Christians shouldn’t be afraid of Gay Pride.
So yesterday my online world is all a-Twitter with news that Obama has officially named June LGBT Pride month. I heard this news almost entirely from other Christians who were concerned about what this news means for them and their families. I saw things like, “I’m disturbed,” and “Obama is pandering to the left again”, and “it’s a sad day for traditional families.” Even though I’m a heterosexual wife and mother, solidly in the world of mainstream Christianity and living an oh-so-traditional family life, I still find reactions like those of my contemporaries disturbing.
I wanted very badly to respond to all of the comments I was reading as fully as possible, but Twitter’s 140 character limit was painfully constrictive.
So today I write a blog post, and I hope it reaches the right eyes.
Should Christians be disturbed by the Gay Rights and Pride movement? Should we reject our American President if he affirms it?
No.
My reasons?
- Assuming that God “does not intend for anyone to be Gay”, the argument that God is offended by living a gay life only holds water for those who wish to please God. America isn’t made entirely of Christians, and those who disagree with the tenants of our beliefs should still be protected by societal laws while they lead the lives they wish for themselves.
- A gay person being protected while living their life with their partner and family does not impugn on my right to live my traditional life with my “traditional” family.
- No matter what one’s reason, when you have a negative emotional reaction to a gay person being happy and proud of their life, what they read into that is that you don’t want them to be happy. When we, as Christians, say we are “disturbed by”; “upset at”; or “disgusted with” our President showing fidelity to his gay constituency the message the world gets is that we Do Not Like The Gays. This is killing our ability to show them God’s love. I cannot be okay with that.
- No matter how legitimate one’s complaint may be, when one makes a public declaration as a Christian, one must consider the affect that declaration will have on perceptions of Christ and God. Our first duty as Christians is NOT to eradicate sin or make sinning more difficult, but to demonstrate God’s love. We should be showing the value of true discipleship, the fruit of good lives, the happiness and transcendent joy that comes from knowing that Jesus calls us friends. Showing disgust with sin as a primary reaction negates, in the eyes of those who hear it, our greater message. It says, to put it plainly, “you’re not good enough for me.” Is that really the message God would have us get across?
- When making a public declaration our concern must not only be with what we want to say but with how it is heard. You may want to say you’re disappointed, but if what people HEAR is “I hate Gays”, perhaps you should share your disappointment privately and say, “I don’t hate gays” instead.
Christianity looks really selfish at times like these. We look as we need to be protected from sin and we’re offended that more people aren’t thinking about OUR needs, instead of the needs of our gay neighbors. If we are truly Christian, then we know that Jesus is our strength and our shield. We don’t need to be afraid. Our fearful reaction to gay pride shows a lack of faith.
And that is what I wanted to say.
Renee Miller replied:
And you said it well.
June 4, 2009 at 2:36 pm. Permalink.
Renee Miller replied:
And,as usual, I’m sharing your insights on my Facebook page. Although I am sure there will be some Christians who will read your post as an afront to their pristine lives instead of an encouragement to love others where they are, just as Jesus loves us where we are. His redemptive power is available to all – yet we so proudly make others feel that isn’t so.
June 4, 2009 at 2:38 pm. Permalink.
bridgeout replied:
Thank you Lindsey. You voice is a comfort… and I believe you share words inspired by the Great Comforter!
June 4, 2009 at 3:11 pm. Permalink.
Erica replied:
Soooooo good. I really like how practical you were with the grace in explaining how we come accross sometimes. Easily understood without being easily offensive.
June 4, 2009 at 3:35 pm. Permalink.
Dan replied:
I think the president needs to make December Christian Pride month and see how well that lead balloon goes over in the Pro-Gay media. I dont have a problem with Homosexual people living their lives as they wish, it is wrong biblically so I cant support the act of homosexuality but in a free society they can do as they wish and I by no means want to infringe on that freedom. As a Christian I dont want to condemn them by dont understand why elevate Gay Pride as something truly special or unique by giving it the mainstream recognition of an entire month? Why does it have to be something that is established, held up as better, more important than the status quo?
