Every American knows that we’re all created equal. In elementary school, we’re taught about the Declaration of Independence. I mention it here because that historic document was a message for King George III, and it articulates equality for the first time. It even says “all men are created equal.”

Learning about that document in school, was and is important. Equality was the guiding principle of our forefathers, who founded our great nation. That’s why this principle is engraved on our soul. If you believe in equality, you will not judge others. You will not judge anyone due to their looks, skin color, or ethnicity. You won’t discriminate against any individual for their religious beliefs, or who they love. That’s equality. “We are all created equal.” Right? Wrong!

Knowing that, and looking back at our history, it’s pretty clear that equal rights are still a “principle.” It’s not reality. For over two hundred and fifty years, minorities have been struggling for equality. They have fought, clawed, protested, yelled, and died for these rights. Many of us are still fighting for it today.

I’ve always had a hard time understanding why anyone would be against it. I think it should be an easy sell, but we know it’s not. For over two hundred and fifty years, opponents of equal rights have used the same tired spin. They use religion, and cite the same book, to justify discrimination, animus and bigotry.

People fighting the abolition of slavery would cite this book to defend their racist point of view. “You may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you.” (Leviticus 25:44–46 )

The chauvinists opposed to women’s suffrage and the right to vote, would quote verses about women found in the same book. “ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22–24)

For the last two hundred and fifty years, our courts have been doing a pretty good job. They’ve been rightfully protecting our public schools and institutions from religious dogma.

Opponents of equality are huge proponents of “the good book.” We’ve all heard their venomous propaganda and hateful tall tales. Who are the targets of their hate today? Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender (LGBT) men and women.

Millions of people justify their malice because of what they’ve heard in the name of religion. Popes and prelates, priests and pastors, all claim that “the good book” is right. They’re convinced that gay people are going to hell.

“Gays are sinful and they can change,” some say. God doesn’t approve of “homosexual behavior,” declare others. Really? Is that really what “the good book” says?

We know that this book tells us that God created us “in his own image.” We also know that “the good book” book commands everyone to “love thy neighbor.” Yet the rhetoric emanating from these holy mouths isn’t love at all.

I will never criticize anyone’s devotion to religion. I will criticize ignorance, and I’m highly critical of incorrect interpretations of scripture. I’m downright dogmatic about identifying hyperbole, and holding hypocrites accountable.

Peter can’t swear to live by “the good book,” and have the “all you can eat shrimp” special at his local Red Lobster. Sheila can’t wear a polyester blouse with cotton capri pants when she is shopping at the mall. According to “the good book,” both scenarios are abominations and unholy! Did you hear that in Sunday school?

Wholesale condemnation of the LGBT community is not holy either. God preferred to hang out with vagrants and prostitutes. Do you believe that his posse had no gays? Be real! Somebody had to do the wardrobe and make up! God would never have embraced the ill-treatment and shade that religions direct toward the gays.

Our society should be inclusive not exclusive. We should celebrate and embrace our differences, not vilify and defame people for them.

Too many misguided politicians and religious leaders rely on “the good book” for cover. I can see right through them, because “the good book” doesn’t hide the hatred in their hearts. I equate these hateful politicians and religious folks with Islamic terrorists. Their weapons and tactics are different, but their aims to proselytize and subjugate are just the same.

Whether “Christians” choose to love their neighbors really doesn’t matter. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender men and women aren’t going anywhere. We’re here to stay, and that “love the sinner and hate the sin” bullshit doesn’t cut it either. If God didn’t want us around, we wouldn’t be here.

We live in the United States, and no one gets to force their religion on someone else. That’s the law of the land and what our founding fathers wanted. No one’s entitled to a right that doesn’t belong to all citizens, and that’s the law too.

The central premise of the Christian argument to deny LGBT people equal rights is that God will get pissed off. Get me the smelling salts! We don’t want to piss God off. If God gets pissed off, he might wreak havoc upon us all! Should we build a bunker? Maybe an ark?

Let’s break this down. We know that LGBT people exist. We don’t know if GOD exists. There’s no absolute proof or incontrovertible evidence that supports the existence of God. Regardless, many Christians think we should deny gay people equal rights, because it MIGHT piss God off.

If God does exists, he is the one and only arbiter and final judge. The people claiming to know what God thinks, have no standing whatsoever to judge.

In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who sin against us. If equality or gay marriage is a sin, I’m pretty confident that in the end, God will forgive us for it. If we do piss him off, we can always repent. Isn’t that what contrition is all about?

It’s ridiculous and foolish to deny people equal rights due to one’s fears. It’s almost insane.

I’m not scared either way. I think now is the time, and the risk is worth the rewards. Let’s piss off God! If that’s what it takes to get equality — let’s do it.

I hope that you’ll join me in condemning hate and embracing love, because that’s a holy thing to do. Standing up for equality, gay marriage, women’s rights, and civil rights, is not only right, it is Christian.

We have to end racism and racial profiling, because it’s deadly.

Too many good people die every day because of homophobia and transphobia. That must stop!

The attacks on women and their reproductive rights don’t advance our society. The ongoing war on women diminishes us.

Stand up for equality, and gay marriage, and women’s rights, and civil rights. That’s holy and the right thing to do.

If there is a God and we piss him off, it’s going to be OK.

That’s what it says in “the good book,” so why should anyone be afraid?

Let’s piss off God together! #pissoffgod