Confessions of a Heterosexual

My social networks exploded today.

Comments. Questions. Photos. Hashtags. Insults. Arguments. 

All of them pertaining to the question of homosexual equality in general, and Proposition 8 in particular. 

The question becomes this: how, as Christians, should we deal with this issue?

There are ditches on either side of the road on this one. It's like balancing on a tree branch that is spanning the gap across a river with a dangerous current. One false step and you're in trouble.

One the one hand, Christians have the tendency to bash the gay community. An extreme example is, of course, Westboro Baptist. And while most Christians won't stoop to such despicable levels of hatred against the LGBT community, I think that the mindset is still there. 

We view homosexuals as less than human. We view them as the scum of society, as a despicable group of individuals, and are not afraid to speak of them as such, within our Christian circles at least (if not directly to them). 

Let's flip the tables, though, before coming to some concluding comments.

Because, on the other hand, it is becoming trendy in the Christian community (and outside--but that's not my goal to address here) to accept homosexuality as a lifestyle choice that is really no big deal. It gets looked at as if God really doesn't address the issue. It is portrayed as a lifestyle choice, or that people were born that way--as if that makes it acceptable.

It's trendy to think we're "showing love" by supporting the LGBT community in their actions. We've either turned a blind eye to the sin, or (more often than not) thrown out the idea that being "gay" or "lesbian" is actually a sin at all. 

Rick Warren said the following...and I think he absolutely nails it:

   "Our culture has accepted two huge lies: The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate."

He is spot-on. I severely disagree with the LGBT lifestyle. As the debate goes on over whether it is "choice" or something the individuals are born with, I think it is clear from a Scriptural basis (which must inform EVERY situation) that homosexuality is indeed a sin (Rom. 1:18-32, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 1 Tim. 1:8-10, etc.). 

But, I do not hate homosexuals. I have friends...yes, friends...that are either gay/lesbian, or that are staunch supporters of the LGBT community as heterosexuals. There is no room in me, however,  for hate or fear. Despite my disagreement with their lifestyle, the LGBT community members are still created imago dei-- in the image of God. That is something every human being is born with, which gives every life dignity. Every person, therefore, is deserving of love and respect--not hate--whether or not you are in agreement with their lifestyle.

Again, this does not mean I condone the lifestyle. This does not mean the lifestyle of homosexuality is okay, no matter if an individual was born that way or not. This does not mean we should not preach against it--the practice of homosexuality is a sin (and that's a very important distinction--being gay and acting on those predispositions or preferences are very different things). 

So I call myself and my fellow Christians out of hate and into a Christian love for the LGBT community.

Yet I call myself and my fellow Christians to be willing to call out the sin of homosexuality, even when it is not trendy, hip, or popular. 

The truth in love. We must speak truth. But we must love.

Those two things are inseparable.

God, heal the heterosexual and the homosexual. We both need you.