Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Like everyone else, I was shocked to hear about Ray Boltz's lifelong secret. One of the most successful Christian recording artists of all-time is gay. You can read the article here; very well written.
After reading it, I was saddened. Not because Ray Boltz is gay (although the news is troubling). Not because the enemy is rearing his ugly face, once again, in the life of a very public Christian. I was saddened for homosexuals.
More than likely, Ray Boltz will be banished from "Christian culture." His music will be pulled off the shelves by Christian retailers. Churches, who once sang his songs, will disassociate themselves from him. Mentioning his name in "Christian" circles will provoke slow head shakes and looks of great disappointment.
You see... for Christians... homosexuality is like the plague. We stay so far from it, like we'll get Satan coodies if we actually meet a gay person. The thought of having gay friends makes us feel dirty... kinda like listening to a "secular" song and liking it. Frankly, there is not another sect in our society that is more alienated by Christianity than the homosexual community... and it's infuriating to me.
We jump at the chance to feed starving children in Africa, provide clean water for those who don't have it, and even set aside a few hours on the weekend to feed the homeless... all in the spirit of Matthew 25:40.
Have you ever considered who "the least" are in the eyes of God? I think that they'd be those who are furthest from Him. Consider the story of Jesus and the woman at the well (read it here). Jesus himself said, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.
It's estimated that 1% of the American population consists of homosexuals. That's more than 3,000,000 people that, by in large, we care nothing for.
Many Christians think that the greatest need for homosexuals is to be freed from homosexuality. In reality, their greatest need is Jesus. And it's our obligation to bring Him to them.
Dear Christianity,
We've shunned the homosexual community for far too long. In their eyes, we're nothing more than judgmental, hypocritical people who know nothing about "loving thy neighbor." We're a joke to them. A really bad, dirty joke.
Let's change. Let's engage them. Let's be a friend to them when they need to talk, a shoulder to cry on when life hurts. Let's show them that, despite our differences, we love them anyway. Let's ask Jesus to allow His light to shine through us to them, and trust Him with the results.
Yes. Homosexuality is a sin. Like every other sin, it separates people from God. Let us not be sinful by turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to those who need Christ so desperately.
Let's not throw Ray Boltz under the bus. Let's love him. Let's pray for him. He's no different than you and me; a sinner who desperately needs Jesus.
I hope you consider this.
Wholeheartedly,
A Saddened Christ-follower
We tend to only love our neighbor when it's convenient or lines up with our belief system.
It starts with me. I choose to live out the golden rule today.
Bro, you hit it on the head. Belief systems are very scary things. I think it's important to keep an "open door" to our belief system but continually measure everything that comes through it against God's word. Keeping the door shut isn't the solution; we'll run the risk of becoming irrelevant and hard to relate with.
oronas -
I love to think about who'd be at His table today. Defense attorneys, politicians, meth addicts, pedophiles... all kinds of people that make Christians uncomfortable.
Thanks for all the thoughts guys.
While I am 100% behind what you are saying, I can't help but wonder where all these gay-hating Christians are. I know that the media would have you think that the average churchgoer is in solidarity with Fred Phelps and his "God Hates Fags" followers, but they are nothing but some fringe group that no one of any real note supports.
I have never known a single Christian (from the most liberal to the most conservative) who is in favor of treating gays like they are subhuman. Not one.
Wait....Stop!
I was going to go on, but I think that I'll just write a reaction to this post on my blog because what I would like to say will certainly get too long and drawn out for this little comment box. I would hate to try to limit my reaction due to space and cause my thoughts to be unclear.
I love that you and I can be such good friends and still have such interesting differences of opinion about things. You really challenge me to think DLo!
I don't recall using the words "hate" or "subhuman" but most Christians are repulsed by homosexuals. I don't think you can deny that. We don't want to be there friends, we don't want to sit next to them, we're sickened when we see them holding hands in public, etc., etc., etc. I'm anxious to hear more of your thoughts on this.
Pete -
Don't disappoint bro! I'd love to hear more on your thoughts.
Thanks for chiming in everyone!