Deu 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Mat 22:37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
Mat 22:38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
Mat 22:40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
In my opinion, this completely debunks the opinions of those who would "bash" others based on race, religion, or sexuality. Even if God himself (And I don't pretend to know the mind of God) disapproves of certain acts, it has been commanded that we Love him, and our neighbors.
And... To address the issue of an epiphany, here's a site that might explain..
http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/experience_god_directly.html