Sure, Jesus's teachings are awesome! It's just that most Christians are thoroughly despicable. Meeting a Christian who doesn't stand for hating and persecuting strangers and members of minorities is pretty darn rare. As an openly gay man, when I meet a person who openly identifies as a Christian, the first thing I feel is fear - rational, well grounded fear. Because most Christians are hateful and awful to people like me. Just look at the mainline United Methodists. About a third of their congregations are voting to leave because they can't stand the thought of associating with other congregations that affirm queer people. How twisted is that?

That makes me tremble with fear. It fills me with despair to realize that so many Christians hate me that much. I'm shuddering just typing this.

I totally realize a small minority of Christians are decent people. But I totally know that most of them are hateful monsters -- like those departing United Methodists.