Monday, April 29, 2013

ATTENTION-GRABBING TITLE

Let me preface by saying this is not meant to be a doctoral thesis on the issue, only a few thoughts. Let me also say that these are meant to be from as neutral of a perspective as possible, just trying to help people see both sides of a thing.

There was a big story published in Sports Illustrated and on ESPN's front webpage about Jason Collins, current NBA player, "coming out" as gay. My observations:

1. Homosexuality will never be accepted until they stop making a big story about it every time they discover another gay person.

2. Why be so condemning of homosexuality when you persist in your own sin? Lying is a sin too. So is gossip. Yet we often misrepresent (i.e. lie about) people's words and talk unlovingly behind someone's back about their sin of homosexuality. Sin condemning sin does not work.

3. Let's see if this can make sense. I don't see why homosexuality can't be part of who a person is, but it is also a choice. Let me put it this way. I was born with a preference/inclination to being a lying and sarcastic person, but each time I speak this way, it is a choice. That doesn't make me any less right or wrong. I think homosexual tendencies can be just as much "personality" as anger tendencies.

4. It seems like pretty soon it'll be straight people having to "come out." It seems like people saying "you should tolerate all views" aren't tolerating the views that oppose them. And disagreement does not equal hate. I have firms convictions against being a Michigan fan, but by no means do I hate my friend Joel (although I do feel bad for his suffering over many recent years of football irrelevance). But this doesn't mean I can say whatever I want and then throw on the phrase "but I really love you, but hate your sin." Also remember we are to speak the truth in love.

5. If you ask a person a direct question about what he/she believes, don't attack them for giving an answer that disagrees with you. Common sense.

6. If I were an employer at a company, I don't think sexuality should even be a question with regards to employment (same for professional athletes). A business can stand for principles, but it is not a church. When speaking in a strictly business atmosphere, the questions should be all about how the person performs a job, not whether he/she likes boys or girls. Actually I would think it would be a great chance to show someone Christ's love.

7. When Christians see a person, aren't they supposed to see a soul? Why then are we so concerned with someone's sexuality? Our first concern is to be evangelizing lost people. The Gospel doesn't say "be a straight man, and ye shall be saved." But we attack a symptom. While people must see sin for what it is, I'm concerned we make such a big deal over homosexuality that people see Christianity as "that religion where you have to be straight" when they should see a group characterized by love for each other and devotion to God. I don't want someone's first thought to be when they see me "oh look, there's a straight guy" because I'm so much more than that. So why do so many people say "oh, I wonder if that person is a homosexual or not"? That is not the first problem. If they are A) human they are B) a sinner that C) needs Jesus. That simple.

So... there are just a few thoughts. Incomplete thoughts at that. I'll probably think of something later that I wanted to say, but I need to get back to studying for exams.

-RST

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