Why I Keep Doing This

Last updated on: December 16, 2012 at 9:05 am by Andrew Marin

Why I Keep Doing This 2012-12-16T09:05:15-06:00 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.

I just posted the interview on a conservative Christian radio program in which, let’s just say, they didn’t appreciate my approach.

Since that interview yesterday I’ve gotten quite a few emails/Facebooks/etc from people asking me why I would keep doing this work and continue to get pounded on by both communities? Here are two quick answers written to me yesterday after the interview that remind me why:

This one from a straight Christian:

I just listened to the interview and I was so impressed with the strength and resolve you showed, not allowing yourself to get drawn into a pharisaical debate. It seemed that for the host and the callers, homosexuality is an “issue” and that for you, homosexuality is about people. When the host divided Christians by “their callings” (essentially saying that you may be called to love the LGBT community, but he is not) he missed the very heart of the matter and didn’t even realize it. Followers of Jesus are given different gifts, for sure—but everyone who follows Christ is called to radical love. Thanks for your costly witness to the Love of Christ today.

This one from a gay man:

I’m gay and I was sent the podcast to your interview on Moody Radio today. You couldn’t pay me $100,000,000 to listen to that gay-hating station. When my friend sent it to me he said I “HAD TO LISTEN”. So I did. I thought he wanted me to listen to it because they were just ripping on us, and our “evil agenda” more. But I never expected you, or what I heard you say! I want to let you know that you have inspired me more than any other person I have ever heard. For you to go on there, take their sh!t and be as gracious as you were, still loving me and my community all the while, I can’t say thank you enough. It would be so much easier for you to just give in and be like them. This world would be totally different if there were even 1 more of you around. If the church was made up of people like you and your group, I would even think of going. I also then went online to check you guys out and I saw all the flack you’re getting from my people. Fu@k them. They’re missing the point. They care about politics and you care about love and God. Sure, I want gay marriage legalized as much as the next gay partnered couple (I’ve been with my partner for 14 years now), but I would much rather have someone like you trying to convince those mother f*^kers on that program you were on to learn what it means to love and engage – because God knows they would never listen to me or any other LGBT person. And I don’t know any person who would sit there and still love them too! God bless you.

That’s why.

Much love.

www.themarinfoundation.org

Bridging Opposing Worldviews

The Marin Foundation

Previous Post

August 24, 2010

I Got Smashed Live On Air by Conservative Christians

Next Post

August 25, 2010 August 25: My One Sentence Bible

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