01.23.05
Posted in faith, culture at 2:43 pm by
I should be typing a few pages of homework up into a completed assignment, but I got such a gem of a comment from “St. Nick”, I just can’t help but type out a few short thoughts of response.
If you didn’t read it, St. Nick (and I’ll call him/her Nick for short) posted a comment about my Repent America post. I’ve sort of gotten used to naysayer comments at this point and I take most of them in stride. In fact, I sort of just roll my eyes and chuckle now. Anyway, here it is in it’s glorious entirity (with some thoughts of mine interspersed:
So at what point to do you oppose evil in society?
At every point. I try to oppose evil in society always. That’s why I wrote that post…what those folks did was evil. They went to that rally to say that these people created in the image of God were abominations, and unless they turned from being gay they were going to hell. So, yeah, I guess I oppose that evil.
Why would you judge these people who believe the time is now?
First of all, you don’t see me heading out to Westboro Baptist Church (home of the infamous Fred ‘Fag Hater’ Phelps,) or cruising down to a Repent America rally. I grant those people the right to believe whatever the hell they want to believe in their own demonstrations. In fact, if they want to have their own demonstration in Philadelphia, on their own weekend–go right ahead. I support that.
What I don’t support is marching into a rally where the gay community is supporting those who’ve finally had the courage to tell the world who they really are (thus the name ‘Outfest’) and tell them all that unless they turn from their evil ways–they’ll burn. Essentially, the message that is sent to this community is that Philadelphia may accept you but the Church says “Fuck you.”
Sounds like you’re the one sitting in judgement.
I doubt anyone can really tell whether or not I’m sitting in judgement from a single blog entry…but, in truth, I’ve never claimed not to be in judgement. The good Lord didn’t say not to judge evil…in fact, he said to cling to what is good. Telling people that they’re going to hell because they were born with a different sexual orientation than one that is more popular…yep, I’m judging that. It’s bad.
Are conservative Christians not allowed to participate in freedom of speech?
Oh, you poor conservative ‘Christians’–one of which I am by most standards–your rights are always infringed upon. We Christians are such victims. (Nevermind that the most powerful man in the world claims to be one of us.)
Not allowed to demonstrate?
Sure we are, just pick an appropriate time and message.
Not allowed to share the public forum?
Again, there is a season for all things under the sun. And for the love of God, do you really believe that this message of the conservative Christian is not being heard? On ballots all over these United States, people cast votes to not allow homosexuals to marry. Don’t spin me some bullshit line about conservative Christians voice not being heard.
Don’t proclaim your tolerance, and then withhold it from views you find distasteful. That just makes you arrogant.
I admit, I’m intolerant of intolerance. I stand up for justice. I don’t get how that makes me arrogant. Is it arrogant to stand up for the cause of the gospel? I don’t think so…I think that it’s just what I’ve been called to do.
Permalink
Trackback URL »
http://www.badchristian.com/2005/01/23/really_i_should_be_doing_homework_1/trackback/
Posted in faith, culture at 2:43 pm by
I should be typing a few pages of homework up into a completed assignment, but I got such a gem of a comment from “St. Nick”, I just can’t help but type out a few short thoughts of response.
If you didn’t read it, St. Nick (and I’ll call him/her Nick for short) posted a comment about my Repent America post. I’ve sort of gotten used to naysayer comments at this point and I take most of them in stride. In fact, I sort of just roll my eyes and chuckle now. Anyway, here it is in it’s glorious entirity (with some thoughts of mine interspersed:
So at what point to do you oppose evil in society?
At every point. I try to oppose evil in society always. That’s why I wrote that post…what those folks did was evil. They went to that rally to say that these people created in the image of God were abominations, and unless they turned from being gay they were going to hell. So, yeah, I guess I oppose that evil.
Why would you judge these people who believe the time is now?
First of all, you don’t see me heading out to Westboro Baptist Church (home of the infamous Fred ‘Fag Hater’ Phelps,) or cruising down to a Repent America rally. I grant those people the right to believe whatever the hell they want to believe in their own demonstrations. In fact, if they want to have their own demonstration in Philadelphia, on their own weekend–go right ahead. I support that.
What I don’t support is marching into a rally where the gay community is supporting those who’ve finally had the courage to tell the world who they really are (thus the name ‘Outfest’) and tell them all that unless they turn from their evil ways–they’ll burn. Essentially, the message that is sent to this community is that Philadelphia may accept you but the Church says “Fuck you.”
Sounds like you’re the one sitting in judgement.
I doubt anyone can really tell whether or not I’m sitting in judgement from a single blog entry…but, in truth, I’ve never claimed not to be in judgement. The good Lord didn’t say not to judge evil…in fact, he said to cling to what is good. Telling people that they’re going to hell because they were born with a different sexual orientation than one that is more popular…yep, I’m judging that. It’s bad.
Are conservative Christians not allowed to participate in freedom of speech?
Oh, you poor conservative ‘Christians’–one of which I am by most standards–your rights are always infringed upon. We Christians are such victims. (Nevermind that the most powerful man in the world claims to be one of us.)
Not allowed to demonstrate?
Sure we are, just pick an appropriate time and message.
Not allowed to share the public forum?
Again, there is a season for all things under the sun. And for the love of God, do you really believe that this message of the conservative Christian is not being heard? On ballots all over these United States, people cast votes to not allow homosexuals to marry. Don’t spin me some bullshit line about conservative Christians voice not being heard.
Don’t proclaim your tolerance, and then withhold it from views you find distasteful. That just makes you arrogant.
I admit, I’m intolerant of intolerance. I stand up for justice. I don’t get how that makes me arrogant. Is it arrogant to stand up for the cause of the gospel? I don’t think so…I think that it’s just what I’ve been called to do.
Permalink
Trackback URL »
http://www.badchristian.com/2005/01/23/really_i_should_be_doing_homework_1/trackback/
Streak said,
January 23, 2005 at 3:41 pm
Great points, Brandon. I think that victimology that most Conservatve Christians hate when minorities use it, has become their own battle cry. Is it because somewhere in the NT it says something about Christians being hated for their faith?
jpe said,
January 24, 2005 at 10:08 am
Bravo.
Jim said,
January 25, 2005 at 9:41 am
It’s interesting how conservative xians have redefined the debate. I was listening to AirAmerica last night (Janeane/Sam’s show) and they had Jim Wallis on. He’s a very articulate spokesperson for the historical faith. He talked about the “hijacking” of xianity (its words, practices, etc.) by the right to the exclusion of the rich traditions that we have (MLK, Dorothy Day, WSCoffin and others).
It made me think about my own practices and subsequent “desert” experiences related to being driven out of any sense of having a xian home to practice my faith in.
Adam said,
January 26, 2005 at 7:10 pm
Nice!
The Waffle Man said,
January 28, 2005 at 11:56 am
you know, there’s a difference between being intolerant of someone’s opinions (about, say, Gays or how soon they think Tezcatlipoca is going to steal the sun) and being intolerant of their inherent traits.
There’s also a difference between telling someone they’re going to burn in hell and saying “I don’t think what you guys did was right”.
I wish conservative talking heads could figure that out.
Joey said,
January 29, 2005 at 12:37 pm
Very, very well said. I contend that offering demonstrations, legislation, and anti-gay rallies in place of the gospel is nothing short of a dereliction of duty on the part of Christians. Even worse is calling those things acts of gospel-proclamation. That’s a far worse injustice and a far greater sin than homosexuality could ever be.
Keep it up.
not even said,
February 10, 2006 at 12:40 pm
this is NOT right its only only christains suffering