By Bishop Durrell Watkins, D.Min.

Question: What would you do if I could persuade you there is no God?

Knowing that religion has often been antagonistic toward Queer people, it’s a fair question. Here is my answer:

I would still gather regularly with others trying to become better versions of themselves (church).
I would still be grateful for every good thing (prayer).
I would still love (experience supreme goodness).
I would still honor those who love fiercely (communion of saints).
I would still revere those who work for justice and who “comfort the challenged and challenge the comfortable” (the prophets).
I would still appreciate the arts and celebration and the healing they offer (worship).
I would still imagine the essence of my being to be indestructible (heaven).
I would still regret the times I caused unnecessary pain (penance).
I would still cherish moments deeply shared with others (communion).
I would still wish for people to overcome hardships and heal from heartache (intercession).
I would still marvel at wonders in life (praise).
I would still be humbled by all I can’t understand (reverence).
I would still try to remember that we are interconnected and interdependent (The Realm of heaven is at hand).

I suppose my spiritual life wouldn’t be much altered. Therefore, God could remain my symbol of hope and healing, the symbol of unity and compassion, and would be then very real to me. ‘Yes Virginia, there is a God.’
Thanks be to God. Amen.

Durrell Watkins is the Senior Minister of Fort Lauderdale’s Sunshine Cathedral.