At a recent gathering of Executive Directors of LGBT rights organizations, I made a point which I illustrated with a Bible verse. My good friend, the fabulous Kate Kendell (E.D. of the National Center for Lesbian Rights), laughed and said “Well, it wouldn’t be one of these meetings if Kevin Jennings didn’t quote the Bible!” Everyone laughed in agreement.
This led me to think: why do I quote the Bible so much? Until Kate’s comment I had never really realized how often and reflexively I do so. It’s not conscious: it just seems that, whenever I am trying to make a point, a verse often comes to mind that has made it better than I can. So I quote it.
This may be simply evidence of the effectiveness of getting kids while they are young and imprinting ideas on them. Or maybe it is evidence that the Good Book contains great moral teachings which can be used to guide one’s life toward seen of inclusion and compassion (rather than one foe exclusion and judgment, which seems to be the case with so many self-professed “Christians”). I don’t know. But I can tell you that, as my 45th birthday passes (although it was May 8, you can still send gifts!), I suspect that this old dog ain’t gonna learn any new tricks.
I hereby congratulate all of my childhood ministers and Sunday School teachers on their success.