Warning: this blog post may offend some people. You have been warned.
Well if there's ever a title that will grab attention and make people angry or defensive, it's the one I just used. I'm sure I'll think of more, but for now that one takes the cake. Generally, it's because people go up and arms when the terms "hypocrite", "homophobe", or "homosexual", are used, and even more so when all three are used together.
These terms in particular have been on my mind a lot lately, and I thought I might address them. I'm not lesbian, bi, or transsexual, but I know some people who are, and they are people I love dearly. The issue in particular that I have been thinking on is the unstable relationship between the Christian and LGBT communities. You see, Christianity is a faith that is based on love. Matthew 22:35-40: "One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” And I understand that some parts of the Christian community are not very good at practicing those 5 verses. Of course, no one is perfect, (and any Christian, or any person for that matter, that claims to be perfect is severely misguided,) and I will concede that it is very difficult to love everyone all of the time, that is not an excuse to HATE on people.
In particular, people often bash on the Christian church for hating on the LGBT community. That makes me very sad, because although I don't know any Christians like this, I have heard and seen evidence of such actions, and I am sorry for it. And while I am not denying that there are people who profess to be Christians and then turn around and express hatred to the world, but before I launch into my main point here, I would just like to point out something. I'm a Christian, and many of the people I know would call themselves the same. I know some who are staunch supporters of gay rights and some who are themselves homosexual. I know some who disagree with homosexuality but don't point fingers and judge and hate and spew absolute venom with their words when discussing the subject. There are Christians out there who try to do what Jesus said, and love others. They don't raise their eyebrows in disgust when they're introduced to someone's partner. They are decent, loving people and they exist.
That being said, the garish caricature of the homosexual-hating Christian still exists, and it is that particular viewpoint that I wish to address.
And before I do so, I am going to remain silent on my opinion about homosexuality. Because honestly, whether I support it or not, I want the words I say to make an impact on both those who support it and those who don't. (You know, if anyone reads this at all.) I don't want what I am trying to say here to be over-ridden by my opinion on the matter.
And so, without further adieu: the point. (Here there be many cries of "IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!")
The reason for such hatred from the Christian community in regards to the LGBT community, and vice versa in some cases, is the verse from Leviticus 18:22- "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." The thing that people get hung up on here is the word "abomination". I would guess that there is no one out there that likes to be called an abomination, especially for something that is a part of them. And some Christians can't see past that word, and cry out that homosexuality is a sin and therefore anyone who identifies as such needs to be condemned and hated on and forced to change something that they believe that they cannot change, regardless if they can or not. (Which makes me so angry. I'm sorry, but if you want someone to change something about themselves, what on earth makes you think that anger and hatred and vile behavior will coerce them into changing? People can be so ignorant.) Here's the thing that people fail to realize... (specifically the people claiming to be Christians who are so full of hate,) if homosexuality is a sin, what makes it any worse than your sins? The Bible clearly says in Romans 3:23- "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." That means everyone. Yes, even you, the pompous and self-righteous person carrying the angry sign. Matthew 7:1-5 says “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." If you are a sinner, (which you are, according to Romans 3:23,) than you have no right to judge others for sinning. That would make you a hypocrite. Which you are already if you are not obeying the two greatest commandments as stated by Jesus. (Hint: They have to do with LOVE.)
Everyone falls. Everyone sins. Everyone makes mistakes. We're human. Christians can be tempted to be uppity and self-righteous because of their faith. And I understand that. That happens to many people, Christian or not. But deliberately hating on people? That's hypocrisy. I hate to break it to you, but that is sin, my friends. And if you are so against homosexuality because you believe it is a sin, doesn't that put you in the same boat as them?
I am aware that this is a touchy topic for many, but I am not sorry if this offended you. I am sorry that you feel offended, but for me to be sorry would be to go back on everything I said. I don't believe that hatred is the answer to anyone's problems, and I won't take that back.
