The topic of homosexuality has been one that I haven't previously been eager to discuss. With the movie itself, it tells the story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. The film does it in a way that really makes it easy to relate to the characters' plight. It doesn't give some ridiculous caricature of gays like The Producers. But, of course, it's going to take the subject matter seriously. I guess that this film made it very clear to me that no matter what your views are, you should have the right to express them. Personally, I can't say that I entirely understand the reasoning or attraction that would draw someone to be attracted to another member of their sex. That's really not the point through. The point is, it's not my place to pass judgment on someone who doesn't believe as I do. I believe that love is the constant that should govern our lives, not fear or hatred. And that goes for those with whom we don't agree. It is my understanding that Harvey Milk would have welcomed anyone into his neighborhood and fought for the rights of all. For those of us who claim to have to love of Christ ruling our lives, how dare we do any less.
I don't mean any personal offense, but I do disagree with parts of this blog.
ReplyDeleteFor starters, there are two different kinds of judgement: one kind that condemns and yells hellfire of people, and another that identifies right from wrong. I strongly believe Christians should avoid the first but do the latter.
Secondly, when it comes to homosexuality, whether it's right or wrong has nothing to do with your standards or my standards or our parents standards. Instead, it has everything to do with God's standards, and He has made it clear that homosexuality is a sin. It matters nothing that a person does something I disagree with, but it matters a lot when that person is sinning against God.
That's why I always get a little offended when I hear the debate on homosexuality framed only as an issue of "tolerance" or "love." Especially when Christians talk about it in just those terms and seem to forget that God has declared homosexuality a sin. We also forget how Christians appear to homosexuals. You see, they don't just hate Christians for being overly judgmental and hateful towards them, the very idea that we think their lifestyle is wrong ticks them off. Even if we were to say, as I believe, that "You guys mean far too much to God to be degrading yourselves in such a disgusting way," the leaders of the homosexual movement would still label us as intolerant. Because if there's one thing that's destroying America today, it's that "me first attitude." We want to do what we want to do and we want no one to say it's wrong. And if there's a God, He must agree with us and have no contrary opinions. That's how almost everyone, even many Christians treat God, including homosexuals.
I don't think being gay is wrong because of my personal beliefs. My personal beliefs are that being gay is like eating your own nose stuff. It's a revolting habit and something I would never do. But I know that there are people who may have that habit, so I'm like, "I can't control your life so whatever. Just don't do it around me." The reason I say homosexuality is wrong is because the God of the universe says it's wrong and as a Christian, I'm obligated to obey Him. (Note: I don't begrudge God for any of His rules.)
I do, however, agree that we should try to minister to homosexuals. I mean, we minister to people in jail for murder and for women who've murdered their own babies through abortion, so why not gays? What I think is wrong is when Christians try to prove to gays that they can be "tolerant" and "loving" too. Is it really loving if we play the "I'm okay, you're okay" game with a drug-addict? I think Christians should take the more complex route and try to help point gays towards God and away from their sin. In a loving manner of course. But if we think we're being good Christians by playing the "I'm okay, you're okay" game with people and thus letting them die in their sins, well, I'd say that's a wasted effort. Are we helping gays more by pointing them to a God how wants them to give up their sin, or when we just act like God doesn't care what they do?
Again, I mean no offense to anyone.