June 4, 2009 at 4:03 pm. Permalink.
stevek216 replied:
I would like to leave a quote. This is mainly in response to Dan’s “Homosexual lives being wrong biblically”. I just cannot understand people who literally interpret the Bible. Anyways, please read this.Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this?
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? – Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted fan,
Jim
June 4, 2009 at 4:23 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
EVERYONE: Thanks! And Erica and Renee, thanks for the re-posting love.
@DAN: Why should there be a Christian Pride month? Christianity’s role in the history of our country, as well as its influence on art and literature, and its accepted place in society as one of the big three religions, is not a hidden fact. Anyone who cares to learn more about Christianity or a Christian’s place in life and society can do so EASILY, not to mention that Christianity as it relates to history and the shaping of society is still a part of public school curriculum. The same is NOT true of Black History, which is why there is a Black History month. Nor is the same true of homosexuality, which is why Obama supports the practice of Gay Pride Month.
@Steve: I’ve seen that before, but it still earns a chuckle every time. Thanks for the comment.
June 4, 2009 at 4:34 pm. Permalink.
Dan replied:
Isnt this government act counter productive as to what its trying to do? It further excludes the Gay Community from the status quo by elevating them and putting a label on everyone within the group, think how diverse the Christian population is, the gay population is also very diverse.
So quintessentially the gay community is doing exactly the same thing parts of the Christian communities are doing by secluding and excluding themselves from normal people like you and me. I agree we should love everyone and unite but this labeling everyone into sects of people draws divides and lines that makes it a lot harder to cross into their lives and them into ours, if we look at everyone as people, potential friends, and not part of this or that group it will be a lot easier to know them and love them.
June 4, 2009 at 4:42 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
@ Dan: I fail to see how having a Gay Pride month labels the entire group- after all, it’s no secret to any of them that they are gay. Nor does it deny the disparity of their experiences, although they are all very different people from different cultural backgrounds following different walks of life, the one thing that is labeled is something that they all share. After all, they ARE all gay, and if they take part in Gay Pride month that’s hardly a secret.
The point of Gay Pride month, just like the point of Black History month, is to raise awareness of the history, special struggles, and unique lessons that can be learned from a unique group of people. Black History month doesn’t label or marginalize black people- if anything it does the opposite. It celebrates the diversity of black history and the beauty of black people’s impact on society.
And despite Obama’s announcement making Gay Pride month “official”, the gay community has been celebrating it for years, for the same reason.
June 4, 2009 at 4:54 pm. Permalink.
stevek216 replied:
Lindsey, thanks for the reply. I actually expected you to be mad, or at least somewhat offended. Anyways I can see what Dan is saying,and this has bothered me for quite some time. I’m sure people have said it before me but here I go anyways. Gay Pride month and Black History month are good ideas, but they shouldn’t be permanent. I think the driving idea behind both of them is to unite the respective communities and to try to show people that they should not be treated differently. But I think the fact that we have a black history month is racist in itself. By celebrating only contributors to history who are black, we imply that they are different (of course, black people are different, but only in skin color). I recieve the detroit news, and when Barack Obama won the election, there was an entire section on him and his triumph over racism. They made a point of racism being dead. This itself is racism. The day a minority cantidate runs for president, and we don’t have a record minority voting turnout, that’ll be when race no longer matters. Anyways, thats just my opinion. But I see what dan means
June 4, 2009 at 5:05 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
@ Steve: Oh, you’d have to try MUCH harder than that if you want to offend me!
I do believe in God and the Bible, but I also believe that Jesus died to free us from beneath the law, so why still apply Old Testament Law? Isn’t that a form of denying Christ? anyway, that’s a discussion for another day.
And while I understand the kind of quiet racism that you are talking about, and how it could easily become a quiet bigotry against Gay people, I don’t think that’s the case right now. The fact is that gay people and their impact on society is NOT celebrated right now by people outside the gay community (for the most part) and the idea of a homosexual being a positive and treasured contributor to our democracy is, well, not a standard that is really taught in schools.
Ten years ago the same was absolutely true for black people, hence black history month. As the saying goes, “when you’re white, every month is your month.” The same thing applies to heterosexuals, in my book. Every month is our month. We shouldn’t be so loathe to let gay people have theirs.
