Passing on bad apples
by Brian | October 27th, 2007 |The New York Times observes that “after the 2004 election, evangelical Christians looked like one of the most powerful and cohesive voting blocs in America. Three years later their leadership is split along generational and theological lines.” And asks, “How did it all come apart?”
Though I don’t have an advanced degree in politics or religion, I can’t help but have a few answers of my own. In the runup to the 2004 elections, a vocal and powerful group of Christians leaders stirred up fellow Christians to vote against homosexuality. Using powerful religious messaging they convinced an overwhelming majority that it was a grievous moral sin to NOT support anti-gay amendments and anti-gay politicians. Often times voting against their economic interests, voters swept Republicans into office and constitutional amendments fell into place. The Times observes this very phenomenon:
With flushed red cheeks and a pudgy, dimpled chin, Fox roared down from Immanuel’s pulpit about the wickedness of abortion, evolution and homosexuality. He mobilized hundreds of Kansas pastors to push through a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, helping to unseat a handful of legislators in the process.
But this is not 2004.
Three years after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled against marriage restrictions based on gender, the state isn’t falling apart and Americans–Christian Americans–now have real-life examples of what marriage equality looks like. And it doesn’t look so bad.
Matthew 7 says, “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Anti-gay rhetoric sows division and does nothing to advance the Gospel. You can’t hide bad fruit forever.
Pastor Fox has since been asked to step down of Immanuel Baptist as the deacons recognize–in their own way–the heresy of distorting Scripture and religion to marginalize and oppress people.
In a country founded on liberty and a religion birthed out of radical inclusion, we are judging trees by their fruit and opting to pass on the bad fruit. As queer people continue to step up, stand out, and refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice, straight Americans will be exposed to the “bad fruits” of anti-gay rhetoric, politics, and theology, and they will continue to reject it.
2 Responses to “Passing on bad apples”
Here’s hoping you’re right Brian. Here in Alabama it’s almost funny to watch pastors using the same old tired rhetoric while railing against the “evils of homosekshuls” and people have just stopped listening. Bishop John Shelby Spong tells us that fundamentalist Christianity as we know it today is dying rapidly.
By Zach on Oct 28, 2007
Zach… Matt Comer here. Thanks for commenting. I think you are new here (or, at least, I’ve never seen your name associated with the web link you provided, lol), so welcome (if you’re not new, ignore me).
The Religious Right’s power is certainly declining. I don’t know how much it has dropped off since 2004, but here’s to hoping.
By Matt on Oct 28, 2007