Dr. Kim O'Reilly Reading and Signing: We Love You, But You're Going to Hell
Join us in welcoming former UNR professor Dr. Kim O'Reilly as she shares her new book, We Love You, But You're Going to Hell: Christians and Homosexuality Agree, Disagree, Take a Look.
We Love You, But You’re Going to Hell – expressed sincerely by conservative Christians, experienced painfully by gays and lesbians. Christianity and homosexuality are topics often not paired and seen as too taboo to discuss. The book grapples with this dilemma by addressing Scriptures, sexual orientation, stereotypes, Church beliefs, gay marriage, and religious freedom. Finals chapters, “Why It Matters and What Can We Do?” look at real lives and loving solutions.
The book title is not meant to be provocative, but to reflect honestly what so many gays and lesbians have heard from their Christian families and friends. Deeply-held, deeply-rooted beliefs around integrity and being true to oneself as a homosexual vs. deeply-held, deeply rooted beliefs around homosexuality as a sin. It is possible to honor the rights of each of these groups without denying the rights of the other. The book opens up dialogue and offers strategies to develop understanding, compassion, and healing.
As a Christian, and the daughter of a conservative evangelical minister, Dr. O’Reilly is uniquely positioned to write this book. “A deep love between my father and I – the paradox: he loved and respected me, but didn’t approve of ‘my homosexuality’ and feared that I was going to Hell. Walking and talking through that is what brought me to write the book. Many gays and lesbians find themselves in a similar situation, but unfortunately, haven’t experienced that love or degree of acceptance from their parents or other family members.”
Many Church leaders and evangelists have characterized gays as evil, sinful, perverted, molesters, or recruiters. All are stereotypes no one would want to be on the receiving end of – all are polarizing labels. Labels that harm, that dehumanize, and point to a group of people as less than. Case-in-point as to why we need to move away from damaging Us versus Them rhetoric and behavior.
Dr. Kim O’Reilly respectfully handles the topic of Christians and homosexuality – non-confrontationally and without pointing fingers. She is an expert in the field of cross-cultural understanding and communication. Her consulting and training firm Intercultural Solutions prepares businesses, churches, and schools with knowledge and strategies to address cultural differences. For more information about her book and services, visit her website at www.interculturalsolutions.net.
