I too lived in the south, Springdale, Arkansas, when
segregation was not only rampant but the law, and many white people hated
blacks. I was not quite a teenager but I understood how sinful it was. In
Springdale no black was allowed at all. I once saw attendants at a filling
station turn and walk inside when an African American family drove up for gas;
the same thing happened when they drove across the street. But this is not the
same thing at all as this article, When
‘Religious Liberty’ Was Used To Justify Racism Instead Of Homophobia, portrays
it.[1]
I saw the article because the Presbyterian Voices for Justice posted
it on their Facebook page. The article
itself is overshadowed by a picture that is supposed to remind everyone that
Christians who don’t want to engage in ceremonies that they believe to be sin
are like these bigoted KKK people.
They have not turned anyone away from essential needs and would not. They wouldn't refuse to sit beside them and intend to be friends.
But the truly hateful thing to me is the way Presbyterian
Voices of Justice uses such articles to malign those they supposedly believe to
be brothers and sisters. In this context the call for unity and reconciliation in the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is absurd.
I do have a few suggestions for those being forced to participate
in ceremonies that are sinful. Perhaps one could say to each person as they pin
a corsage or flower on before the wedding, Jesus loves you and died for you.
Perhaps as the baker carefully sets up the cake they can softly sing "Oh to
be Like Thee Blessed Redeemer… (pure as thou art.)"
Perhaps as the photographer moves about taking pictures ….well
on that one I have no idea. But perhaps you have a suggestion. Of course, I am
not serious. But here is a serious suggestion, that some organization, a
group of churches or others, set up an account whose sole purpose would
be to aide individuals who are fined for refusing to go against their faith.
And let us pray for Presbyterian Voices For Justice. I have seen some good
things on their site such as tributes to African American women and quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
But not this one:
The Church confesses ...She has found no strong and effective answer to the contempt for chastity and to the proclamation of sexual Libertinism. All she has achieved has been an occasional expression of moral indignation. She has rendered herself guilty of the loss of the purity and soundness of youth. She has failed to proclaim with sufficient emphasis that our bodies belong to the Body of Christ. (Ethics)
[1]
For a good explanation of what the Arizona bill was about read: No,
this is not Jim Crow for gays, Part Two.
You know, that quote from Bonhoeffer is true. The church "has found no strong and effective answer to the contempt for chastity and to the proclamation of sexual Libertinism."
ReplyDeleteSo much so that one wonders if there really is one. Many have concluded there is none.
"All she has achieved has been an occasional expression of moral indignation." He was right again. And here we are, eighty years later, and still we remain fixated on moral indignation.
Bonhoeffer was confessing his and the church's sins. He was not speculating whether or not there was an answer. And yes many have so concluded. But not Bonhoeffer or he would not have spoken of the church's failure to "proclaim with sufficient emphasis that our bodies belong to the Body of Christ." It is the lack of the sufficient emphasis of the biblical mandate that our bodies belong to Christ and his body, not to the culture.
ReplyDeletePlease do not comment without leaving your full name, city and state.