Dear Miss. Jackson,
Earlier today, I managed to catch your interview concerning the remarks you made on your blog about the homosexual kiss on the television show "Glee", and your opinion that the airing of the kiss is part of a liberal agenda to lure children away from Jesus Christ into lives of debauchery and sin. You claimed that the airing of the exchange was "sickening", and spent the remainder of the interview quoting scripture, and denying that the broadcast of such programs is of any benefit to adolescents who are discovering their own homosexual identities. Having been a Conservative at one point in my life, I understand your position, since it is popular amongst modern Republicans who self-identify as members of the Religious Right or Moral Majority. Yet as a Christian who, because of their convictions and faith in Christ Jesus and our Heavenly Father, stepped away from that political, cultural, social, and spiritual movement; I have to respectfully disagree.
First of all, like many Conservative Christians, you believe homosexuality to be a choice, and while there are cases where a person has chosen to engage in a same-sex relationship later in life that isn't the norm. Many homosexuals will tell you that they have felt their particular attraction their entire lives, and their orientation is not the result of some conscious or unconscious decision, paganism, deviltry, deception, or whatever else you'd like to use to explain their preference. It's there, it's always there, and because of how our society is set up they face a lifetime of ridicule, harassment, and rejection. Throughout the latter part of last year as well as the beginning of this one, the news was inundated with reports of homosexual teenagers committing suicide due to harassment from other youth and adults for their orientation. Harassment that was so severe, they decided to take their own lives rather then endure the taunting, the rejection, the isolation, the fear, the derision, and other forms of abuse heaped upon them for being gay.
I'm sorry, but to agitate a person to the point of suicide is neither humane nor Christian. I realize you would then suggest Bible camps that are designed to help homosexual youth, the famous "pray the gay away" programs, yet in reality they simply don't work. In some cases, there is a "conversion" to heterosexuality, in the majority of them? No. You cannot pray the gay away Miss. Jackson, you cannot cure it, it's not a disease, it's not a psychological disorder, or a sign of a failing spiritual condition. The majority of gays who do "convert" usually do so to end rejection, to gain acceptance and love from their friends and families, and obtain the same treatment and respect afforded to those who are "normal". It's called acting Miss. Jackson, I'm sure you're familiar with this concept.
Therefore, let's go to the scripture itself, shall we? I'm sure you can throw Romans 8:12 out there with the best of them, as well as Paul's writings on the subject, or any of the writings included in Leviticus when Moses gave the law concerning human sexuality. Keep in mind, that's the same law that calls for the stoning or poisoning of women suspected of committing adultery, eye-for-an-eye settlements of disputes, and other penalties that Jesus later denounced for their oppressive and abusive nature. However, when you research the context of any of those writings they were concerned with the presence of temple prostitutes who would have sex with anything with a pulse out of service to whatever pagan god they were worshiping, and the main criticism of homosexuality stems from its associations with pagan cultures. Also, while the Bible is inspired by God, some of what is written in the text is cultural, and applies to ancient Middle Eastern life at that time. For example, Paul criticizes men with long hair, Paul was a Roman citizen, and thus had short hair because to have it long was a sign of barbarianism. Remember, Romans looked down on the peoples they conquered, and tried to forcibly assimilate then into Roman culture and society. Plus, this may have been a dig at his rival Peter whom history describes as having long hair, possibly dreadlocks down his back. Either way, having short hair is not a top priority when it comes to getting right with God.
I'd also direct you to Matthew 19:10-12 where Jesus heals the servant of a Roman Centurion. Doesn't sound like much, right? Just another miracle, right? Wrong-o. The man in question was, according to the ancient Greek, a pais which depending on context could mean a son or boy, a servant, or a male lover. In Rome, if a man who was gay wanted to have the equivalent of a spouse, he would usually purchase one, usually a teenager to serve that purpose. Therefore, looking at the history and culture of that era, the nature of the Centurion's plea for the healing of his pais, and the way he reacted when Jesus intended to come to his house it's likely that his man was his homosexual lover. Given his familiarity with Judaic traditions and law, it is understandable that he wouldn't want a herd of Jews coming into his home, and learning the true nature of his relationship with his pais. However Jesus, being the Son of God, already knew, and healed the man anyway. Therefore, if God is so down on homosexuality, and because of his nature cannot condone nor commit a sin then why did he show mercy and heal the gay lover of a pagan Roman soldier? A sworn enemy of the Jews, and someone living a lifestyle contrary to their traditions, laws, and fundamental beliefs?
I realize, you could argue against this translation, but it doesn't change the very real evidence located in the Bible we both read and follow.