Something to think about maybe?
Well if there's ever a title that will grab attention and make people angry or defensive, it's the one I just used. I'm sure I'll think of more, but for now that one takes the cake. Generally, it's because people go up and arms when the terms "hypocrite", "homophobe", or "homosexual", are used, and even more so when all three are used together.
These terms in particular have been on my mind a lot lately, and I thought I might address them. I'm not lesbian, bi, or transsexual, but I know some people who are, and they are people I love dearly. The issue in particular that I have been thinking on is the unstable relationship between the Christian and LGBT communities. You see, Christianity is a faith that is based on love. Matthew 22:35-40: "One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” And I understand that some parts of the Christian community are not very good at practicing those 5 verses. Of course, no one is perfect, (and any Christian, or any person for that matter, that claims to be perfect is severely misguided,) and I will concede that it is very difficult to love everyone all of the time, that is not an excuse to HATE on people.
In particular, people often bash on the Christian church for hating on the LGBT community. That makes me very sad, because although I don't know any Christians like this, I have heard and seen evidence of such actions, and I am sorry for it. And while I am not denying that there are people who profess to be Christians and then turn around and express hatred to the world, but before I launch into my main point here, I would just like to point out something. I'm a Christian, and many of the people I know would call themselves the same. I know some who are staunch supporters of gay rights and some who are themselves homosexual. I know some who disagree with homosexuality but don't point fingers and judge and hate and spew absolute venom with their words when discussing the subject. There are Christians out there who try to do what Jesus said, and love others. They don't raise their eyebrows in disgust when they're introduced to someone's partner. They are decent, loving people and they exist.
That being said, the garish caricature of the homosexual-hating Christian still exists, and it is that particular viewpoint that I wish to address.
And before I do so, I am going to remain silent on my opinion about homosexuality. Because honestly, whether I support it or not, I want the words I say to make an impact on both those who support it and those who don't. (You know, if anyone reads this at all.) I don't want what I am trying to say here to be over-ridden by my opinion on the matter.
And so, without further adieu: the point. (Here there be many cries of "IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!")
The reason for such hatred from the Christian community in regards to the LGBT community, and vice versa in some cases, is the verse from Leviticus 18:22- "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." The thing that people get hung up on here is the word "abomination". I would guess that there is no one out there that likes to be called an abomination, especially for something that is a part of them. And some Christians can't see past that word, and cry out that homosexuality is a sin and therefore anyone who identifies as such needs to be condemned and hated on and forced to change something that they believe that they cannot change, regardless if they can or not. (Which makes me so angry. I'm sorry, but if you want someone to change something about themselves, what on earth makes you think that anger and hatred and vile behavior will coerce them into changing? People can be so ignorant.) Here's the thing that people fail to realize... (specifically the people claiming to be Christians who are so full of hate,) if homosexuality is a sin, what makes it any worse than your sins? The Bible clearly says in Romans 3:23- "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." That means everyone. Yes, even you, the pompous and self-righteous person carrying the angry sign. Matthew 7:1-5 says “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." If you are a sinner, (which you are, according to Romans 3:23,) than you have no right to judge others for sinning. That would make you a hypocrite. Which you are already if you are not obeying the two greatest commandments as stated by Jesus. (Hint: They have to do with LOVE.)
Everyone falls. Everyone sins. Everyone makes mistakes. We're human. Christians can be tempted to be uppity and self-righteous because of their faith. And I understand that. That happens to many people, Christian or not. But deliberately hating on people? That's hypocrisy. I hate to break it to you, but that is sin, my friends. And if you are so against homosexuality because you believe it is a sin, doesn't that put you in the same boat as them?
I am aware that this is a touchy topic for many, but I am not sorry if this offended you. I am sorry that you feel offended, but for me to be sorry would be to go back on everything I said. I don't believe that hatred is the answer to anyone's problems, and I won't take that back.
Something to think about maybe?
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