Grace and Politics
I've been pretty disturbed today. On countless fronts. I could try to remain as ambiguous as possible on my beliefs regarding ammendment one because I know what happens when you try to voice an opinion these days. There is a class of people out there who are ignorant of most things...they exist on both sides of the argument, and no matter how elloquently I convey my opinions, the moment you figure out which side I'm on, I will then be classified as an over zealous christian or a bleeding heart liberal.
I fit neither, quite frankly.
Honestly, that information is not what this post is about.
Really I'm just disappointed in most of you. Most of the people who posted on the subject today posted like bastards. If you feel like your post was validated, cool, you can imagine that you are a part of the some that didnt offend me. Regardless, I just want to express a few things to all of you.
1. Judging others for judging you is judgment too. In order to recieve tolerance, you must first give it. If you want to be understood, you must first seek to understand. Whether youre gay, straight and unmarried, or a conservative christian trying to protect the sanctity of marriage, you need to learn how to understand oppositional perspective. You need to listen...and take it in. ALL of you.
2. No one responds well to being called ignorant or sinful. Use these words only in discussing yourself. Never ever throw these words at another person. It is irresponsible and shuts people down to hear a single word you say.
3. To my gay friends: you know good and well that not all Christians hate you and want you to suffer. Do NOT blanket condemn every member of a major world religion because some people have mistreated you. The only ones truly affected by your harsh comments are the people who have been sensitive to your plight for years. They are also your only allies in getting your voice heard amongst those who have mistreated you. If we're honest there are many religions that either disagree with homosexuality or same sex marriage. Be upset. Be scared. Be livid, but be it in the right direction: at the government for deciding that this issue was any of their business. Separation of church and state is necessary, but the government chooses to bring them together by making these things issues. An individual might find it extremely difficult to separate themselves from their individual moral code when in a voting booth. However the government wishes to spin it, this was a moral decision that your government wanted to make for you, the only way our democracy can make decisions is by listening to the opinions of its citizens and that meant asking the moral opinion of a predominately Christian nation. Do not be angry at the answer, be angry that the government is asking the question.
3. To my Christian friends: If you rhyme Eve with Steve one more time I will kick your ass. It is not an argument. It is not a tool to open discussion. It is a ridiculous rhyme created by someone who couldnt think of a better way to communicate complex beliefs. The truth of this whole thing is, we base or notion of the rightness of sexuality on biblical passages that do not go into a great deal of detail as to why its wrong. Additionally, you can't argue wrongness of action using scripture with people who dont see scripture as worth anything. People don't love Jesus because he's great at laws. They love him because he is the master of transformation, redemption and grace. Saying homosexuality is a sin is fine, so treat it that way. Treat it like the brokenness of human spirit. Treat it as something God will work people through. Trust that God will speak to a gay persons heart the same way he speaks to yours about your sin. Let God work in them. Targeting this issue so feverishly eclipses the message of the gospel in the lives of people who need love and acceptance desperately. Don't blow this.
4. To the Government: Welfare, minimum wage, seat belt laws, overtaxing, defining emotional relationships...butt the hell out. Remind yourselves of the forefather's vision of what you should be about. Protect our borders, properly fund real education, protect us from coming to harm at the hands of malicious people, and represent us on the international stage. Let America do what she does: exercise liberty, and pursue happiness.
thats all.
I fit neither, quite frankly.
Honestly, that information is not what this post is about.
Really I'm just disappointed in most of you. Most of the people who posted on the subject today posted like bastards. If you feel like your post was validated, cool, you can imagine that you are a part of the some that didnt offend me. Regardless, I just want to express a few things to all of you.
1. Judging others for judging you is judgment too. In order to recieve tolerance, you must first give it. If you want to be understood, you must first seek to understand. Whether youre gay, straight and unmarried, or a conservative christian trying to protect the sanctity of marriage, you need to learn how to understand oppositional perspective. You need to listen...and take it in. ALL of you.
2. No one responds well to being called ignorant or sinful. Use these words only in discussing yourself. Never ever throw these words at another person. It is irresponsible and shuts people down to hear a single word you say.
3. To my gay friends: you know good and well that not all Christians hate you and want you to suffer. Do NOT blanket condemn every member of a major world religion because some people have mistreated you. The only ones truly affected by your harsh comments are the people who have been sensitive to your plight for years. They are also your only allies in getting your voice heard amongst those who have mistreated you. If we're honest there are many religions that either disagree with homosexuality or same sex marriage. Be upset. Be scared. Be livid, but be it in the right direction: at the government for deciding that this issue was any of their business. Separation of church and state is necessary, but the government chooses to bring them together by making these things issues. An individual might find it extremely difficult to separate themselves from their individual moral code when in a voting booth. However the government wishes to spin it, this was a moral decision that your government wanted to make for you, the only way our democracy can make decisions is by listening to the opinions of its citizens and that meant asking the moral opinion of a predominately Christian nation. Do not be angry at the answer, be angry that the government is asking the question.
3. To my Christian friends: If you rhyme Eve with Steve one more time I will kick your ass. It is not an argument. It is not a tool to open discussion. It is a ridiculous rhyme created by someone who couldnt think of a better way to communicate complex beliefs. The truth of this whole thing is, we base or notion of the rightness of sexuality on biblical passages that do not go into a great deal of detail as to why its wrong. Additionally, you can't argue wrongness of action using scripture with people who dont see scripture as worth anything. People don't love Jesus because he's great at laws. They love him because he is the master of transformation, redemption and grace. Saying homosexuality is a sin is fine, so treat it that way. Treat it like the brokenness of human spirit. Treat it as something God will work people through. Trust that God will speak to a gay persons heart the same way he speaks to yours about your sin. Let God work in them. Targeting this issue so feverishly eclipses the message of the gospel in the lives of people who need love and acceptance desperately. Don't blow this.
4. To the Government: Welfare, minimum wage, seat belt laws, overtaxing, defining emotional relationships...butt the hell out. Remind yourselves of the forefather's vision of what you should be about. Protect our borders, properly fund real education, protect us from coming to harm at the hands of malicious people, and represent us on the international stage. Let America do what she does: exercise liberty, and pursue happiness.
thats all.
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