Eating Our Own: KevinH
For many years now, theologically conservative and traditionally orthodox Christians have been widely called haters, homophobic, bigoted, and all the more by LGBTQ+ supporters.
In some cases, the accusations are incontrovertibly true as the heart conditions of these Christians radiate through truly hurtful and horrible words, actions, and attitudes. In some other cases, it is a little harder to positively tell the accuracy of such accusations as these Christians do and say things that are a bit cringeworthy and or seemingly ignorant, yet when conversing with them, they do seem to have many good or genuine hearts and motives. Yet in many other cases, the accusations are truly false, if not even slanderous, as these Christians do not harbor any hate, phobias, or bigotries, but rather seek to honor God’s teachings in the Bible by both affirming what God calls righteous and unrighteous and also seeking to care for all people and treating them as they would want to be treated themselves.
This reality that a good many Christians are falsely accused many times does not stop LGBTQ+ supporters from continuing to sling mud at all Christians who dare not affirm their beliefs and lifestyles. They have determined that if their values and actions are not accepted by, and worse yet, even actively opposed by others, they can see and know their hearts, and those hearts are filled with fear and hate. They continue to take a scorched earth approach in order to win political and cultural battles and to subjugate others in society to their beliefs, subsequently shaming, cancelling, and ostracizing all those who won’t comply.
Peculiarly and sadly, a good many Christians who have been accused of this hate and bigotry (many falsely so, but likely others to which there is some truth), have stolen the playbook used against them by many LQBTQ+ supporters and over the last several years are putting it into use themselves. In this case, however, they are not primarily using it back against those who have perpetrated its use against them, but rather they have turned to use it on their own.
It has been determined by many Christians that their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ must be fearful, hateful, and bigoted if they do not support, and worse yet, actively oppose Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. The hearts of those who oppose Trump have been judged and they are found to be “deranged”. It does not matter if the things their fellow Christians are saying are factually true. It does not matter if they are fairly representing Donald Trump’s words and actions, comparing them with Scripture, and judiciously calling them wrong. It does not matter if these Christians are not employing or advocating for unrighteous means to “take down Trump”.
In the end, they are deemed to be haters….. bigots….. ignorant….. deluded….. divisive….. gossipers….. slanderers….. fools….. self-righteous….. judgmental….. and above all, deranged.
They are told they are working against God. They are told that they are attacking God’s “anointed”. They are told they are being used by Satan to divide and deceive the church.
When Christians are accused by the LGBTQ+ lobby of being hateful and homophobic, they will often call foul, saying they are only standing for God’s truth and that it’s wrong for others to judge their hearts and motives. Yet, many of these same Christians have gladly adopted the same strategies and attitudes and are now using them against their fellow Christians.
And isn’t it ironic? Don’t you think? (Sorry, the 90’s are calling me home.)
This should not be, and yet it is. But we also know why it’s happening and how to fix it. Which master will you serve?
Partisan politics are poison to the soul.
Jesus is the cure.
I probably have nothing of value to contribute here. I am an LGBTQ advocate, and it came from actually knowing those in the spectrum. I also know, and indeed was a militant advocate at one time. I have softened quite a bit. I get why there is such pushback, especially from Christians.
One point that parallels one of yours. Many, including me, see the militant Christians as a scourge on humanity. We also see it growing. We see the politics becoming the heavier rage coming from Christianity.
“We see the politics becoming the heavier rage coming from Christianity.”
Exactly, Reuben. One of my greatest concerns with so many Christians having become so wrapped up in partisan politics is that they are making Christianity, at least significant segments of it, known more for its politics than about Jesus. And at that, dirty wicked politics that are the complete antithesis of Jesus.
In the case I have written about here, they are even cannibalizing their own in the militant exercise of their politics.
And even as you say you probably have nothing of value to contribute to the discussion, you actually do.
