Flying the Gay Old Skies

*Surprising to most, I don't despise homosexuals on any level, unlike many of my Christian brethren.*

Um, your first column and you're already painting your "Christian brethern" with a big fat sterotyping brush.

"Despise"? What a crock. Christians disapprove of the lifestyle and think its immoral. Saying christians "despise" gays is simply adding fuel to the fire of homosexual activists who's entire argument is "CHristians don't approve so they must hate gays".

I love how you didn't want to pile on gays in your column but you have no problem misrepresenting your "fellow christians". Welcome to TH, I suggest you make a more concerted effort to not alienate your potential readers (many of whom are your "christian brethern").

Matt, Kelley doesn't think that Christians who don't approve of homosexuals "must hate gays" and her comments don't give any credence to that argument either. She is aware, however, as I'm sure you are, that some Christians take the idea of disapproval too far--that's all. I can't blame her for wanting to separate from that.

She herself is a devout Christian, who has deliberately sought out a Christian organization for summer employment. Let's applaud that, because it's not common among many young people today.

Thanks for welcoming her-- I invite you to come back throughout the summer and see how her writing and perhaps her own opinions develop.

I'm kind of surprised Southwest is doing this. http://the-hase-times.blogspot.com/

Kelley, as a Christian, I agree completely with your views on G/L. When I pitch your blog on my own site, one reason I'll praise you for avoiding the usual slogan-ridden approach favored by a few on TH. Beware of terms like "agenda" and even "liberal," which can be buzz words for prejudice. Other terms I avoid are "feminism" and "amnesty." I'm not saying never to use the terms, but only to do so carefully. There is no single "homosexual agenda" as far as I've been able to determine. Also, feminists (two of my daughters probably would qualify) come in various forms. The use of such terms usually signals a desire to avoid debating specific issues. In other words, calling people certain names is supposed to be enough. It isn't. If we disagree with people, we need to identify exactly what our point is. Otherwise, we're just playing bumper-sticker politics, which can be a very depressing game.

Loving the sinner but hating the sin is something that is difficult for some Christians to do because they have never been trained up in the way of the Lord. Or, they have been trained up either in; doctrine forgetting love, or love forgetting doctrine. Baby Christians (a state of maturiy, not age) need our assistance to be trained up as followers of Christ not purveyors of hate.

Ironically, it is this repuation (as purveyors of hate) that will be used against us in the near future. In fact, it has already begun.