By Patriot Academy Alumnus Helen Bricker
An event took place last year at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C. of some importance to society. It was the interment of the ashes of Matthew Shepard, 20 years after his very tragic murder.
Now, aside from the horribleness of the murder and his untimely death, a lot needs to be explained about what happened.
Matthew Shepard has long been upheld and idolized as the first tragic event in the long line of abuses against homosexuals. His death was unquestionably horrible and tragic. However, we must use wisdom in understanding the actual motives behind his murder.
According to a journalist named Stephen Jimenez, author of “The Book of Matt: Hidden Truths About the Murder of Matthew Shepard”, who spent 13 years investigating the murder and interviewing hundreds of people related to it, found information that pointed to Matthew being a drug addict. Apparently, he had involvement in the crystal methamphetamine drug problem going on in Denver at the time.
Other sad findings point to him also being used as a prostitute. Even more tragic because he was at one time a grade A student.(1)(2) Apparently, one of his murderers was someone that he knew, a man named Aaron McKinney. There is apparent evidence of sexual relations with this young man before the tragedy as well.(3)
All this information leads to the realization that the men who killed him were not just “white men” who wanted to kill him because he was gay. Rather, they were men who knew him and had been involved with him on drug runs and past alleged sexual relationships.(4)(5)
There is compelling proof that this was the case, and if true, it destroys the narrative of it being just a hate crime against gays.
Aside from all of that, a big concern is the fact that he is interred at Washington National Cathedral.
This young man was supposedly raised Christian, but by all indications, walked away from his faith. He, like us all at one point or another, made some bad choices. However, his, sadly, led him to even worse decisions.
But this young man being laid to rest at our National Cathedral smacks of the event being used as only a means to further exemplify it as a “hate crime”, when if these facts are true, the Church is being used in a way the Church should not be used.
Now on to the service.
The service was led by Gene Robinson who is a Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of New Hampshire, and the first openly gay ordained Bishop. His speech encompassed things such as “welcoming gays in the church” and “how some churches stand against them [LGBTQ people] but others [Churches] have walked with the LGBT and want to welcome them.”
He said “Many of you have been hurt by your own religious communities, and I want to welcome you back”.(6) He also said “it’s the Cathedral saying some churches are different, some churches have been on this journey with you, and we will not only welcome you, we will celebrate you”.(7)
Now last I checked, that is not the purpose of the Church.
This is where the concern with the whole thing starts. Sadly, we can’t be surprised by his death being used as a sledge hammer to further push agendas and reforms by the left. Nor should we be surprised at how much the author of “The Book of Matt”, Stephen Jimenez (who, might I add claims to be a “homosexual”), apparently has received verbal abuse from the Left because he was merely following facts instead of feelings.
Also not surprising is the fact that the Left is using this whole thing as just another part of their false narrative of being “open” and “tolerant” towards everyone when we know it is only tolerance to their side.
The sadness of it all is that the Church, which is supposed to be the bastion for Christ, His body and a safe place for His followers, has in many places turned into a spineless, indoctrinated, broken place.
Now do not get me wrong, I know all Churches are not like this. But some huge Church sects have turned willingly to openly supporting “gay marriage” and transgenderism.
The Church is being blatantly attacked, as it always has been, by the devil.
Gay marriage, regardless of opinions, is scripturally sinful.
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” Lev. 18:22
“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination” Lev. 20:13
“Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality….inherit the kingdom of Heaven” 1 Cor. 6:9–11
“For this reason God gave them up to their dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature” Rom 1:26–27
All this is proof. But sadly, society does not want proof, or truth.
Which is why the Church is supposed to remain firm and grounded. If not, we will be punished by God. We will be held to account for our behavior.
If a man is willingly cheating on his wife, and the Church knew, would they be okay with it? Should they? Most people would say no. It is unbiblical and it is wrong. Homosexuality is the same.
We will all suffer and carry burdens, some people’s will be adultery, some will be fornication, some will be homosexuality, some will be transgenderism, some will be pornography, but we all struggle. I am not denying the feeling, burden or anything like that. But it is all sin.
Do not misunderstand me, we are all sinners. No person that is entombed at Washington National Cathedral is not. But there is a difference in being a sinner and fighting against it, compared to being a sinner, and living willingly in the sin and also, might I add, committing illegal acts such as Matthew Shepard is alleged to have committed.
Not only is this shameful of the Church, it is wrong. The Church should be fighting the flow of complacency and tolerance. Jesus taught us to LOVE but be fighters for our faith. All of us as Christians will be judged, and no one will be found innocent unless washed of their sins by accepting Christ as their Savior, and turning from sin, whatever the type of burden it might be.
Willingly allowing this sort of behavior in the Church is a sin, and the Church should and will be held accountable.
“Woe to you who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” Isaiah 5:20
May the Lord help us all to stay humble, loving and strong. To fight the good fight for our faith in the face of all that stands against it. To always beseech the Lord for His guidance in these turbulent times.
—————————————
References:
1: (Bindel, Julie “The Truth Behind America’s Most Famous Gay-hate murder” The Guardian 26th October 2014, https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/26/the-truth-behind-americas-most-famous-gay-hate-murder-matthew-shepard)
2: (https://stephenjimenez.net)
- (Bindel, Julie “The Truth Behind America’s Most Famous Gay-Hate murder”, the Guardian)
4: (Abadsidis, Savas, “Matthew Shepard and HIV: A Complicated Legacy”, 12th October 2018, https://www.HIVPlusmag.com)
5: (Monroe, Irene “The Matthew Shepard Murder Revisited” 27th October, 2017, Huffpost, https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_59f3f077e4b06ae9067ab8d3/amp)
6: (Burton, Tara Isabella “Welcome home, Matt”: Bishop Robinson welcomes Matthew Shepard-and Gay Christians-back to the Church” 26th October 2018, Vox, https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2018/10/26/18027342/matthew-shepherd-gene-robinson-interring-lgbtq-christians)
7: (Burton, Tara Isabella “Welcome Home, Matt”: Bishop Robinson welcomes Matthew Shepard-and Gay Christians-back to the Church)
