Solidarity, Allied, Allegiance, total and absolute acceptance, tolerance...these are just a few of the words and statements that I have read from several sources from the CBC, Free Press, Globe and Mail. It seems that the small town of Steinbach has now hit the National News.
With an event that was supposed to be around 200, it grew to exceed between 2500-5000 people which comprised of many people traveling to Steinbach to attend the parade.
The planners are excited that this shows that equality is needed in every community, no matter who or where that community it.
Something hasn't been sitting well for me as I reflect on the parade. Not in terms of people feeling liberated to 'be who they believe they are and to feel safe to live that out in their community' because I am against all forms of bullying and injustice. Rather I attest to the double standard and the practice of bullying tactics which are now being used by 'some people and their allies' within the LGBTQ community.
Okay, before you jump all over me, please hear me out.
First, I know bullying first hand. Growing up in a small rural town in Manitoba, I know what it feels like to be bullied every day. To be called a faggot, fairy, to be jeered at, gestures so cruel, it is a wonder that I survived (and I am serious about that!) I've been chased by cars (even after graduating) and I don't recall any safe person who stood up for me, other than my twin brother. (thank you!!!) I even had a teacher bully me! Bullying and injustice are not acceptable in my eyes.
Yet, this bullying didn't give me free pass on bullying others, it did not make it right for me to bully anyone else. No matter how hard it was for me! Yet, I bullied. When I came out in 1997 as a gay identified man, I was so hurt. I felt justified in my hurt to try to demand that everyone accept the way I was living. I demanded that everyone just 'accept ME!' Yet for the most part, I wore blinders unable to see that people had already accepted me as a person, but that acceptance for me as a person didn't mean that they had to now approve of how I was living. I demanded total acceptance...PERIOD. The true definition of tolerance and respect means that two people can come to a different conclusion on a matter, and still love and respect one another.
I lacked that in my life. I had a hard time tolerating and respecting those who because of their faith in God believed differently than I.
This all changed when I grew in relationship with a few people. While gay identified, I had a few Christian friends who believed that to act out on homosexual desires was sinful. That it was not God's best for me. Even with this belief that was not going to change, they loved and respected me. They showed me tolerance and respect. This began to shift my own thinking. How was I showing that same respect and tolerance? It wasn't going to shift in my demands that everyone 'change' their belief, but rather, it shifted in my understanding that to be tolerant and respectful was to see difference as okay. It's how we treat one another in the process.
Even though I no longer identify as a gay man and am married to a woman, I seek to live this attitude of respect out to the best of my ability. (No one is perfect, but I seek to love others with God's help)
So when I read articles that disrespected people who chose not to attend the Steinbach pride parade because of their belief (specifically MP Ted Falk) it bothered me. It showed a total lack of respect and tolerance of another persons view. Just because Ted Falk chose not to attend the pride parade due to his integrity of belief, does not mean that he does not accept and respect others with a different belief system as his.
'Everybody has rights' is the statement that has been stated by the LGBTQ Allies (as is stated in a few of the articles) and if this is so, then sit with that statement. Let it rest in your head and your heart. Try to filter it through the other persons belief rather than your fear, your hurt and your own limited understanding. (this by the way goes for those on both sides of the issue!)
How about before we begin speaking, we begin talking with one another. Get to know someone who is different than you. How about you let your fear go and seek to love and ask questions...and listen.
Enough said..."I'm going to go listen!"
Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human rights. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Love Others - Fulfill the Law
Romans 13:8-10 stood out to me today as I was reading.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Prior to these verses Paul talks about submission to Authorities, Unbelief, Future Glory, God's Sovereignty, Dead to sin, alive in Christ, Marriage, Sin, Slaves, Faith, Peace, Joy, Faithfulness -God's...and much more.
There's a lot packed into the book of Romans but these verses stood out and what grabbed my attention are the words; "for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law" and; "whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself."
It seems to me that we can distort these words to say, it's okay, just love one another. That my behavior really doesn't matter, or shouldn't matter to you. If we just say, Love your neighbor as yourself and don't go into more detail we missed the boat!
How I read the word of God this morning was through the lens of what I do affects those around me. My actions are not just specifically mine. When I chose Jesus as Lord of my life, I gave him full deed to my being. Not just a part here or there, but every part. I'm in the process of a spiritual renovation so to speak, and one that will continue until I see Jesus face to face. Jesus bought and paid for a run down, used up home, with a pink with gold speckled back splash, a leaky roof, a leaky foundation, probably some ant infestation, old windows, poor insulation, a broken fence (boundary) and the list goes on! Slowly in time, He beings to renovate. One area at a time. Sure He can probably tear down the whole house, but he chooses to renovate the way He needs to and the way I need him to. He respects me, and in this place I think He commands me to live well.
