I had an interesting discussion last night. Bear and I were talking to another couple about the non-Christian view of Christians not participating in same-sex weddings. [If you have been under a rock this week, an Indiana pizzeria was asked a hypothetical question about catering a gay wedding, and they declined. Subsequently, the pizzeria's business was slammed and the owners received death threats from bullies. Subsequent to THAT, a GoFundMe page was set up for the pizzeria and collected $842,000 from people who hate bullies.].
Back to the discussion. All four of us are all professing Christians. We all believe that there are behaviors condemned in the bible -- not just homosexual acts, but lying, gossip, stealing, coveting, envy, strife, murder -- and yet we are called to love people. The people who are liars, gossips, covetors, etc. We are called to love homosexuals.
The discussion centered around how Christian small business owners are perceived as unloving because they will serve any person as a customer, but would decline to participate in a same-sex wedding as an event. The closest equivalent might be an African-American baker who sells doughnuts to Klansmen when they come in for coffee, but would decline to cater a KKK rally.
As we talked about all facets of the issue, I had several revelations.
Does every kid get this advantage? No. Does that mean I want to take kids away from their single moms? No. Does that mean I want to force people to get married if they make a baby? No. I have been accused of all these things, but all are absurd and I am a very rational person.
It means that I invest my energy and effort in bringing the TRUTH to people in HOPES that they will apply it appropriately to their behavioral choices. I hope that non-married people will restrain their sexual impulses and choose NOT TO USE people for sex, so they don't make babies who might grow up without a mom and a dad who love them and each other.
I hope that same-sex couples who love each other will acknowledge that a Mom and a Dad bring something essential to parenting that two males or two females cannot, and although it may rob them of the joy of parenting, that they might do what is best for a child.
I hope that unhappily married people will see that divorce always leaves a permanent lasting imprint on children, which they will probably duplicate in their own relationships. I hope it inspires them to do whatever it takes so their marriage becomes a shining example of persevering love.
I hope that pregnant teens will recognize a baby is more than an accessory, and choose to place that tiny defenseless human being with a mom and a dad who can love him/her and each other.
Do I want to FORCE people to do the right thing? No. Do I want them to be jailed or fined or unable to get a job because don't do the best thing? No. I really don't.
I would rather people, of their own free will, learned the truth and made their own behavioral choices because that would give them DIGNITY. Failure doesn't steal your dignity. Ignorance doesn't steal your dignity, either. Choosing to believe a lie because it comports with what you want, all the while causing pain and distress for others is undignified.
The discussion centered around how Christian small business owners are perceived as unloving because they will serve any person as a customer, but would decline to participate in a same-sex wedding as an event. The closest equivalent might be an African-American baker who sells doughnuts to Klansmen when they come in for coffee, but would decline to cater a KKK rally.
As we talked about all facets of the issue, I had several revelations.
- First, Christians are really BAD at explaining their stance on almost any position related to homosexuality.
- Second, because Christians rarely interact with non-believers, they are shocked to discover outsiders believe Christians are bigots, haters, homophobes, etc.
- Third, I have probably confronted more cohabitors who call themselves Christians than anyone I know.
- And fourth, there are NO verses on same-sex marriage in the bible... there aren't any on cohabiting either but I still know that is "unbiblical" -- as in violates a principle of higher standards in human behavior.
Does every kid get this advantage? No. Does that mean I want to take kids away from their single moms? No. Does that mean I want to force people to get married if they make a baby? No. I have been accused of all these things, but all are absurd and I am a very rational person.
It means that I invest my energy and effort in bringing the TRUTH to people in HOPES that they will apply it appropriately to their behavioral choices. I hope that non-married people will restrain their sexual impulses and choose NOT TO USE people for sex, so they don't make babies who might grow up without a mom and a dad who love them and each other.
I hope that same-sex couples who love each other will acknowledge that a Mom and a Dad bring something essential to parenting that two males or two females cannot, and although it may rob them of the joy of parenting, that they might do what is best for a child.
I hope that unhappily married people will see that divorce always leaves a permanent lasting imprint on children, which they will probably duplicate in their own relationships. I hope it inspires them to do whatever it takes so their marriage becomes a shining example of persevering love.
I hope that pregnant teens will recognize a baby is more than an accessory, and choose to place that tiny defenseless human being with a mom and a dad who can love him/her and each other.
Do I want to FORCE people to do the right thing? No. Do I want them to be jailed or fined or unable to get a job because don't do the best thing? No. I really don't.
I would rather people, of their own free will, learned the truth and made their own behavioral choices because that would give them DIGNITY. Failure doesn't steal your dignity. Ignorance doesn't steal your dignity, either. Choosing to believe a lie because it comports with what you want, all the while causing pain and distress for others is undignified.
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