June 4, 2009 at 5:14 pm. Permalink.
stevek216 replied:
Ha Ha well thank you for your open-mindedness. I’m sure you guessed, but I am gay. Maybe you didn’t guess. But regardless, I see what you mean, Gay Pride month IS a good idea in my opinion, I was just saying I see where Dan is coming from. I was chuckling when I read that every month is your month, because for me, every month is MY month, and also gay pride month. I agree that schools aren’t exactly the most gay friendly place (I’m sort of hesitant to say this, but hopefully it won’t take away any credibility. I’m still in high school.) but I’m just keeping quiet about it until college. I go to a catholic school, so I would not be well received. I’m not sure if I believe in god or not. I don’t think I do. But anyways, that’s not really relevant. I’ve already lost my train of thought. Well, thats my two cents.
June 4, 2009 at 5:26 pm. Permalink.
Tony replied:
Here’s why I don’t really like this whole gay pride month thing.
This is an example of bending over backwards to be straighter than straight. (no double-entendre intended) which is one of the tendancies of liberals that I don’t really appreciate. The intent of gay pride is to stop bigotry and give gays and lesbians equal treatment, but it is in-fact doing the opposite and highlighting their differences while simultaneously declairing those differences should be ignored.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that what we really want is equal rights for everyone and that the ideal would be that everyone treats everyone else with respect regardless of what visible minority they’re a part of. But this will do nothing to help that cause and will in-fact just polarize people more.
To me gay pride should be a celebration of individuality, not a banner for a particular minority. If Obama was to really be a transcendent president he should be instituting a Discrimination Awareness Month, or Individual Pride Month. To me that would be far better because it could focus on the histories of all groups that struggled for equality, women, blacks, jews, gays, pastafarians… this would be a month that would be relevant long after the struggles of Gays and Lesbians becomes a footnote in a history book.
June 4, 2009 at 5:52 pm. Permalink.
mssc54 replied:
I thought everyone was “protected.” It’s against the law to beat up, rob, rape and kill white people, people of color, Jews, Christians and guess what… even gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.
As a matter of fact (and law) if any one in my family is is beaten up and the person who perpetuated the crime is caught they will be charged with the crime of beating up my family member. However if my family member were gay they would receive EXTRA PROTECTION if they are beaten because the offender will be charged with a HATE CRIME as well as a “regular crime”. As if there is a love crime.
June 4, 2009 at 6:46 pm. Permalink.
mssc54 replied:
As for Christians being concerned about an official month recognising alternative life styles…
Let’s give one or two of these Christians the benefit of the doubt and say that their concern is over the eternal destination of their gay/lesbian friends.
Would these same Christians be concerned if there were a Liar and Gossiper Pride Month. An Adulteror Pride Month? A Fornicator Pride Month? Just run down the list of sins and make them all a “I AM A SINNER AND PROUD OF IT MONTH!”
June 4, 2009 at 6:50 pm. Permalink.
Lindsey replied:
@Mssc54: I think perhaps you misunderstand hate crimes laws- the penalties are only more severe in cases which it can be proven that the SOLE motivation for the attack was based off of race/gender/sexuality/etc. It’s not worse in the eyes of the law to kill a black person or a gay person- it’s only worse if your ONLY REASON for killing them was because they were black or gay.
And as for the SIN PRIDE month, well, again- that only holds water for those who believe that being gay is sin, and outside knowledge of God’s true intent for one’s life, there’s no reason to see being gay as being bad. Of course it’s CLEAR who lying hurts, who adultery hurts, etc, but if you see gay as being a sin, it’s still a self-hurting sin, not other-hurting, and you can’t expect someone who doesn’t know God to see it as bad. So why shouldn’t someone who grows up outside of the confines of church who sees their attraction as healthy and normal celebrate who they are, naturally?
I get that this bothers people. I get that it’s hard to swallow. I get that as a Christian who wants their friends to live the healthiest and happiest lives and come to know God, a Christian isn’t likely to APPLAUD Obama’s speech- but there’s a better way than condemning it.
There’s got to be love.
June 4, 2009 at 6:56 pm. Permalink.
