2 Questions about Tolerance, Duck Commander and Gay Marriage

“What are your thoughts on Gay marriage? ” ~ Anonymous

The real issue for Christians is not whether a gay couple should have the same rights as a heterosexual couple, the issue is a redefining of the word “marriage.” When two people of the same sex cohabitate and express love to each other that is not a biblical marriage. It is a domestic partnership like a common-law union.  I don’t think we should use the term “gay marriage” because it is an oxymoron.   We believe that God ordained marriage with these words from Genesis: “A man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Marriage is defined as the union of a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant as husband and wife.

For a more detailed response, read my article, God is Giving Us Over.

“Hi Ryan, my partner and I have been amused by the A&E issue with Duck Dynasty. WOuld love to hear your thoughtson it. You are a Christian.  I am not.  You are straight. I am gay.  I know that there are Christians like the Westboro group who hate everyone, but your different and a couple of other Christians I know are to.    When I first met you I thought you were a homophibic bigot.  Then it became apparent to me that my gayness did not matter to you. Most of my gay friends don’t understand you, I am not sure I do either but thanks for your friendship.  happy about the shunning of Mr Big Duck Phil Robertson  from A&E. What do you think of this ?”  ~Ink 

It seems that this scenario gets played out every time a Christian is singled out and asked inflammatory questions that we already know the answer too.  This reminds me of the Chick-fil-a fiasco that is summed up in the picture below:

According to the majority of the unbelieving western world, orthodox Evangelical Christians are bigoted, hateful, intolerant, jerks because we view marriage in a biblical way.  If we carry this argument (that we hate gay people because the Bible says it is a sin) to it’s logical conclusion  we come up with following:

Polygamy is a sin. So we must hate the state of Utah.

Prostitution is a sin.  So we must hate Nevada, the Netherlands and Thailand – and maybe even Canada after today.

Extra marital sex is a sin. So we must hate approximately 60% of married heterosexual men.

Premarital sex is a sin.  So we must hate 75% of the  world.

We believe masturbation is a sin. So we must hate 90% of the world.

We believe looking with lust at someone is a sin.  So we must hate everyone…

We believe that taking the Lord’s Name in vain is a sin, so we must hate every person who ever said “Oh My God,” texted an “OMG,” or muttered “Jesus Christ” in anger…And I believe taking the Lord’s name in vain is just as bad as any sexual sin.  

I have a few homosexual friends. I don’t hate any of them.  I don’t treat them any different than my heterosexual friends.  I have never condemned them.  I have never judged them.  I am not a “Westboro Baptist” style of Christian and I don’t think any of my Christian friends are either.  I believe that those Westboro Baptists are not true Christians, because of the real hate they spew. I have invited (unsuccessfully) some of my gay friends to church (including you Ink) – that would never fly at Westboro. The invitation is still open.

It is, in fact, our place to love all people, to live our lives in such a way that we glorify God and show the love of and light of Christ to all people.  To bring the gospel  to our unchristian friends – gay or straight.  I don’t hate them, quite the opposite actually.  And my gay friends know where I stand.

Right Ink?

We stand firmly on the Bible. When asked directly about a particular topic I will state what I believe about that topic. But I won’t belittle or judge. And you know what?

To my Christian brothers and sisters, you keep loving  your unbelieving friends.  Don’t try to change people. You can’t change people – only God can. So share the gospel and live as light and salt. We are not “superior” to anyone.  We are sinners in need of a saviour just like everyone else.  

Now to A&E and the rest of the liberal left wing that is promulgating this so called “tolerant” world view.  Tolerance is your catch phrase.   Tolerance is defined as a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own.  But are you tolerant of my opinions?  My religion? Of Mr Duck Commander? Unfortunately it is you who is intolerant.

To the left wing media, please stop trying to cause controversy by asking high-profile Christians questions that you already the know the answer to.  Let me clarify it for you: Yes Christians believe all sex outside of consensual heterosexual monogamous marriage is a sin.

So is saying “OMG.”

All we ask is that you be tolerant of our beliefs.