Dear Dad...

This was the set-up of the above video since deleted. On the stage of an Evangelical conference, Todd Friel reads two letters from fathers to their gay sons who just came out to them. The first letter was the Christian father saying he's sorry to his son, but he never wants to hear from or see him again and to please don't contact him or his mother again. Ending the letter with the gall of saying "God Bless."

The second letter is from a pastor who also says his son is living a life contrary to God and he will never accept it or condone it, but he won't take the step to disown him. Instead, if the son decides to visit the family for the holidays, there are "rules" he needs to follow in the house the father says he must abide by.

This was my response:

So one was a disgusting worthy of Hell letter (1 Tim. 5:8) from the first father and the letter from the second dad is full of conditions and judgment with forcing him to go to church and saying he chose to be gay and it better not rub off on the children with his open displays of affection that he probably won't do out of respect for his dad's religious beliefs.

Both letters are saying "My Way or the Highway" with the first father not even giving his son a chance. Both letters are bad. 

Now what if the parents wanted to visit that same son and he wrote a similar letter to them?:

"Dear mom and dad, I love you. I am the same son you raised and loved. I didn't change with telling you I'm gay dad, YOU did.

I'd like to set some ground rules in my home before you come visit like you did for me in your house.

I don't want you to make my husband Pedro uncomfortable with talking about how you believe. Treat him with the same dignity and respect you treat Cathy's husband. I also expect you to go to a PFLAG meeting we have every Thursday at the community center. The leader of the meeting is an Evangelical pastor with a gay daughter and you guys should talk.

I want to constantly remind you while you're in my house that how you believe is contrary to my own faith in God. I belong to a gay affirming church that gives me love and acceptance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would love it if you and mom went to a service, but no pressure.

I would never cut you off like many do with their Christian parents who won't accept them being gay. Cathy and my brothers have no problem with me, it's only you and mom who do and the reason I don't pick up the phone more often when you guys call. I just don't want to hear all the judging when you aren't talking about my "lifestyle," whatever weird lifestyle you think that is. 

You will always be my dad even if you didn't accept me. I will always love you and you and mom are always in my prayers.

Your loving (I know I'm your favorite) son,

Mark.

P.S. Could you bring some Tommy's chili cheese burgers? We don't have a Tommy's in my state and you know how they're my favorite. Tell mom to pack warm, you know how she gets."