The problem I am having these days is how some myths are being presented as fact when they are not. Here are a few:

1. Those who are convinced homosexual sex is sin are bullies. Discussed already.

2. The use of the word “homophobia” is an accusation of irrational fear (since that is what the suffix “phobia” means). The truth is that we aren’t afraid of gays. We love them, and want the best for them.

3. Recent votes like the NC one are removing existing rights. The truth is that gays have never been allowed to marry at any time in our nation’s history until recently.

4. Christians are targeting homosexuality as a worse sin than others. The truth is that for my entire life, till recent years, it was simply one of many sins. My pastor would come down on a man who goes to a strip club, or is dishonest in his financial dealings, as he would any other sin. The difference now is that homosexuality is the one sin which has advocates. I imagine that if lobbyists and organizations were to spring up which touted the non-sinfulness of other sins, the Church would oppose those, as well. Bottom line: the reaction of theological conservatives toward gay issues in recent years has been a reaction, not proactive.

5. Myth: Those who hold the same position as I do on this issue are failing to treat gays with love. The truth is that the most unloving thing a Christian can do is pretend another Christian’s sin isn’t sin.

I appreciate your comments. But, even assuming, as you do, same-sex relationships is sinful, in a free democratic society, it cannot be against the law. By your reasoning, all divorces should be illegal, as should anything else the people in power believe to be a sin, such as being free to worship in any religious tradition, or not to worship at all.

Bottom line, to me it IS the same thing as racial discrimination. 60 years ago, the white majority in the South knew the Bible justified racial inequality just as clearly as you know it condemns our LGBT neighbors. And silence only enables the big bullies to continue keeping “people in their place.”

When it comes down to treating others as Jesus treats us; and when it comes down to doing unto others as we would have them do unto us; and when it comes down to making sure that no American citizens are denied rights afforded to other American citizens, I will not apologize any longer.

Believe it’s a sin all you want, that’s fine. But don’t isolate our LGBT neighbors, many of whom I know to have far healthier and far more deeply committed monogamous partnerships, and far deeper and fruitful faith in Christ, than so many heterosexual married Christians passing the laws …

I wish you well, James.

My concern when reading this post, and others like it, is the sweeping categorization of all of us who do believe it to be sin, as bullies, and those who want gays to stay in the closet, and several other false accusations you have listed here.

I agree with you that any church who would not welcome gays into their doors would definitely be in sin. But if gay sexual relationships are indeed sinful, then any church who pretends otherwise is equally in sin.