I received this e-mail today from Drew Snyder, and found it very interesting and intelligent. Do I agree? Not with all of it. But, to me, Drew approaches this issue in a righteous manner … considering that we are on opposite sides of the spectrum (For the record, Drew gave me permission to run it):
I’m not sure if you remember me from the last time this conversation came up (about homosexual couples being barred from adopting in Iowa, I think), but I thought I’d offer my two cents as a committed Christian and as a minister.
One of the things that makes this debate so hard from our side is this whole myth of us living in a ‘Christian nation.’ Â We don’t, and we never have (we live in a religiously neutral nation that does not impede on my Christianity), but so many people try to perpetuate the myth because it’s more comfortable to do that than to do what Jesus actually called us to. Â The fact is that my life’s mission is going to inherently offend you, as well as other people: Jesus has called His people to convert non-believers into faith in Him. Â If that’s not stepping on people’s toes, I don’t know what is! Â I’ve personally seen, though, that many Christians would rather legislate morality than make disciples, because it’s easier and it helps them sleep at night. Â It’s really that simple – many feel that if this is a ‘Christian’ nation with ‘Christian’ laws, then their job is over. Â Unfortunately, not only is this not even close to correct, but it works in the opposite way: this homosexual marriage business has done more to hurt the cause of Christ than anything in my lifetime (though I’m not very old – I’ll turn 25 next week). In other words, the Church has traded its mission for Washington’s, and no one ever asked us to do that.
If Jesus were here today, I firmly believe that He would have the response that I have tried to have (hence, my position): I simply don’t care what the law is. Â Jesus lived in an occupied nation where the very right to live freely was taken from His people, and yet, His main motivation was not to change the laws of the land, but to bring spiritual freedom. Â I believe the Bible teaches that homosexual actions (not feelings or disposition) are sexual sins, just like sex outside of marriage, lust, pornography, and a litany of other sins that good old straight people commit. Â What is never brought up is that these actions are all basically brought under the term ‘sexual sin,’ and that the very people pointing finger are guilty of the same sins. Â That’s why we (and by we, I mean all of us – gay, straight, or otherwise) need Jesus so desperately; He loves and loved in a way that we should be striving for, and we should be reflecting.
That’s my opinion, and I’m well aware it’s nowhere near what you believe, and that’s fine – we all choose our own path, and God will sort it out in the end. Â I think that at the end of the day, the truth is the truth regardless of legislation and regardless of who is misrepresenting things. Â I simply don’t care whether or not two homosexuals get married or if they don’t; I care whether or not they know that God cares about them even though they are flawed just like the rest of us. Â If that was our attitude, not only would you be happy (since it would undoubtedly be legal), but I think Christians would be too (since we would be doing what God wants instead of what’s easier).
I only wish more people felt the same.