This brings me to my final point which is your claim that due to the Liberal agendas of homosexuality and the like being put forth in our culture and media, God is unable to bless our great nation, and therefore we are falling into physical and spiritual ruin. I'd beg to differ on that point given the fact that those who are claiming to be our spiritual and bureaucratic leaders are engaging in acts that are the epitome of sin. Miss. Jackson, God isn't having a hard time blessing our country due to gays running rampant, He has a problem blessing it due to the hatred, hypocrisy, human rights violations, oppression, manipulation, witchery using the word of God to twist the minds of others, and other socially accepted institutions of sin that are racking our government and society.
Keep in mind, you're a member of the Tea Party, the same organization who's members have been caught multiple times shouting racist invectives at ethnics and homosexuals, and even going so far as to blatantly lie in order to further their own agendas. Remember James O'Keefe and ACORN, or is that okay so long as he does "God's work" by undermining the evil Leftist subversives within this country? Before you criticize others for having a splinter in their eye, take the tree out of yours, and look around at what is really going on.
Keep in mind, I used to be you. I used to be a member of the Republican Party, I used to be a Conservative, and then I made the "mistake" of asking God to cleanse me of all prejudice, sin, and deception. I asked Him to show me the truth, the REAL truth of the world, and to grant me the ability to see things for what they really are.
One month later, I left all of that behind in favor of God, and following Him in all ways while living by His truths.
In retrospect, Miss. Jackson, that was the best "mistake" I've ever made, and I pray that someday you too will allow God to show you the truth, and speak into your heart the love and compassion that is missing from the majority of the Christian faith. If I, a woman who once sinned against others out of ignorance can come to the truth and forgiveness of God, so can you. I'll leave you with that thought.
Sincerely,
Ryan Jaimz Knight
A Liberal and A Christian
***
Tyler Clementi Commits Suicide After Roommate Outs Him On The Internet
http://abcnews.go.com/US/gay-teen-suicide-sparks-debate/story?id=11788128
Thirteen-Year-Old Asher Brown Commits Suicide After Being Harassed for Being Gay
http://www.autostraddle.com/13-year-old-gay-suicide-60960/
Praying The Gay Away Does Not Work
http://www.thegaymanifesto.com/2010/11/27/ex-gay-no-way-conversion-therapy-does-not-work/
Jesus Heals A Gay Man
http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/gay_couple.html
Victoria Jackson vs. Glee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N07o-ZSBQA
Earlier today, I managed to catch your interview concerning the remarks you made on your blog about the homosexual kiss on the television show "Glee", and your opinion that the airing of the kiss is part of a liberal agenda to lure children away from Jesus Christ into lives of debauchery and sin. You claimed that the airing of the exchange was "sickening", and spent the remainder of the interview quoting scripture, and denying that the broadcast of such programs is of any benefit to adolescents who are discovering their own homosexual identities. Having been a Conservative at one point in my life, I understand your position, since it is popular amongst modern Republicans who self-identify as members of the Religious Right or Moral Majority. Yet as a Christian who, because of their convictions and faith in Christ Jesus and our Heavenly Father, stepped away from that political, cultural, social, and spiritual movement; I have to respectfully disagree.
First of all, like many Conservative Christians, you believe homosexuality to be a choice, and while there are cases where a person has chosen to engage in a same-sex relationship later in life that isn't the norm. Many homosexuals will tell you that they have felt their particular attraction their entire lives, and their orientation is not the result of some conscious or unconscious decision, paganism, deviltry, deception, or whatever else you'd like to use to explain their preference. It's there, it's always there, and because of how our society is set up they face a lifetime of ridicule, harassment, and rejection. Throughout the latter part of last year as well as the beginning of this one, the news was inundated with reports of homosexual teenagers committing suicide due to harassment from other youth and adults for their orientation. Harassment that was so severe, they decided to take their own lives rather then endure the taunting, the rejection, the isolation, the fear, the derision, and other forms of abuse heaped upon them for being gay.
I'm sorry, but to agitate a person to the point of suicide is neither humane nor Christian. I realize you would then suggest Bible camps that are designed to help homosexual youth, the famous "pray the gay away" programs, yet in reality they simply don't work. In some cases, there is a "conversion" to heterosexuality, in the majority of them? No. You cannot pray the gay away Miss. Jackson, you cannot cure it, it's not a disease, it's not a psychological disorder, or a sign of a failing spiritual condition. The majority of gays who do "convert" usually do so to end rejection, to gain acceptance and love from their friends and families, and obtain the same treatment and respect afforded to those who are "normal". It's called acting Miss. Jackson, I'm sure you're familiar with this concept.
