|
Christy Daley - Junior
3/9/2005, 3:46:12 a.m.
So many people have written in with their so-called “answers” for this issue and quite frankly, I am pretty frustrated because I feel that none of this banter solves anything. In the end both sides of the argument are going to have to agree to disagree…and there will be dissention within both sides.
My problem is not with the article, or the way in which these two men approach the issue, but with some of the arguments/comments posted here, as well as comments about this article made outside of this message board.
For example; the comment by Nicole: “Christians should not associate themselves with homosexuals. That is a sin before God. For an institution to consider itself Christian, it must not associate itself with homosexuals, atheists, or other non-believers.” As a Christian, this comment offends me to the core. Are you condemning me because I have homosexual friends?
I challenge you to replace the word “homosexual” with the word “person,” “neighbor,” or even “sinner” if you prefer. It makes the difference between you and someone else seem much smaller, doesn’t it? A homosexual is not an “it.” As much as it might begrudge you to admit, let me remind you that a “homosexual” is extended the very same grace, forgiveness, and acceptance that Christ gave you when you accepted him as your personal Lord and Savior.
And another thing: The concept behind the Christian institution is not about exclusiveness, ignoring people who have different values or beliefs, or only including like-minded people…rather, it is inclusive…it is about governing an institution with respect to the values that Christ embodied and preached when he walked on this Earth (i.e. love your neighbor, give to the needy, love your enemy, seek God, “follow me,” do justice, love mercy, forgive those who wrong you, take the plank out of your own eye…etc.) regardless of differences.
On the opposite side of the fence, I was sitting around the dinner table in the cafeteria listening to some people discussing the comment made by Nicole, and one of the comments made was, “Crucify her!” Excuse me?!? Talk about judging…my initial response was to protest, but I chose not to say anything...mostly because I felt intimidated about expressing my feelings at a table where someone was being ridiculed for taking a position that went against what those people believed.
Plus, I wasn’t exactly sure where I stood on this situation…I hadn’t read the article yet. I feel now that I should have said something…not to justify her statement, because I obviously don’t agree with her, but I feel that if you’re going to use Matthew 7:1 (“Do not judge…”) as your verse of defense, you may want to see if it might apply to yourself and read it in it’s context.
Is someone else’s opinion condemnable because it threatens your lifestyle? Whether you believe someone is right or wrong, nobody should be condemned because they have different values than you. Nicole has the same right to her opinions as you do to yours…whether you were just “kidding” or not.
I agree with Kat when she says that the above verse is taken out of context. If you read Matt. 7:1-5 you will realize that it is not a command not to judge others, but rather a command against hypocrisy. If you want a better verse about judging, you should probably look at James 4:11-12.
The hardest part about this issue of “homosexuality through a Christian viewpoint,” for me, is that it forces me to examine my own beliefs and to make a decision, when I'm not exactly sure what I believe. It makes me really uncomfortable and sometimes angry because I see injustice, slander and intolerance, as well as truth, acceptance, and tolerance on both sides. One thing's for sure...it doesn't make my decision any easier.
OPINIONS
HOME
|
