue that sometime we hate to deal with =these issues. Sorta like being married and haveing a girl friend in the garage and thinkig it is alright until we get caught.iNo we shouldn't judge the person but simply be a light . As Paul said set them outside of the congregation not that they should perish but that they should learn and be restored back into the body of Christ.
I'm no expert but I don't think that either the old or new testament takes a position on Cos-Play.
He didn't go into bars and try to get sexually involved with anyone (not that he doesn't have that right). He simply put on what amounts to a costume and took some pictures.
Nobody would be up in arms if it was a Frankenstein's monster costume, so why should they get bent out of shape because it was a "woman" costume? What exactly is the big deal?
If dressing up as Frankenstein doesn't mean that he fails to practice his religion, then why should dressing up as a woman?
You can understand the secrecy because many people in his circle don't understand that he was just wearing a costume. It is so unfortunate!
Actually, cross dressing is pleasurable as I have been informed. No one gets hurt. No one gets killed.
Frankenstein’s Bride would work well here. Just a 🤔
People so badly misunderstand sin. How he was treated when he was exposed was the real sin. He was getting by, making do until that point. The church has lost its way.
I didn't cast a stone. I just said he was sick and needed to see a shrink. I just comm e need on his probl e m. That's not casting a stone. Younlove freaks in here always want u o embrace th e sinner and the sin. You condemn the sin and extend reconciliation . But, he couldn't reach out got forgiveness. He judged himself and took his life.
Who are you to say he was sick? It's the mentality of the judgy people that is sick. They are blind to how they tear others down. We are meant to build one another up. "Love one another as we also love ourselves."
But that's just the thing. When we do not love ourselves, it is so difficult to not project that upon those around us. We tear down in the name of the Lord. That is taking up the name of the Lord "for futility". It's misrepresenting Him and calling it love. It's not love. It's fear and bondage.
One of my dearest friends took his life at the age of 50. He never got over the torment he endured at the hands of people who didn't fear who he was, but feared being okay with who he was. He was one of the most loving, caring funny, creative, amazing people I have ever known.
One day, we are all going to have the fog lifted, and we'll see how insane it was to be fussing over these details, picking at one another over these things when it was just all about LOVE.
All the energy wasted on these things, trying to straighten things we thought were crooked, when honestly, if we'd just turned our heads a little this way or that, we would've seen they were just moving differently.
He was sick. The Scriptures are pretty clear that dressing 7n women's clothes is abnormal because of sin. Yell at St. Paul and Jesus Christ.
There was no sin. Just sinful people trying to show what they believe is a sin onto an innocent man who was not hurting anyone just like you were doing.
were you in his congregation? Men wearing womens clothing is not a sickness.
"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5).
Keith, a man died in a terrible way for terrible reasons, show some freakin' love and compassion.
One can't show, what one doesn't have!
And your medical degree comes from what university?
It is people like you that have this human being’s blood on your hands. Your absolute lack of compassion is disgusting.
Keith, I'm a retired "shrink" and there's nothing worse than " armchair therapists" like you who believe you know what is an illness and what isn't. Hate to break it to you ,but cross dressing is not sick, nor are same sex relationships sick. It's people who claim to be good Christians who bash others and try to force their twisted theological ideologies on everyone else. In 40 years of practice I have found that men who scream the loudest about the sexual orientation of others, claiming it's a sin or sick are usually hiding a secret about their sexual identities and live in a closet in fear. Besides why do you care about men who you don't know and how do they affect your life?
You practice such it is a sin. Pure and simple.
Whether or not it's a sin is besides the point. This man was a human being who wasn't hurting anyone, he served his community and helped others. So he liked wearing womens clothing, big **** deal. He wasn't committing any crimes. He deserved to live his life as he saw fit. People have the the audacity to compare being gay or trans as something deviant like beastiality or pedophilia. Those are criminal acts, cross dressing is not. The ***hat who exposed him had no right to do this and I hope he suffers with guilt and shame til his dying day. Christian extremists are the worst kind of Christians there are and I am a Christian myself. I am not the moral police nor is it my job to condemn or persecute others for personal choices. My job is to love them and pray for those who suffer.
