Enough.
So there was a “Tent Meeting” of sorts held in Lynnwood, Washington this past weekend, characterized in an article found here as an “Anti-Gay” group. The challenge is that this group is indeed, anti-gay, with one of its primary spokesman declaring that homosexuals were, in part, responsible for the holocaust of the Jews in WWII (never mind the reality that homosexuals were herded, with Jews, gypsies, and others, into the gas chambers)! That such a conference occurs at all, and that anyone would attend, is astonishing to me. Such groups gather with the express purpose of seeking to enact legislation that would forbid homosexuals basic human rights, which ironically, embodies the spirit of Der Fuhrer himself with astonishing parallels.
What’s even more disturbing is that this is a ‘christian’ event (I can’t bring myself to use a capital ‘c’). What’s even more astonishing is that several leaders of large churches from the greater Seattle area will be speaking at this conference. These ‘evangelical’ leaders distort not only the meaning of the word Christian, but do a great disservice to many of us who are trying to take the scriptures seriously, because their publicity leads the general populace to presume that a high view of scripture and denying other humans basic rights go hand in hand. This gives Jesus a bad name, causing many people to reject Christ, because the view they’ve received of Him is that He’s a hater, as learned through these conferences.
The reality is that Jesus, whose ethic we seek to make visible through our lives and life together, has elevated loving God, and loving one’s neighbor to elite status among all the ethical commandments, declaring in fact that the fulfillment of these two elements will result in the fulfillment of all the law and the prophets. When the religious experts question Jesus regarding ‘who’ exactly their neighbor might be, Jesus tells a story about a man who these experts would view as a heretic, but who nonetheless went out of his way to love the outcast, the downtrodden, regardless of the victim’s belief system (which interestingly is never revealed). “This guy gets it” Jesus says, while pointing out that those who parsed the text so finely also completely missed the point because they failed to care for a human in need.
I could share with you my views regarding homosexuality in this little diatribe, as I’m sure those on the left and the right want to know. But that misses the point here, because the point this last weekend isn’t what I think about the ethics of homosexuality. There’s something greater at stake. I’m incensed that ‘in the name of Jesus’ people would pour out hatred, ridiculous accusations, and incite their listeners to persecution and the denial of basic human rights for any people created in God’s image and loved by God. Such a rally is embarrassing, angering, and I for one, feel the need to go on record as declaring that no matter what the sexual ethic, or race, or gender, or religion, or political affiliation of my neighbor, my calling and commitment is to love and bless them in Jesus’ name. Anything less is a different gospel, and not good news at all.
And so I pray that we who carry His name will pause a moment and be certain that we’re building on the right foundation, remembering that the right foundation, the sign of maturity, is our capacity to show demonstrable love to all people, serving and blessing each one in Jesus’ name. I cry out with Van Morrison when I see this kind of garbage happening, “When will we ever learn to live in God?”
Posted on October 22, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
Thank you for this. I am clapping for you, over here.
I don't know if the pic in this post was taken at the conference you mentioned...but did you notice the mis-spelling on the poster? Not only do these christians distort the Bible, but they are so INTENT on their mission that they can't even spell (which makes them look even more ridiculous to me....)
Posted by: diane | October 22, 2007 4:49 AM
2000 years ago, Jesus would have showed up at that tent meeting, written something in the sand (or dirt, or whatever you have in Lynnwood, Washington), and invited anyone in the group who was without sin to cast the first stone (or the first handful of "human feces," since, according to the linked article above, that's what this group has thrown in Latvia).
And in a small way, by writing this here, you have followed Jesus' lead. Instead of sand, you wrote on an online literary website. But your message is the same as Jesus' was 2000 years ago, asking the mob, "Who are you to condemn anyone?"
We need to understand, as Christians, that our options aren't limited to either tolerance or hatred.
In fact, I think we're called to exhibit the opposite of both.
Posted by: tyler Charles | October 22, 2007 7:28 AM
Thank you for this article!!
Posted by: Ryan | October 22, 2007 9:29 AM
Amen and amen.
This weekend, I went to a different conference, "OUT THERE," at DePaul University:
http://condor.depaul.edu/~lgbtq/news/index.html
There is hope yet.
Posted by: grace | October 22, 2007 12:01 PM
Totally agree. Groups like this are the antithesis of Christianity.
Posted by: Aaron | October 22, 2007 2:43 PM
Hoorah! We all need to take this stand! Christ taught LOVE, we need to embrace this love to Everyone! Picking and choosing is out of the question. Only representing Christ and what He stands for should be our ultimate goal!! Thank You!
Posted by: Cyndi | October 22, 2007 8:08 PM
Thank you for sharing your strong feelings.
These 'christians' are indeed giving Jesus a bad name. Also, they are using terrible logic to come to their conclusions. The hermeneutic that allows for the outrageous statements made on that sign above are unfounded and highly suspicious at best, completely errant at worst.
What happened to 'they will know you by your love?'
Posted by: Tim | October 23, 2007 1:37 AM
Thank you for the great article. When I entered high school I realized very quickly that my biggest job as a Christian was going to be doing damage controle. The biggotry of these christians has not only made the church an intolerant place, but it has also destroyed our ability to truly worship. We have lost the sense of Grace that is necessary to know and love God. If we are willing to condem others for their sin we miss the point that we are all sinners saved by grace. I was saved by God's mercy from the same condemnation as any other person: gay, strait or ambiguous. Until we are able to say with Paul, "I am the chife of sinners." we have nothing to say to the homosexual community or the rest of the world.
Posted by: Andrew Hedinger | October 23, 2007 6:42 AM
This was, indeed, a very powerful, very moving - also very, very accurate piece. I don't recall any verses in the Bible where Christ was an advocate for killing people. I do remember reading "Love thy neighbor, as thy self" along with "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" too - both very telling of His intent for us.
Posted by: Jeni Hill Ertmer | October 23, 2007 9:06 PM
The problem in America is that homosexuality has become politicized. Why should we stop having conferences about this sin? Why not have meetings condemning liars? Or thieves? Lawyers to kill two birds with one stone. Lets take it a step higher people. Theres ten commandments. We can have a field day here. We can condemn everyone because as we all know Christians are perfect. Forget addressing sin and the fact that God redeems. Thats too much work. Lets focus on one sin (homosexuality) and attack them relentlessly. Tough love. Who's with me?
- Colbert '08
Posted by: Matthew Flores | October 24, 2007 6:13 PM
I could not open my mouth fast enough in saying with you "Enough." It is exactly this type of hypocrisy, this type of power-seeking, and this type of blatant mis-use of the gospel that makes it nearly impossible to live out as a follower of Jesus in my work place. I have to battle so hard to show that I am not one of these "stupid christians."
Posted by: Tim McGeary | October 25, 2007 8:05 AM
So, so sad. More over, I wonder how many readers of this article had homosexuality on their mind rather than the point?
We see this kind of thing often, but it's the homosexuality stuff that gets the press. How many other sins do we treat like this? I know a Christian that rails on, and dams anybody who drinks even one drop of wine, beer, or hard spirits. (I like to remind her that Jesus was wine maker.)
Posted by: Bryan Cathererman | October 25, 2007 11:40 AM
Richard: As always, thanks for your passion to stand up and speak for justice and mercy.
Posted by: Kimberly George | October 28, 2007 1:23 AM
there really isn't anything to say about this. i can't even believe this still happens in the twenty first century ... sad ... i guess no matter what the times crazy fundamentalists never die out ... I feel bad for them it must be hard to live with all that hate all the time
Posted by: katherine | October 28, 2007 9:14 PM