So Called Christians

I wake up every morning to the sounds of "Doug and Vincy in the Morning."http://wfrn.com/ They are based out of Elkhart, IN. That's right, "Christian" talk radio. Today especially peeked my interest because I found out that students are leading a movement across Indiana and Michigan. This is what the news portion of the web said:

"A number of high schools this month will be observing what's called a "Day of Silence" to promote the homosexual lifestyle. 16 Indiana high schools and dozens in Michigan are on a list supporting the "Day of Silence" on April 25th when some students are expected to stay quiet all day while passing out gay rights literature to classmates. Penn, Warsaw and South Bend Riley High Schools are on that list, but there could be more. Micah Clark of the American Family Association of Indiana says in many cases, student groups are running this in the schools. Clark says if you have a child in high school, you should call your school to see if it's supporting the "Day of Silence," and if so, ask if you child can get an excused absence on the 25th to stay home." WFRN

This is what I heard this morning. Of course I know what you are thinking, "If you don't like it change the station." Well sometimes there is only one "Christian" music station to listen to. I like the music and I get a laugh out of the message. What I found most appealing today was the callers response to what was being broadcast. All of the callers mysteriously agree with what Doug, Vincy, and WFRN have to say. But what I heard was even better. I heard about 4 calls before I headed off to work. All of them stated that their children would be attending school that day because they are secure in knowing the truth..(i.e. that homosexuality in there eyes was a sin). I however saw it as an opportunity and thought to myself...maybe these poorly informed children of these poorly informed parents will somehow see the light this day. So I ask that all who are reading this, which probably isn't very many people. If you are the praying type, which I've become more so recently, say a little prayer on this day to hopefully open these peoples eyes.

One of the callers I really felt like sitting down and finding out more of what they believed and where the were coming from. She said that we need to care for these people because they are hurting and need us to show them the way. Well she's was half right. They are hurting...but we certainly don't need to show them the way. Except for showing them that true Christian except them for who they are and how God created them. And we need to do what Jesus taught us.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

Regardless of what people think about what is right and wrong. Most importantly we need to love. If the "right" think it's a sin then they still need to listen to what we are taught in Mathew 7:1-2.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

I thought this was fitting...it has a new meaning for our time. Especially when you look at the similarities between what the people of color have struggled through and the GLBT community are struggling through. Martin Luther King Jr., if he were alive today, would be fighting for the GLBT community. In honor and memory of Martin Luther King I've included this snippet of his famous I have a dream speech.

"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

It has new meaning when you look at it in today's terms and circumstances. Much like the bible. It has a whole new meaning when we do what the bible was meant for and discuss how it relates to our world today. This has been done for centuries. Since the beginning of the bible. How can anyone say now that the bible is literal? The bible is supposed to be discussed and wrestled with. It is suppose to be translated/interpreted; and thank God it has been. I don't know how to read Greek or Hebrew. I myself choose to study and ask questions rather than be spoon fed my religion. I just hope and pray that more people will do the same. So I chose to be a follower of Christ, not a Christian; there are too many negative connotations that go along with that label.