Forget Issues, Remember People

Last updated on: December 16, 2012 at 9:09 am by Andrew Marin

Forget Issues, Remember People 2012-12-16T09:09:13-06:00 Andrew Marin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The following is a reflection that was written by Nathan Albert on August 4th after Prop 8 was ruled to be unconstitutional by Judge Walker in California. Nathan serves as the Director of Pastoral Care at The Marin Foundation.

I have been sitting in front of my computer trying to come up with words to say tonight. I’ve been typing and deleting almost every sentence I type as I try to respond to what I know is an important day. Prop 8 has been deemed unconstitutional. Instead of any words, I find myself tired.

Here is why. Homosexuality has become an issue in many Christian circles (not all, but many). It’s become a hot-button issue. People are afraid of it. People debate over it. People do awful things to one another because of it. And I have a problem with that. It makes me tired.

My problem is this. Homosexuality is not an “issue” at all. It’s not a hot-button “issue.” It’s not an “issue” that people fight over. It’s not an “it” at all. It’s not an “issue” at all.

This is about people. People.

Have we forgotten this? It seems to me that we just might have.

It’s easy to turn things into “issues.” But I think it’s dehumanizing. It’s easy to label people: liberal, conservative, Christian, or atheist. But I think labels are too often used to dismiss people entirely. Again, dehumanizing. It’s easy to make the topic of homosexuality some exegetical debate where people argue over ancient languages, texts, and cultural contexts. But I do not think this is an exegetical issue. I think this is about people.

It seems to me that many people don’t think this is about people or the implications of that. Therefore an entire community of people are dehumanized or turned into the “least of these.” Right now it seems in certain places (key word: certain. Of course this does not include all Christian communities) the options for gay Christians are either to be celibate or become straight and marry someone of the opposite sex.

Sometimes I think, what if this was demanded of me? What if, because I was straight, the Christian community said to me, Nathan you either have to be celibate forever or marry someone of the same sex?

What if I was forced to spend the rest of my life in celibacy because I was straight? One, it would suck. Two, I don’t think I have the gift of celibacy. And yes, I think celibacy is a gift for certain people. Three, it would suck. Four, I would probably have a hard time controlling my lust.

What if I was forced to marry someone of the same sex to whom I was not attracted? Again, it would probably suck. Although, I could possibly have a great relationship with emotional intimacy and could probably be physically intimate with another male. But I would not be fulfilled, it would feel awkward, and I would still dream of being with a woman instead.

And so my goal is not to debate the exegetical work, the theological implications, the above examples, or the decision in California. There’s too much of that already and frankly I’m getting tired of that too. Instead, I want to remind those people who forget easily (myself included) that this is about people.

Do we think about people before we make decisions? Do we remember that this is about people when we go to the voting polls? Do we remember that this is about people when we preach from a pulpit? Do we remember that this is about people when we have late night debates? Do we remember that this is about people when we read Scripture?

If not, we are guilty of dehumanizing people. And I might even be bold enough to say that dehumanizing people is a sin.

So today I am again reminded this is about people. Today people wept with joy because they are closer to finally being able to marry the person they deeply love. Today became a day of rejoicing. Today Facebook and Twitter exploded with people’s excitement over the decision in California. Today I am reminded that this is a small step for thousands of people.

And today I am reminded of my countless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender friends. Today was a good day for them. Actually, today could be said to be a great day. And I stand with them. I rejoice with them. I shed tears of happiness because they shed tears of happiness.

And today I am reminded that God loves people. All people.

Bridging Opposing Worldviews

Guest Posts

Politics

Previous Post

August 2, 2010

Teaching at Salvation Army this Week

Next Post

August 12, 2010 Yep, I Fractured My Left Foot

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Bridging Opposing Worldviews Culture Don't Drink and Drive Faith Guest Posts I'm Sorry Campaign Interviews Language Laura Statesir LGBT Living in the Tension Living in the Tension Gatherings Love Is an Orientation Love Is an Orientation Blog Love Is an Orientation Book Love Is an Orientation DVD Melinda Guerra Memory My One Sentence Bible Newsletter Our Last Option Parents & Families Politics Quick Quotes Quotes ReEngaging Civility Sexuality Speaking The Marin Foundation Theology Uncategorized Us Versus Us Videos Warren Perry Youth and Campus Ministry

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz