Homophobia: there is an easy choice to make

The discussion in Christian circles about gay marriage has looked like this for too long.

Last year, Altrincham football club chose to change its kit to rainbow colours to highlight the fight against homophobia in football. I was deeply saddened to hear a Christian remark that they could not support this move because they did not agree with gay marriage. In this instance, the rainbow kit was worn to emphasise and oppose the relentless bullying and abuse of gay players within football. As Christians, we should always oppose bullying and abuse.

The discussion of gay marriage is complicated. At the very least, it should look more like this.

Homophobia is a real issue. People are dying because of it. Abuse, bullying and name-calling of LGBTQ+ people is commonplace not only within football. Look at these sites to see the evidence.

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

As Christians, we can do something

I urge Christians to stop arguing about the blue line (above) and turn your gaze to the brown line.  Awful things are taking place on the other side of that line and we need to use our voices to stop them.

Every Christian can oppose abuse and bullying of all people, and that includes the LGBTQ+ community.  We need to make it clear that we stand on the right-hand-side of the brown line. We have adopted the binary points of view shown in the top diagram and this is not right.

No matter if you are a Traditionalist, Equality Lover, or on the blue fence, it is good and possible to stand against the abuse of LGBTQ+ people.  I believe a great many more Christians are confused about gay marriage than the media portrays; they are not sure which side of the blue line they should be on. If this is you, do not let your uncertainty over the blue line silence or paralyse you about the brown line. Be confident, God has plainly called us to love everyone.

We apologise

To any LGBTQ+ people reading this, as Christians we are sorry that we have ignored the ways that you have been hurt and that you continue to face bullying and harassment.  Please forgive us and allow us to make amends.

Some bible verses

But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. – 1 John 4:8

We love each other because he loved us first. – 1 John 4:19

And do everything with love. – 1 Cor 16:14

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. – Ecc 4:10

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:37

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. – Rom 3:10

Do to others as you would like them to do to you. – Luke 6:31

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. – Gal 6:2

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