Christian's message worn at Poway High - This story disappoints me on two levels. The first level is that Poway Unified School District only allows one side of a controversial issue. Why can't someone display a different point of view?
The next level is that a Christian teenager (common parents) is making a big deal over homosexuality instead of the cause of Christ. I believe this type of behavior is not loving and does nothing to attract others to Christ. There is nothing wrong with believing that homosexuality is wrong and being against an agenda but there are better ways to approach this issue. The Bible condemns many types of actions including homosexuality. As the song goes "and they'll know we are Christians by our love". Let that song ring true.
UPDATE: In the comments section "Tom" asked some very good questions. Here's the comment, in italics, with my responses in yellow:
Tim, I know this is a sensitive, tough issue. And I don't want to be a horse's butt in your blog, your home. But let me ask a couple of tough questions.
Tom, your comments are always welcome, including the tough questions.
---You mention there are better ways to approach this issue. What are they?
Not sure but the previous approaches have only driven people away from Christ. Think of the hateful "God hates ***s" folks. I believe many homosexuals believe that Evangelicals all feel that God (and Evangelicals) hate them. I don't have a great answer on what could be done but I do know that the answer must contain the word "love". This is different than tolerance or even acceptance. I can love my sons even when I disapprove of their behavior.
---If homosexuality is truly sinful, what's wrong with a Christian putting it on a t-shirt? Suppose Chase put "Illegal downloading of mp3's is a sin."? Would that be bad?
Obviously this is a hot button issue and much more personal than the illegal dowloading of music issue.
The guy is taking a mainstream Evangelical Christian stand on a big issue for our times. Why shy away?
Christ didn't go around pointing out everyone's sins. He loved them, ministered to them and told them to sin know more. He didn't lay out all their sins as all sins are the same in God's eyes.
And my theory here (if you haven't guessed) is I'm wondering if the time is approaching when it's embarrassing for an Evangelical Christian to publicly take the mainstream Evangelical position on gay folks.
What's embarrassing (and ineffective) is the stance we Evangelicals embrace too much is to talk about sin then Christ, not the other way around. For us, from a spiritual perspective, a person can be the most moral person on the face of the earth but be bound for eternal separation from God without Christ. The other aspect is that many of us believe that the embrace of homosexuality as normal behavior is not good for society. Just like many people hold other moral views that influence what they believe is good for society, Evangelicals do the same.
And personally, I think it's a good thing if there's a tinge of embarrassment, a bit of reticence.
It looks like the ACLU also came to the young man's defense.
http://www.nsba.org/site/doc_cosa.asp?TRACKID=&CID=488&DID=34019
"Jordan Budd, legal director of the San Diego chapter of the ACLU...Mr. Budd contends that Chase has the right to express his political and religious view unless the school district can demonstrate his speech is disruptive of the educational process....
Sometimes the ACLU even gets it right :). Still hate the whole idea of the shirt.
Posted by: Tim at April 6, 2005 08:21 PMWhen I first read this, I thought it was going to be one of Roger Hedgecock's "Straight Pride" shirts, which would've made the school's decision even more rediculous. However, after seeing the picture of the shirt, I would say your assessment of both sides is pretty much on target.
Posted by: VD at April 6, 2005 10:17 PMTim, I know this is a sensitive, tough issue. And I don't want to be a horse's butt in your blog, your home. But let me ask a couple of tough questions.
---You mention there are better ways to approach this issue. What are they?
---If homosexuality is truly sinful, what's wrong with a Christian putting it on a t-shirt? Suppose Chase put "Illegal downloading of mp3's is a sin."? Would that be bad?
The guy is taking a mainstream Evangelical Christian stand on a big issue for our times. Why shy away?
And my theory here (if you haven't guessed) is I'm wondering if the time is approaching when it's embarrassing for an Evangelical Christian to publicly take the mainstream Evangelical position on gay folks.
And personally, I think it's a good thing if there's a tinge of embarrassment, a bit of reticence.
Posted by: Tom at April 7, 2005 08:51 PMIn response to: "What's embarrassing (and ineffective) is the stance we Evangelicals embrace too much is to talk about sin then Christ, not the other way around."
I must comment on this excellent point. This sin first, Christ later creates problems not only for sinners, but for back-sliders as well. I know a number of 'cold' Christrians that have strayed from their walk and their church communities, and it is uncanny how many say much the same thing; "I have to get my life together and then get back to church."
Why on earth would that be the almost universal perception?
The whole issue over homosexuality is similar to the issue over abortion. Is it more important to lobby an apostate government to outlaw certain sinful behavior or is it the will of God to lead sinners to repentance (thus making laws irrelevant)? I think reducing the power of God to the power of our lawmakers and school boards is the wrong course of action.
Posted by: VD at April 8, 2005 09:44 AM