Joel replied:
Lindsey, I have been troubled by some of what you have had to say on this subject (while I greatly appreciate most of it) and, I admit, I was ambivalent (at best) about LGBT pride month. I should add that my being troubled by your writing is one of the reasons that I enjoy your writing.
Anyways, this is a brilliant post and I have a very hard time disagreeing with any of it; I think I’ll just have to say “amen.” Thank you for exemplifying the love and grace of our Savior.
And I think I have to stop there because some of the responses (oh God, on both sides!) are way more than I want to contend with, mostly because they haul out the same tired cliches (and, again, most assuredly on both sides). It impresses me that you are willing to dive into that mess. God bless you. I thank Him for you and what you are doing here. You and Ken are part of the Church that makes me very happy.
June 4, 2009 at 7:44 pm. Permalink.
me, mexid, ab, whatever replied:
I told you this before, this is why I avoid coming here. I don’t need to justify my existance to your fine readers who wish I didn’t exist. I’m only talking to you Lindsey. When I started this new blog I came across a gay teacher who was struggling with an issue of faith, I wrote him how much God loved him in whatever way I said it, I don’t remember, but you’d think this was never said in the blogsphere before, My stat counter went through the roof (coulden’t figure out how to do the stat counter with my vox blog) after I wrote him, and it never hit those numbers since. So much hurt, so much brokeness and “Christians” just walking past those broken pieces. Too busy trying to hear the voice of Christ to hear the voices of the lost? What an ugly “Bride of Christ.”
June 5, 2009 at 2:36 am. Permalink.
me, mexid, ab, whatever replied:
Missed you Shushlola
June 5, 2009 at 2:52 am. Permalink.
faemom replied:
I had to read your blog a second time because I got so wrapped up in the comments.
I found that the people who get upset over Black History Month and the like are white, hetrosexual males. In their whine, I hear, but what about us; don’t we get a month; what makes them so special. And I can hear those some comments under the discomfort and disgust. I just wonder what does it matter if a few libraries haul out their “gay” books, you don’t have to read them nor do you have to hear any gay speakers or go to a gay parade. No one’s more special. People can ignore it and go on their own way if they disagree.
June 5, 2009 at 5:49 am. Permalink.
Hayden Tompkins replied:
So I guess no one here wants to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or Cinco de Mayo? (These holidays are specifically affiliated with a certain subsection of our culture and I have never heard any of these arguments applied to those days.)
As a woman, I am ECSTATIC about Women’s History Month. Many of the arguments that I’ve seen applied to Gay Pride Month could be equally applied to Women’s History Month yet no one does.
For the record, I don’t agree with those arguments and I think they are intellectually disingenuous. (Women are not “separated out” and Women’s History Month is not “divisive” or “sexist”.)
The only person I’ve seen directly repudiate Gay Pride Month is Mssc54. He’s right, we would not celebrate an “Adulterer Pride Month”. It’s a much more honest argument and gets to the core issue of sin, religion, and law in this country.
June 5, 2009 at 1:55 pm. Permalink.
Tony replied:
I think I should clarify my stance a bit more. Seeing as some people seem to think I’m opposed to ethnic festevals or something… I’m not.
What I’m saying is this is a piss poor consolation. It’s a way of politically appeasing the gay community without actually giving them anything. “Sorry about that whole equal rights thing, but hey! We’ll give you a whole month where you can take pride in your your status as second-class citizens. Isn’t that great?!”
And even that I wouldn’t have a problem with so much if it was actually done in an effective manner, but all this gay pride month thing does is piss off those who are offended by homosexuality and does nothing to educate people about the similarities between the struggles of the gay community and other minorities in history.
The only way Gays and Lesbians are going to get the equality they deserve is if they work with the state and fund a marketing campaign to show they DON’T WANT to hijack anyone’s personal faith to allow them to be married. They just need to be recognized as a single unified entity by the state similar to a corporate merger. The framework for this already exists in Maritime law. Then they get what they want, people with sexual disorders such as hermaphrodites are not immediately second class citizens because they have 2 sex organs, and the only people who have to rant about it are overzealous homophobes who can go piss up a rope.
That is where I stand.
June 5, 2009 at 6:26 pm. Permalink.