They’ve got a point. The Orlando shooting was an act of terror, but it was also a hate crime against the LGBT community—a hatred that is often bolstered by the religious community. How so?
I can’t speak for other major religions such as Islam or Judaism or Hinduism, but I can speak for Christianity and am able to say that it is wrong and categorically anti-Christ-like for any Christian to hate or even condemn individuals and members of the LGBT community (remember Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery when she was about to be stoned to death for her sin! See the Gospel according to John 8:1-11).
Christians disagree as to weather or not the LGBT lifestyle should be called sin and if so to what degree. In fact, many Christian churches and denominations are currently experiencing deeply divisive conflict over this issue.
Nevertheless, the one thing that all Christians, including their churches and denominations, ought to agree upon is that Christians are not to be a people of hate nor are to promote, encourage, preach/teach, or model hatred toward any person or group of persons. Why? Because such teaching or action is contrary to the teaching and practice of Christ; for without question, Jesus extended tender compassion, merciful love, and redeeming grace to all people (ALL!).
Yet, there is always some extremist pastor out there who passionately and gleefully teaches hateful condemnation against members of the LGBT community—which directly or indirectly gives tacit approval to hateful acts of violence against them. This is wrong and should not be accepted or encouraged by any who identify themselves as followers of Christ—as Christian.
Evangelical Christians may feel a bit defensive here, saying, “‘Hate the sin; love the sinner.’ We don’t hate the person; we just hate the lifestyle.” I submit that this response is too easily and perfunctorily said, sounding more like a backhanded way of justifying the continuation of hate. Few Christians actually seem to live-up to even that much. In terms of spirit and attitude, how exactly do you divide the LGBT person from the person’s LGBT lifestyle when deciding to compassionately “love the sinner” while vehemently attacking the sin with hateful spite and excoriating condemnation in one’s heart? We’re talking about the attitude or spirit of one’s heart.
Don’t misunderstand, I am not arguing for the lessoning or weakening of one’s Biblical or Theological conviction(s). Still, good solid Bible believing Christians disagree on this issue. So we must hold our conviction(s) with courage and sound integrity, but also with humility. For, remember that, come Judgment Day, Jesus will focus more on what one’s heart was like (loving and compassionate?), rather than on what one’s mind gave rational assent to (Biblical theology). Jesus leaves us no room to harbor hatred of any kind for anyone. Love is His greatest commandment, which we, His followers, must follow and practice toward all.
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