I don’t care if Chick-fil-A supports Biblical marriage. I don’t care if Henson Productions supports homosexuality. I don’t care.
I do care that people are being legalistic instead of loving, and people are being bullies. I do care that social media is jumping all over it as if we’re sending Earth’s orbit straight into the Sun.
I don’t care if someone is gay any more than I care what color their eyes are. If they aren’t willfully hurting someone, or if they aren’t blindly acting out of ignorance, I don’t care. Why? Because they don’t care who I do (or don’t) sleep with. I do care if someone is being abused or taken advantage of. I do care that too many people find a reason to say someone else hates them instead of taking the High Road and just letting everyone get along peacefully.
Call it sin, lifestyle choice, or what-you-will. Nobody’s perfect.
Nobody.
And I’m okay with that. I don’t want people judging my entire existence based on one aspect of my life. I’ve been served enough mercy and grace to share! Haven’t you?
Why does one person’s belief have to alienate another’s? If someone wins the Big Lotto some people are happy, some say he’s a gambler. If someone drinks too much some say he’s an addict, some say he’s a party dude. There are two sides to every story. And I don’t believe that just because someone is gay, they’re going to hell any more than I would believe that just because a person says he/she is a Christian that means they’re going to Heaven.
I’m a Christian, and I know my views are controversial. The liberals will say I’m too conservative, and the Conservatives will say I’m too liberal. But here’s my take on the whole social situation.
IT DOESN’T MATTER.
It’s not my place to judge anyone. It is my place to love them, no matter who they are or what they do. Christ didn’t set Himself up in the Courts. He ate and talked and stayed with prostitutes and [gasp!] tax collectors.
My Church teaches us to love the sinner but hate the sin. And we are all sinners. Period. There is but one way to Heaven: Salvation through Jesus Christ.
And it’s not up to me to decide for anyone else what that salvation looks like or acts like or what it is. I know what my salvation is. And I know how I’m supposed to act.
Matthew 22:37-40 [NIV] states
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
So Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, says his company supports Biblical marriage. Why is that “hate-mongering”? He didn’t say, “We refuse to serve gays.” He didn’t say, “Let them starve.” He said, “Hey, this is what we believe.”
So why are supporters of the Gay/Lesbian community not considered hate-mongers for bashing Chick-fil-A? Why couldn’t they just agree to disagree, instead of starting a social free-for-all?
How is it okay for one group of people to loudly voice their opinions and beliefs nearly everywhere they can, but when others do the same, it’s “wrong”?
What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
It should be as simple as that. Some people think homosexuality is okay. Others don’t. I’m not going to condemn anyone for their beliefs, unless they’re abhorrently evil. Some people think even one sip of wine is one sip too many. That wearing any kind of jewelry is excessive. That owning two cars in a five person family is greed.
It still tastes like Chicken.
Chick-fil-A made a statement. It doesn’t change the restaurant recipe. They didn’t suddenly add pepper instead of bread crumbs. It’s not a political statement. It wasn’t a challenge or an ultimatum. Cathy simply voiced his belief. Now, Chick-fil-A is a Christian company. Why does it suddenly surprise anyone that their beliefs are dictated by the Bible? I’d be more surprised if the head of Chick-fil-A was a Wiccan.
I’m sad at the condition of the world. I’m sad not because there are Gays and Lesbians. But because there are
Bullies!
In all communities.
And I’m sad because people just don’t listen to each other any more. They’re too busy trying to be recognized. Trying to be right. Trying to point out how the other side is intolerant. But in doing so, aren’t they just as intolerant?
My name is Molly Jo. I am a Christian. I am also a Sinner. And I love you.
Because you are a Person. Period.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
This post is linked up with Frankly, My Dear…’s “What’s the Word?” Wednesday
and Pour Your Heart Out With Things I Can’t Say
Love it… I love that there is a christian origination out there that will stand up. BUT i live in Vegas and Chick Filet refuses to come to “sin city” that seems a little over the top to me? What do you think?
Thank you, Corrie! I agree, I’m all for standing up for beliefs. But at what point is “standing up” turn into barricades instead of welcome mats? There’s more to Vegas than Sin City… or do Coke and M&M’s have it wrong?
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
Molly, thank you! This one hits close to home. I wish every Christian would read the words you have written and shared. So often we judge instead of love. I honestly wish more people focused on loving others instead of needing to be right. I have a loved one who is a homosexual, and it doesn’t define who she is. I wish we all showed compassion, understanding, and the love.of Christ.
Thank you, Jess. Loving people doesn’t mean being a doormat, but it does mean showing more compassion than the norm. At least, that’s my take.
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
and are we not called to be light in the darkness?
That was my understanding of Brotherly Love.
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
I really don’t know enough about this story. Did he say that as a public statement? I don’t know the context? I guess I can see how some might feel alienated by his statement. If I felt alienated that chicken might taste a little different…
Ann recently posted..Is Zeus Angry?
Yes. He gave a statement that they are supporters of Biblical Marriage, and a few other things. Which is fine. That’s his freedom and choice to say so. He’s not asking others to change; they are asking/forcing/bullying him to do so. That’s what I have issues with.
