In the midst of the gay marriage debate and the Chick-Fil-a uproar I have been in absolute shock over the responses of my Christian friends in social media. I see many of my friends saying things like "it's not our job to say what sin is" and "as a Christian, I believe in love. It's none of my business what people do." Then I see rebuttals spewing absolute hatred towards the gay community. I'll even admit, I have fallen into the trap as well. As I watch this disaster unfold I have to think that surely Satan is thrilled at what is going on. I don't think he is nearly as energized by the fact that homosexuality is gaining acceptance as he is by the fact that Christians are turning on each other. It is out of my desire to build a bridge between my friends that I write this blog.
The earliest memories I have of homosexuality in pop culture was when Ellen Degenerous "came out" in 1997. As an 11 year-old I remember far less her announcement than I do the reaction by the Christian community. At the forefront of the battle was Jerry Falwell, famously calling her "Ellen Degenerate". There were calls for boycotts of ABC and Ellen show sponsors. I wonder how many of my peers can remember this and the harshness Christians spoke against her and other homosexuals. Could these memories be shaping our view of the matter of same-sex marriage and the church now? What about the young people growing up in the world of Westboro Baptist protest? What happens to the theology of children and teenagers who are raised being told that God loves us all, but then seeing self-professed Christians holding signs that say "God Hates Fags"? (By the way, the Westboro theology is discredited with Romans 5:8)
I am a part of a generation that is acutely aware of the fact that speaking out against sin will throw us in the bin with the Falwells and the Westboro Baptists of the world. I have in one week been called both a "homophobe" and a "pro-gay anti-marriage supporter" due to beliefs I have expressed online. We live in a world that moves too fast to analyze, so we have to be thrown in a group. We know that as soon as we affirm that we believe the act of homosexuality is wrong that we will be called homophobic, evil, judgement people who are full of hate. So, many of my friends take the path of least resistance. They don't want to be seen as unloving, so they chose rather to use faulty theology and neglect scripture. It is a sad quandary they feel they are in.
Then we have those who speak out against sin whenever, wherever, and however they have to in order to get their point across. Let me say clearly, I believe in calling a sin a sin. I believe that the act of homosexuality is a sin, just as lying, gossiping, and stealing are sins. I believe that unforgiven sin takes one to a very real place called hell. I will tell the truth about what the bible says sin is because I don't want anyone to go to hell, because I believe it is more awful than we can imagine. This is my problem with the harshness with which some of my friends speak about this particular sin. If we really love everyone, as we are supposed to, and if we really think hell is as terrible as the bible says, shouldn't we be heartbroken at the idea that anyone would be headed there? Shouldn't we frame our arguments against homosexual lifestyles in the light of the fact that we have love for these men and women as we do all of mankind?
Chances are that if you have read this entry to this point that you have disagreed with at least one of my points, and that's okay. I'm not looking for total agreement on this, I'm looking of civility. I'm looking for Christians to show the world that we have love, and how will anyone believe that we have love for them when we don't even show love and understanding to each other? Remember in all this debate, we are to have love one for another regardless of how we feel the Gospel is to go forth. Don't allow the devil a victory because of us.
"'do not give the devil a foothold'...Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."-Eph 4:27,29-30 NIV
Great post, Lindsey.
ReplyDelete