Therefore, let's go to the scripture itself, shall we? I'm sure you can throw Romans 8:12 out there with the best of them, as well as Paul's writings on the subject, or any of the writings included in Leviticus when Moses gave the law concerning human sexuality. Keep in mind, that's the same law that calls for the stoning or poisoning of women suspected of committing adultery, eye-for-an-eye settlements of disputes, and other penalties that Jesus later denounced for their oppressive and abusive nature. However, when you research the context of any of those writings they were concerned with the presence of temple prostitutes who would have sex with anything with a pulse out of service to whatever pagan god they were worshiping, and the main criticism of homosexuality stems from its associations with pagan cultures. Also, while the Bible is inspired by God, some of what is written in the text is cultural, and applies to ancient Middle Eastern life at that time. For example, Paul criticizes men with long hair, Paul was a Roman citizen, and thus had short hair because to have it long was a sign of barbarianism. Remember, Romans looked down on the peoples they conquered, and tried to forcibly assimilate then into Roman culture and society. Plus, this may have been a dig at his rival Peter whom history describes as having long hair, possibly dreadlocks down his back. Either way, having short hair is not a top priority when it comes to getting right with God.
I'd also direct you to Matthew 19:10-12 where Jesus heals the servant of a Roman Centurion. Doesn't sound like much, right? Just another miracle, right? Wrong-o. The man in question was, according to the ancient Greek, a pais which depending on context could mean a son or boy, a servant, or a male lover. In Rome, if a man who was gay wanted to have the equivalent of a spouse, he would usually purchase one, usually a teenager to serve that purpose. Therefore, looking at the history and culture of that era, the nature of the Centurion's plea for the healing of his pais, and the way he reacted when Jesus intended to come to his house it's likely that his man was his homosexual lover. Given his familiarity with Judaic traditions and law, it is understandable that he wouldn't want a herd of Jews coming into his home, and learning the true nature of his relationship with his pais. However Jesus, being the Son of God, already knew, and healed the man anyway. Therefore, if God is so down on homosexuality, and because of his nature cannot condone nor commit a sin then why did he show mercy and heal the gay lover of a pagan Roman soldier? A sworn enemy of the Jews, and someone living a lifestyle contrary to their traditions, laws, and fundamental beliefs?
I realize, you could argue against this translation, but it doesn't change the very real evidence located in the Bible we both read and follow.
This brings me to my final point which is your claim that due to the Liberal agendas of homosexuality and the like being put forth in our culture and media, God is unable to bless our great nation, and therefore we are falling into physical and spiritual ruin. I'd beg to differ on that point given the fact that those who are claiming to be our spiritual and bureaucratic leaders are engaging in acts that are the epitome of sin. Miss. Jackson, God isn't having a hard time blessing our country due to gays running rampant, He has a problem blessing it due to the hatred, hypocrisy, human rights violations, oppression, manipulation, witchery using the word of God to twist the minds of others, and other socially accepted institutions of sin that are racking our government and society.
Keep in mind, you're a member of the Tea Party, the same organization who's members have been caught multiple times shouting racist invectives at ethnics and homosexuals, and even going so far as to blatantly lie in order to further their own agendas. Remember James O'Keefe and ACORN, or is that okay so long as he does "God's work" by undermining the evil Leftist subversives within this country? Before you criticize others for having a splinter in their eye, take the tree out of yours, and look around at what is really going on.
Keep in mind, I used to be you. I used to be a member of the Republican Party, I used to be a Conservative, and then I made the "mistake" of asking God to cleanse me of all prejudice, sin, and deception. I asked Him to show me the truth, the REAL truth of the world, and to grant me the ability to see things for what they really are.
One month later, I left all of that behind in favor of God, and following Him in all ways while living by His truths.
In retrospect, Miss. Jackson, that was the best "mistake" I've ever made, and I pray that someday you too will allow God to show you the truth, and speak into your heart the love and compassion that is missing from the majority of the Christian faith. If I, a woman who once sinned against others out of ignorance can come to the truth and forgiveness of God, so can you. I'll leave you with that thought.
Sincerely,
Ryan Jaimz Knight
A Liberal and A Christian
***
Tyler Clementi Commits Suicide After Roommate Outs Him On The Internet
http://abcnews.go.com/US/gay-teen-suicide-sparks-debate/story?id=11788128
Thirteen-Year-Old Asher Brown Commits Suicide After Being Harassed for Being Gay
http://www.autostraddle.com/13-year-old-gay-suicide-60960/
Praying The Gay Away Does Not Work
http://www.thegaymanifesto.com/2010/11/27/ex-gay-no-way-conversion-therapy-does-not-work/
Jesus Heals A Gay Man
http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/gay_couple.html
Victoria Jackson vs. Glee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N07o-ZSBQA