I find it interesting and completely hypocritical that some yell the loudest about this area of culture, all the while ignoring other blatant cultural atrocities. Why pick on this sin as opposed to others? I have never seen picket signs and petitions protesting overeating or gossip or adultery.

Most won’t find it too shocking to learn that the “area of culture” Craig is referring to here is the homosexual community. I think if we are honest, we could say that the Christian community as a whole has been mean, uncaring, unloving and quite un-Christlike towards the homosexual community – regardless of our differences or beliefs. I do think Craig is right in this, we have picked on this more than anything else (outside of the abortion issue) for awhile now. I too, have yet to see someone picket overeating, gossip, adultery, speaking truth without love, pride, etc… is that because those are less grievous in our “sin” ranking system?

There is a way to disagree (right now at least) and hold the views that we do without being unloving, disrespectful, hateful, etc… I believe we are called to be different in how we respond and treat people – I’m afraid we have credited the reactions of people too often to persecution or not liking our beliefs, and not enough to a response to the lack of respect and love we show to others. Sure, there are some that don’t like the beliefs that we hold from the Bible or don’t buy into God/Jesus… there will always be that. I’m just not sure it ever excuses us from treating others with respect and love, not with malice and prideful judgment as if we somehow merit more of God’s love than someone else… we’ve all been invited to a party, a life, that we did not earn no matter how well you think you live.

He said that i, as a pastor, would be more embraced by the porn industry than he would be at a church… ‘My world loved you more than your world loves me.’ sad, but true.

These two comments came from Ron Jeremy, the Porn King. Is there some truth to this? I think there is. Craig talks a lot about how skeptical those in the porn industry have been of him and the XXXChurch, but he has still found this to be more true in his world. They have been far more respectful, open to discussion, willing to share deep and personal information and take a look at Craig’s message of Jesus’ love and grace for them – than Ron has experienced with many Christians.

It is easy to group people as a whole, and I know many Christians/Churches who would welcome someone like Ron Jeremy in and be Jesus to him. And I know there will be some who want nothing to do with God or what Craig/XXXChurch are doing and saying. But since I follow Jesus, my focus is on our response as Christians to those who have not bought into the whole God/Jesus thing (for whatever reason).

Truly think about it… How would you respond if Ron Jeremy showed up to your church, small group, sunday school, home church, outreach event, singles group, etc…

Ok, so you think you can stomach it (as if that’s all we are called to do… stomach it…)

What if…

…President Obama walked in. I’ve seen many of my facebook friends wish for his personal (not just political) demise, or he be shipped off to Haiti, or even wish for God to take him too like Michael Jackson or Farrah Faucet. Oh, many times in joking, of course… Most would at least show respect for his position, but what about him as a human – just like you or me. There’s a big difference between disagreeing with his policies or direction, and tearing down and wishing ill on a another human being and his family…

… how about if Adam Lambert showed up. Saw the boards light up last year with praise to God for “making” Adam lose American Idol because he’s gay, even though his singing talent was immense (even if you don’t like him, he can sing, you know he can if you’re honest… yes Kris can sing pretty good too – but this isn’t about him really) and American Idol is not some Christian show on Daystar or anything.

… or how about Ted Haggard. Many in the Christian community treated him as a Christian celebrity until his stuff all came out… and now? We tend to treat Pastors as celebrities, and then when they fall down somehow, we love to turn as quick as we can and distance ourselves from them. “No, no I never liked Pastor so and so… I knew he was no good.” But weren’t you guys good friends, spending a bunch of time together? “No, I saw through him right away – I was just trying to help him. We weren’t really friends, I was just being nice.”

… on a less celebrity level. How do/would you handle a divorced person? a person with alcohol addiction? or drugs, pain medication addiction? or porn/sex addiction? a single person? a skeptic? an illegal alien? a democrat? a liberal? a conservative? a republican? those of the Islamic faith? or Buddhist? Catholic? New-ager? Hippie? …Jesus? This list could go on and on… I’m still worried we’ll look at this list and not really search ourselves and think about how we truly do respond to these people around us already.

How would Jesus treat these people…? how would he treat you? how does He see you right now…

and before I move on, the book quote above (and the next one) made me think of my own biases and judgments of people. What would I do if Rush Limbaugh or Sarah Palin or Steve Munsey / Mike Murdock, or on a more personal note… a former friend, former church members who aren’t fond of me or my past life (or the other way around), people I’ve wronged or sinned with/against, a strongly conservative person, a harsh and judgmental person, etc…

… which leads me to the last quote:

continue to "part 3"
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