What is Hate?

[The following is not a regular family update, but a few thoughts related to the ongoing homosexual debate]

Twenty-two years ago I was in 9th grade when a small group came to my high school in Canada to ‘educate’ us on political correctness.  I remember little of the group, only that they were marched out of the school after their true intent was revealed.  They were pro-gay supporters.  They were there to sow seeds toward a future harvest of liberation.  It was then I was introduced to the use of ‘intolerance’, ‘hate speech’ and ‘homophobia’ in this moral debate.

I remember thinking, “I’m afraid of gays and lesbians?  Really?”  If I embrace a traditional view of marriage, I’m a hateful person?  Wow, I had no idea!  Like most Christians, we’ve come to grips with this attack, mindless chatter, but I’m amazed the discussion hasn’t matured much in +20yrs.

Since then, like communist propaganda, the homosexual agenda has effectively controlled the debate.  Traditional views have been put on the defensive, enticed into ineffective debate.  Their rhetoric hasn’t changed in +20yrs, we’re haters, intolerant, and homophobic.

I highly recommend the book “Tactics” by Greg Khoukl.  It’s an enjoyable and encouraging take on apologetics.  In it the author challenges every believer that the most effective way to get to the heart of the issue is to ask questions.  “Never make a statement when a question will do.”  It’s a subtle move, but it puts the name calling and emotionally charged attackers on the defensive, and calls them to use reason and logic.

With the recent flare up in the cultural wars, which somehow has put a tasty chicken sandwich at the center of it, I’ve been re-asking myself, “What is the best question to ask in this debate?”  Many are sending statements, standing up for what they believe in (never has it tasted so good), but what about their accusations?  Are they valid?  Do we hate?  Are we intolerant?

According to pro-gay movement and their worldview, anyone that doesn’t accept the homosexual lifestyle as morally acceptable, is guilty of hate.  After all, if we don’t tolerate this particular behavior, we are discriminating against them, and discrimination isn’t a loving act.   The reason behind these statements sound solid, logical, and seems impossible to penetrate without sounding like a bible thumping neanderthal.

Problem though.  We don’t have their worldview.  While the harmonious tolerance of all mankind they may trumpet as their clarion call, we operate from a different perspective.  We believe in a Creator.  They worship the created (man) as the ultimate source of intellect and morality, we believe we that only God is all wise, and his ways objectively good as seen through the person of Jesus Christ.

According to God’s Word, homosexuals are sinners like everyone else.  All of us have sinned, all of us have been led astray through temptation and various lusts.  We all need a Savior, forgiveness, and restoration. God doesn’t discriminate, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, all.  According to the biblical worldview, rebellion to God’s way separates us from God, and God is the source of eternal life.  To embrace any sin as acceptable, or to tolerate any spiritually injurous act that could damn our spiritual state for eternity is not only unloving, it’s insane!

Who hates homosexuals?  Those that embrace it even though it brings great harm to the individual!  You can’t love someone if you ignore their spiritual good.  We are ultimately loving every sinner by taking God’s side (and the sinners) by standing for the only Truth that will heal and restore them to the Father.

Let me ask you this.  Is it loving to allow a blind man to wander into oncoming traffic?  Is it hateful to warn them of the impending danger?  Is it loving to rejoice in the blind mans plight, and celebrate his freedom as the cars rush toward his ignorant frame?  Those that ‘tolerate’ and aren’t ‘phobic’ (fearful) of the homosexuals spiritual condition, are ultimately being hateful insomuch as they are rejecting God’s plan of salvation for themselves, and others.  They are not looking out for the highest good of themselves, or others according to the Christian worldview.

We are spiritual creatures.  We were created by and for God.  He sets the terms, yet gives us freedom to embrace or rebel against them.  That’s the nature of love, it’s free, and chooses the ultimate good of the other person.  I love God, and I love mankind by wanting their highest good.  I want them to be saved from the highway of sin and destruction.  My stand against any overt sin, according to God’s Word is for my own good and spiritual condition.  My stand against the sin in others is for their highest good as well, it’s the most loving thing I can do.  I want them to be free from sin, and I would hope that others love me in this very same way.  Why?  Because Jesus Christ died for our sin, and frees us from it’s power for all that repent and believe in Him.  Everyone can know freedom, this is the truth of the gospel message and to soften it or ignore it in the name of ‘tolerance’ is wicked and a hateful act.

All that embrace homosexualism as acceptable, are hateful people according to my worldview.  They are not caring for the spiritual condition of the individual, they arrogantly think they know more than the Creator.  Those that embrace this lifestyle are guilty of hate.  They are actively hating themselves by rejecting God’s authority, they are not seeking their highest good but sowing to their own judgment.  They are hating others that live this particular lifestyle by helping to convince them they will somehow escape the wrath of God upon sin.

So what would be that question?  There are a zillion angles to this debate, and I’m sure there are many better than this, but here is where I would start if I were engaged with a hateful pro-gay supporter:

“What is Hate?”
“How do they define love?”

It would move the conversation away from the memorized mantra, and towards their personal worldview.  It would force a reasonable conversation about faith and the nature of real love.  God hates sin, and that is good.  We hate, or should, the same things God does.  Can we truly be loving if we takes sides against God, who is the ultimate source of love and good?

I think in the end, we’ll find the debate will often center around what and who we choose to love ultimately.. a much more satisfying discussion than the ridiculous name calling both sides can be guilty of.

Some other questions might be:

“Do you tolerate everything?”

“Do you think anything is right or wrong?  By what standard do you judge it?”

“Do you believe your view is superior to mine?  Isn’t that discrimination or being intolerant too?

Or we could just keep eating chicken, I have to stay it’s made me crave it more than normal over here in Ukraine – we love that place, for it’s yummy chicken and we appreciate their values too.   Keep loving God, upholding His values, and sharing the gospel in word and deed to every lost soul.  The distinction of the sin doesn’t alter the grace to forgive it – God is a merciful God for all that call on Him.

Bruce & Deb Crowe
Missionaries – Ukraine