Rueben,
You just gave a meaningful contribution, with your point of view. I am in agreement with your assessment of militant Christians, and with Kevin’s assessment that they have made Christianity seem like it’s more about politics than about the actual words and actions of Jesus.
I have a well known and well loved family member come out as trans a while ago. My beliefs have been challenged, and I have delved into the Gospels more than ever know to hear Jesus’ side of it.
Militancy and faith do not work together for the kingdom.
The thing about the whole LGBTQ issue is that it is actually quite complex. One fact is because biological sex and gender, while closely related are not EXACTLY the same. Simple biology tells you that the presence of a Y chromosome makes one genetically male. However, there are myriad of biological, genetic, physiological, etc. steps to turn that zygote with a Y chromosome into a male newborn and further steps to make a mature male adult. And all of this says nothing about how society, culture, tradition , etc. affects sex and gender roles.
If God was really all that concerned about human sexuality, he’d have done better by making it no more desired or sought after than getting the wheat and barley crop in.
I work with an entire spectrum of sexualities at my secular school: LGBTQ, polyamorous, adulterous, living together, and just sleeping around. And, there are the breakups and divorces. So…I listen and pray for that right word that is appropriate for the situation, especially when I get weird looks from people who ask about my situation. I tell them I am single and unattached because that is what God wants in my faith tradition for the unmarried. Sometimes that leads to a deeper discussion about sex and marriage.
When I read the gospels I notice that Jesus corrected people for their sim (the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery). He didn’t scream at them. He did yell at the Pharisees for their religious hypocrisy. I think as Christians we could take a lesson from Jesus about dealing with folks who are LGBTQ. Also, I don’t think adultery, which is really “popular” in churches right now, even among pastors, will get a pass, either. Sexual sin is sexual sin.
https://www.centerforfaith.com/blog/review-of-the-widening-of-god-s-mercy-by-christopher-b-hays-and-richard-b-hays?fbclid=IwY2xjawFAUU5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeTneMVK0eSX1PR915TQLTQHRJTmjSDYvnLMtxSzV0ILZqyuQ82J_-7QxA_aem_6XIcjQHoRKTxEdnVoLVQxQ
Michael,
I looked at the article…so sad.
Thanks for the link, Michael, I’ll be reading it a few more times…the writer tackles a few of the arguments I’ve heard on the issue.
Kevin, I gotta say, I feel kinda spoiled way up here in Canada, it seems we don’t have nearly the amount of in-your-face political stuff up here. Yes, there are a number of issues here as well, but it seems people don’t get as angry or dug-in ……
I’ll also add that I have little experience with the vitrol in Christian circles that seems prolific in the US. I can’t wrap my mind around behaving that way “in Jesus’ name”…
I’ve been out of church for awhile, don’t have much for options where I am. The church we attended for a number of years has seen some changes that I am struggling with, and there’s no sense of fellowship there.
For the most part, my church is here, and I am grateful for it.
As usual, what is not discussed in society with this topic is as important as what is, and in many ways due to convenience of opportunity, whether political purposes or other.
For example, many from the detransitioned and former gay/bi community get shut out of the discussion and have valuable insight.
The high degree of suicide is also important to acknowledge and allow for discussion.
Finally, my first encounter with this topic was at a small church where two elders warned us about how the “homos” were out to “ruin the family unit.” Within 2 years both elders ruined their marriages as they couldn’t keep their pants zipped around other women….and there wasn’t a “homo” anywhere around.
“” Within 2 years both elders ruined their marriages as they couldn’t keep their pants zipped around other women….and there wasn’t a “homo” anywhere around.”
So what? Everyone is jacked up, not knowing their *$$ from a hole in the ground regarding what it means to follow Christ in all aspects of their life. Even a broken clock (before digital timepieces) is right twice a day. We all pick and choose, and when that doesn’t work, we ignore what the scripture says to satisfy and justify ourselves. Work it out with God when you stand before Him. Some decisions have more severe consequences than others.