We are not to judge !! This social media killed him !! Rip
I accidentally liked Keith's comment. I meant to like Anisahoni's.
Tracy, you will answer for it dearly on Judgment Day. You will be reconstituted from dust and sent somewhere to suffer your punishment.
Catherine,
Everything you said is society based or opinion based. We all know cross dressing is fun for some. So is theft. In England they've got social events for cross dressing, it's a hoot for them. I'm a fairly new Christian and a somewhat old guy. In my pre-christian youth I've had a few gay dudes show interest, I was very polite outwardly always when I declined.
No shaming or rudeness at all. No screaming or shouting. Same as if I turned a woman away. Emotions are fragile and I'm sensitive to that. Inwardly I cant think of a more cringeworthy event for me. It makes my skin crawl to think of it. I catch myself recoiling from my own thoughts. That's was my pre Christian opinion and it's still my current opinion. Cross dressing is putting a toe in the pool in my opinion. In my opinion it's not normal and not wise. My opinion. I feel it shows underlying mental issues. My opinion.
If you're going to preach the word of God, you're going to preach God's opinion. Not your own, not society's, not a shrinks, not a politicians and not a university's opinion. God's opinion. If a preacher can't stop drinking alcohol, fornicating, cross dressing, shooting heroin and so on, he should step away. There's a ton of preachers that need to step away by the way. A ton. That's not my opinion, that's the Bibles opinion. God's opinion.
This man should have stepped away, he could have. We've got transvestite government officials all over the place, he would have been accepted. Because he killed himself, which is tragic and heartbreaking, it shows he did have mental instability.
If this preacher were a hard lined conservative that did the same, members here would have cheered for more. I've seen it.
No, not my opinion, it's medical knowledge. Your mansplaining ignores the fact that this man did nothing harmful to anyone and cross dressers do derive pleasurable feelings when wearing women's clothing. Of course you wouldn't know that which is obvious because you equate cross dressing with homosexuality.
Mansplaining? Sounds like Woke Hive Mind Speak to me. It was once a medical fact that injecting Mercury into the human bloodstream cured ailments. Deal with it. The profession of the mind changes daily no matter what you think or say.
I give two craps if a brother wants to tag on a chicks panties. Two craps. Two C. R. A. P. S.
You preach the word of God, you're clean or you step away. That's it lady.
Surly you don't think a professor of math would teach 1+5=69 and come off clean do you? I love the number 69. I was born in 69. I want all math to = 69 but it don't.
Deal.
Mansplaining: the explanation of something by a man, typically to a woman, in a manner regarded as condescending or patronizing. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180727-mansplaining-explained-in-one-chart
Triggered much? Woke? Just another misogynist. Your words have no power with me, so can it please.
Are you the judge, jury and executioner? Judge least ye be judged. Go read your bible some more dude and stop cherry picking what you believe in. Maybe you should go see a shrink. You seem to be a "typical" Christian. No wonder people here and other places have a disdain for Christianity and that would include me.
Because the end is more important than the now. Eternity is for how long. If you are to be a light then some things can't be left alone, for the benefit of those envolved. See how many times God sent messengers to warn people.
If that were true then why was it Jesus taught to take care of each other? That message didn't include shaming people for being different than themselves. His most basic message was to feed the hungry, heal the sick and help the poor. Nowhere did he tell people to judge and harass others for any reason. This is where the churches and the people in them have been going so very wrong for so long.
He said to repent of your sins, and to believe. I think you missed part of his mission. Exposure is important. He surely exposed the the Pharisees as hypocrites. It seems like those who do not know the gospels preach a gospel Christ didn't preach.
That is on the money Keith. I've been biblically lectured by atheists that don't believe in the Bible at a staggering rate. Did not Jesus say to knock the dust from your shoes against a community that rejected him? That is diametrically opposed to accepting all no matter what, which the antichrist atheist preaches endlessly with vigor.