So I was browsing some sports blogs today and found this picture and a note about the Phillies having a “Gay Day” at the old ballpark. The blogger completely annihilates these two holding the sign, all Christians in general and radical Christians in particular in response to their protest.
At this point you may think I am about to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ and their right to free speech. Sorry.
The bashing I want to talk about is not the bashing that we received at the hands of blog hosts and commentors, but the bashing we are constantly giving to people who live differently than we do – in the name of evangelism.
I am not saying that homosexuality is cool with God. I am asking, however, “have you ever seen a homosexual praying to receive Christ with a person holding a ‘God hates fags’ type of sign at a Gay Pride parade?” No. And you never will, either. Everyone is a sinner. Homosexuality falls into the broad category that we call sexual sin, which is made up of everyone having sex outside of marriage. It distances you from God absolutely in the same way a lie, gossip, drunkenness, murder or petty theft does. It is overcome by the same amount of grace that all of these others are. So, what is the purpose of being there and doing that? Who are you trying to convince?
It’s not about convincing anybody of anything. The REAL purpose of this kind of protest is to publicly oppose the gay rights movement and to make sure people know that we disagree. Well, I have news for everyone in the Christian community: They all know.
This kind of stuff make us look stupid. If you don’t believe me, check out what a few lost souls, who are not gay, said in response to this picture. (Warning! Foul language in this link.)
My point here is that opposing gay rights in America is not our mission. Bringing people – all kinds of sinners – into a relationship with God is His mission and if we are his followers, then that is our mission, too. I mean, yeah, I don’t want to promote homosexuality as a “normal” lifestyle for my kids, but abusing gays publicly subverts THE MISSION to the personal comfort zone’s mission. Well, Jesus never promised that I would be comfortable. In fact, and we all know this, we are called to lay down everything for Him.
Quit trying to bend the world to your comfort. Quit trying to control the behavior of people who don’t know God and PLEASE quit expecting them to act as if they care what we want from them. They don’t care what we say because they think that all we want is them to conform to their way of thinking. I wouldn’t want to hear you beat me up for not being like you either.
Just answer me this: “Don’t you think you will have a better opportunity to lead someone to Christ with this sign?”
I know many of you will think I am saying that homosexuality is OK with God, or that my suggestion here will be the practical equivalent of such, so let me say again that I am not saying that to anyone. I will say, though, that even if the homosexual community does mistake this message for such, they already believe that they are alright with God. You won’t be condemning them to hell, I assure you. They already are on that path and their sexuality is just a small part of the whole deal. Besides, isn’t God big enough to make sure they get what you are saying?
Of course, this only makes sense if you are willing to admit that this is not related to evangelism at all, but is social engineering at its core. Are you willing?
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scooter
on Sep 27th, 2005
@ 5:33 pm:
This post has been removed by the author.
Anonymous
on Sep 27th, 2005
@ 5:33 pm:
My Bible teaches that Jesus loves everyone! That statment does not even speak of the differences in persons. Just simply Jesus Loves you! He loves and promisses to save those that believe in him. He did not exclude sinners from that statement. He reserved unto himself to determine who is a sinner or what is a sin. Any person on Earth that attempts to judge any other person is creating the sin that will not be forgiven. Judge not lest you be judged! Humans will not be allowed, ever, to usurp the power of Jesus.
scooter
on Sep 27th, 2005
@ 5:35 pm:
Why must everything be a sin? Because religion is a human construction. It is a tool to control behaviour. I know that isn’t something you will want to hear and will disagree with me strongly, but I firmly believe that to be the truth. The bible was written by humans. Church practice was created by humans. Everything was done by humans. I know that they are the tools or messengers of god and what not, but they remain human.
I agree with you in saying that the chruch should be more welcome to homosexuals and that’s a refreshing viewpoint, but the bottom line remains that you view their actions as a sin. You sit in judgment of them. You sit in judgment of anybody that basically lives an enjoyable life.
I find it ridiculous to think that god will prevent me from entering heaven if I don’t confess to my sin of having pre-marital sex with my girlfriend. (I am a heterosexual guy by the way) Just think about that for a moment. Think about what you are saying. I am judged by god as being a sinner because I had sex. Now thing about this one here. God has the time to care about what I do that injures no one. Does it make more sense that characterizing everything as a sin is more in line with what god wants or with controlling a population through religious teaching. If you tell people that they will go to hell if they act in certain ways they are likely to modify their behaviour?
I know this is a disjointed rant, but the fundamental problem faced by organised religion is that they sit in judgment of people. They could be as welcoming as they want to be to homosexuals or anyone, but if they view them as sinners for being who they are it won’t matter how welcoming anybody is because no one wants to be judged, especially for something they can not control.
theoblogian
on Sep 27th, 2005
@ 5:56 pm:
Hey, Scooter, thanks for what you said. This entry is really targeted at Christians who do come off as judgemental to others. You prove my point to them and your critiques are legitimate.
Just to answer some of the questions you ask…
I don’t think the concept of sin is one that started with mankind. I think it is something that God revealed to us. Why? This is vitally important Because it stood in the way of us, who are sinners, and Him an holy God. Not because He wants us seperate, but because He wants us together. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” In other words, He traded his holines for our sin. Why? Because He loves us. – Here’s to you anonymous! Yes, it’s because He loves us that He points out to us that we are seperated, crosses that chasm and invites us to a relationship with Him. My point here is that homosexuality is no different than anything else that I believe God says is inappropriate. I know you think that mankind made up that rule, but that’s just going to have to be where we disagree.