There was a time in this country when people could hold
differing ideas and merely disagree without being called names. There was a time when the marketplace of
ideas bubbled with vibrancy and excitement; many ideas were allowed at the table.
That time is gone. We are living
in a culture that tolerates ideas and thoughts, so long as they fit into a
politically correct framework. My aim
here is not to expose some grand conspiracy or even change minds on the issues
of homosexuality or gay marriage. My
goal is not even to give a full biblical account on homosexuality. It is humbler,
simpler, less audacious and grand. My
goal is merely to demonstrate that not everyone who disagrees with the homosexual
agenda is bigoted, hate-filled and mean-spirited.
I will lay all my cards on the table. I am a Christian. I believe the Bible to be authoritative,
true, clear, infallible and sufficient for life and godliness. Again, my goal here isn’t to prove or even to
defend this. I will say this, the bible
teaches that ALL have sinned and are separated from God, under his judgment and
doomed to eternity separated from Him.
The bible teaches that the only way to remedy this situation is to
believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died in my place. It teaches that I am united to Jesus by faith
and am reconciled to God. This is true
whether one identifies as homosexual or not.
ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This is the foundation and cornerstone of my
belief system.
Some may ask, why homosexuality? Why are Christians so up in arms over this? Again the bible clearly teaches that
homosexuality is a sin. I will simply
list a few passages that show this.
Or do you not know that
the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who
practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10
ESV)
Romans 1 is a remarkable
chapter that leaves everyone without excuse before God. Here is a small section:
For this reason God gave
them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations
for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural
relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men
committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty
for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave
them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
(Romans 1:26-28 ESV)
So again, what is the
big deal? Why don’t we hear about Christians “hating” drunkards or greedy
people? The issue is not one of hate or
bigotry. The issue is that homosexuality
is banging on the door of the church demanding to be let in and upheld as
normal…demanding to make the church redefine sin. The last time I checked, there was not a
movement of adulterers or drunkards doing this.
I understand that we live in an increasingly secular world. I get it.
But this is why homosexuality is an issue. I will say again, the goal here is not
necessarily to change minds concerning the issue. Finding “The Answer” is not in the scope of
this essay. Certainly, there exists in
this world bigots, and people filled with fear and hate toward
homosexuals. Christians who believe and
understand the bible as objective truth do not fall into this camp simply
because they believe the bible. They
merely have a differing view and opinion based on a different authority.
Calling someone who disagrees with
homosexuality a bigot is along the same order as calling someone who disagrees
with the policies of the president a racist.
It is intellectually dishonest and is not helpful to the
discussion. It only serves to
marginalize the one who disagrees and dismiss them as irrelevant and backwards. This is not enlightenment. When someone who holds to biblical beliefs
concerning the issue is effectively disallowed from running from public office1,
aren’t we doing to one group the very thing we accuse them of doing? When a sportscaster is fired from his job
after one day for expressing his beliefs on this issue two years prior, there
is a problem 2. This issue IS
a big deal. Who are the ones filled with
hate? Biblical Christians are not
bigoted for believing and expressing what they believe. In fact I sincerely know not one Christian
who hates or bashes homosexuals in any way.
We are all sinners in need of the grace of God. My hope is that this might be a small voice
of reason in an otherwise chaotic landscape.
Lobbing irrational bombs across the aisle with accusations of hate and
bigotry is not the answer and only marginalizes and undermines those with other
beliefs. Can rational, intelligent,
grace filled discussions exist, or are we doomed to a future of Orwellian
political correctness? My hope is for the
former.
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2.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/sep/24/craig-james-fires-legal-team-over-religious-firing/
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