WITNESS. Could not agree more. What makes me SO VERY ANGRY is the label of ‘hateful’ based on a preference. If you don’t agree with the left, you are a monster and should be punished. Last I checked, this was a country built on free speech and everyone is free to believe what they want- as long as bodily harm is not inflicted on others.
Julias Math recently posted..How I Got Over Myself and Still Looked Beautiful At My Wedding
Thank you so much, Julia. I must admit, I’ve received some wonderfully supportive comments of this viewpoint. Too bad it’s not in the MainStream Media. How can we, as a nation, tell our children to stop bullying in school when all they see is the World At Large doing just that?!
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
I agree. I hate that it’s only acceptable to support one side of an issue these days. If you’re on the “wrong” side, you’re intolerant and ignorant.
I think Chick Fil A has the right to support whatever they want. I have no problem with an individual not giving them their business if they disagree. But I have a huge problem with declaring war on a company on all social media sites just because you don’t like their opinion.
Twingle Mommy recently posted..Be. Wines Review
Thank you, that’s exactly my point. It’s personal, not political. Loved your wine review, too!
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
I like your point that we are called to love. Judging is for God.
I want to do that.
I find myself judging the people who are judging. (This is wrong. I’ll keep trying not to, but I’m also trying to understand the whole situation.)
I think the reason why the anti-gay marriage statement is hurtful is because people are born gay. It’s not a choice. And when they hear someone say they don’t believe in gay marriage, it probably feels like -at the root level- they are being judged for loving who they love – because that is what marriage is – a commitment to love for a lifetime.
What could hurt more than being (essentially) told “your love is wrong.”?
I have a sneaking suspicion that Jesus would not say “your love is wrong.”
On the Chick-fil-A side, I suppose they feel that gay people do make a choice to be gay and they also believe that the bible says being gay is wrong. Maybe they feel they are going to save someone by making the statement.
(The Bible was written a long time ago and there are a lot of things in the bible that we (most) wouldn’t participate in today – like multiple wives, treating daughters like property, owning slaves. I think denouncing of gays should be something we let go by the wayside too.
I think Jesus wanted us to get rid of rules that precluded love.
When Jesus arrived he was upset with people being rule-keepers and judging each other. He said “love thy neighbor.” I think he meant everyone.
Chick fil A had the right to state their beliefs and at the same time I understand why LBGT’s would feel hurt by that statement.
We’ll all know the answers when we move on to the next phase of life after physical death.
In the meantime, I will try to remember -Love, love, love ….everyone. I’m working on it. :-)
Kris recently posted..Application of Impossible Things – Book Review
Thanks for your comment, Kris. I believe when Jesus Christ came it eliminated any Old Testament Laws. The Bible does talk about homosexual behavior, but there’s interpretive discrepancies as to the exact meaning. The Proverbs and Psalms urge us to seek Wisdom no matter what it cost. And since I don’t know everything, I certainly am not going to force my beliefs on others. I don’t like being bullied into a way of thinking. People talk about “thought police” but then they make such a big deal like this. It’s such a dichotomy, and it saddens me. I pray the world will learn Real Brotherly Love before it’s too late.
Molly Jo recently posted..What’s the Word? Wednesday [Blog Hop]: July 25, 2012
I agree that it is a “MOB” mentality that just keeps escalating and most of the time people jump on a bandwagon because everyone else is doing it. Now I consider myself a Christian, and I know my salvation is protected just because of my faith and belief in Christ…I do support Gay and Lesbian rights, and Marriage equality for all….I think that it is like anything with any particular group, or person, Some can say one thing and someone else hears something entirely different…things get taken out of context all the time…I can sympathize with both sides, and and would never want any harm to come to either sides…Being a Christian means a lot of things, it also means to have the ability to be EMPATHETIC and practice Common sense…That goes for ALL who claim to be Christian and all who are in a social setting. I don’t always live up to the image others have for me as a Christian, but that doesn’t mean I am not one….I think Tolerance is the key word here, for both sides!
Thanks, Dani. I do believe one of the problems is people confuse Personal Beliefs with being Politically Correct (a phrase I generally detest). The Bible speaks against a plethora of sins, but you’re correct in that salvation ONLY lies in our acceptance of Jesus Christ. How does someone else accept Christ? That’s between that person and God. I know I’m saved, but I also know I’m a sinner. So it’s not for me to say what someone else’s salvation is. I just don’t like it when I’m told I’m wrong. Anyway, SOAPBOX, right? Thanks for your comment.
Molly Jo recently posted..Under Construction: Baby Steps, Bob. Baby Steps.
Molly Jo, bravo!
It is better to be happy than to be right.
Great post and brave .
You are taking a step to end the hate.
Alma recently posted..Stop and Spin
Thanks, Alma. I only wish other people would spread love instead of instead of intolerance.
Molly Jo recently posted..Under Construction: Baby Steps, Bob. Baby Steps.
I have been about 99% offline since Tuesday night so this is the first I’m hearing about this, so I’m not sure what to say.
Though I’m laughing at “it still tastes like chicken.”
Shell recently posted..Things They Can’t Say: With Just a Bit of Magic
Haha, thanks Shell. Yup, it’s the same chicken it was a week ago (well, not exact same, but you know what I mean…). Thankfully the Olympics seems to have bumped this off the top news shelf.