So there’s this blog…..
I’m not sure how the subject originated but ol’ dude claims that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be Christian if you are gay or if you believe homosexuality is not a sin. He says you can’t pick and choose what scriptures to believe in and that the Bible makes it clear that homosexuality is wrong.
Normally I don’t respond to any of his rhetoric because in my opinion he comes across as one of those people who likes stirring up controversy, getting other people agitated, trying to make other people look foolish, etc. Basically an asshole looking for a reaction. Someone I would despise in real life, but I follow on tumblr because he reblogs some great photos.
But this current antic caught my eye and as a member of both the Christian and LGBTQ community I felt compelled to reply.
Do I think homosexuality is a sin: I don’t know. I grew up believing it was. Feeling guilty about this part of my identity. In college my opinion expanded. I met people who explained that the Bible isn’t as “clear” about the matter as people like to say it is. They explained eras, context, and history, etc. I even met people who told me that, as Christians, they didn’t really think it was that important. Did it make me feel better? Yes, for a little while. Did I believe it completely? Honestly…no.
I didn’t want to be “one of those people” who frame the Bible and the scriptures to fit their beliefs/lifestyle. However, I know that I didn’t choose to like both men and women. I didn’t choose to be attracted to the same sex when I grew up in a household that would condemn me to hell if they knew. Why would I choose a lifestyle that causes me anguish because it conflicts with another part of me?
My current stance on the matter rests on the fact that being gay and being Christian are both parts of who I am….just like being black and being a woman. The difference between all these identities? I did choose to be a Christian. Part of me doesn’t believe God is going to punish me for how he created me.
So in my response to ol’ dude, I told him that his parameters for what it means to be a Christian (in my opinion) appear to be skewed, faulty, and narrow. I told him that the basis of Christianity is believing that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that He lived in this world as a mortal man, and that He died for everyone’s sins. I told him that the secondary set of “parameters” are the 10 Commandments, none of which make reference to homosexuality. Of course he told me I can’t pick and choose which scriptures to believe in—which I find comical seeing as that’s the argument many LGBTQ people make when Christians preach on the topic but never discuss the other “abominations” brought up in Leviticus or elsewhere—but that’s not what I’m doing.
I’ll be the first to tell you that I don’t know if homosexuality is really a sin or not (if it is, it’s no greater a sin than any of the others). However, what I DO KNOW…is that as long as you believe that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, you’re a Christian (Romans 10: 9-10). Whether you’re living according to God’s will is a matter of interpretation and specific teachings.
As for me, my biggest battle with God isn’t about my sexuality. It’s about getting my butt up on Sunday for church. It’s about treating other people as He calls me to. It’s about learning how to forgive. It’s about asking for repentance and then actually cutting out the mess I’ve been asking repentance for. The list goes on, and on…because I’m not perfect and I know He doesn’t expect be to me. He does expect me to try however, and I’m doing just that.
—Lastly, if ol’ dude from the blog comes across this…I just want you to know that I will not be giving anymore commentary. And to be clear, this wasn’t for you. It was for me :) A catharsis of sorts. So thank you.