If I love Him, love myself and love my neighbor, I will realize that to commit adultery, murder, steal, or whatever 'other' commandment there is means that I am not living in love. When I view my actions as just my own, I am living a life not pleasing to God, nor others or myself. I am not walking in love.
Culturally speaking, I have the right to be whoever I want to be. My choice or decision is mine. No one has the right to speak against this decision. If you do, its a violation of my human right. Or is it?
The culture around us has set up some rules, some boundary lines for us in the laws they have set up. These are good. But why are people breaking them? Maybe because it's all about us? It's my life!
Law is set for our good and the good of others. If we didn't have it humans would be left with their broken vices and that is a scary thought. Yet in the midst of set laws we push the boundary lines, blur the edges to see how much I can get away with. Maybe I won't be caught!
Let's use speeding as an example because this causes a bit of stir whenever I talk about it. We have laws of speed control for reasons of safety. Yet, this is usually one of the areas we want to break or give excuses to break; "Everyone else is doing it," "There aren't any police enforcing this area," "I always do it," "I'm a safe driver." Until we get caught. Then we grumble, complain, and spout out our anger at the law set for us for our good and the good of others. What happens when we speed, cause an accident and maybe kill someone else?
Using this example, we see that we thought of ourselves. We weren't acting in love, rather we in our selfishness decided that it was all about us. We weren't concerned about others or the ramification of our decision and choice on another person. To really love my neighbor would mean, I see past my own "feeling," "my right" and see that they have more value than me.
So today, as you live for JUST TODAY...how can you set down your own rights, your own feelings, and think of others. Think of how you can behave in a way that takes the focus off you...and on to another person. In doing so the fulfillment of the law happens. When you begin to love others, you begin to follow the law. Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. As we walk in obedience, denying ourselves and taking up the cross and loving others, we live in accordance to the boundaries set for us.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Prior to these verses Paul talks about submission to Authorities, Unbelief, Future Glory, God's Sovereignty, Dead to sin, alive in Christ, Marriage, Sin, Slaves, Faith, Peace, Joy, Faithfulness -God's...and much more.
There's a lot packed into the book of Romans but these verses stood out and what grabbed my attention are the words; "for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law" and; "whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself."
It seems to me that we can distort these words to say, it's okay, just love one another. That my behavior really doesn't matter, or shouldn't matter to you. If we just say, Love your neighbor as yourself and don't go into more detail we missed the boat!
How I read the word of God this morning was through the lens of what I do affects those around me. My actions are not just specifically mine. When I chose Jesus as Lord of my life, I gave him full deed to my being. Not just a part here or there, but every part. I'm in the process of a spiritual renovation so to speak, and one that will continue until I see Jesus face to face. Jesus bought and paid for a run down, used up home, with a pink with gold speckled back splash, a leaky roof, a leaky foundation, probably some ant infestation, old windows, poor insulation, a broken fence (boundary) and the list goes on! Slowly in time, He beings to renovate. One area at a time. Sure He can probably tear down the whole house, but he chooses to renovate the way He needs to and the way I need him to. He respects me, and in this place I think He commands me to live well.
If I love Him, love myself and love my neighbor, I will realize that to commit adultery, murder, steal, or whatever 'other' commandment there is means that I am not living in love. When I view my actions as just my own, I am living a life not pleasing to God, nor others or myself. I am not walking in love.
Culturally speaking, I have the right to be whoever I want to be. My choice or decision is mine. No one has the right to speak against this decision. If you do, its a violation of my human right. Or is it?
The culture around us has set up some rules, some boundary lines for us in the laws they have set up. These are good. But why are people breaking them? Maybe because it's all about us? It's my life!
Law is set for our good and the good of others. If we didn't have it humans would be left with their broken vices and that is a scary thought. Yet in the midst of set laws we push the boundary lines, blur the edges to see how much I can get away with. Maybe I won't be caught!
Let's use speeding as an example because this causes a bit of stir whenever I talk about it. We have laws of speed control for reasons of safety. Yet, this is usually one of the areas we want to break or give excuses to break; "Everyone else is doing it," "There aren't any police enforcing this area," "I always do it," "I'm a safe driver." Until we get caught. Then we grumble, complain, and spout out our anger at the law set for us for our good and the good of others. What happens when we speed, cause an accident and maybe kill someone else?
Using this example, we see that we thought of ourselves. We weren't acting in love, rather we in our selfishness decided that it was all about us. We weren't concerned about others or the ramification of our decision and choice on another person. To really love my neighbor would mean, I see past my own "feeling," "my right" and see that they have more value than me.
So today, as you live for JUST TODAY...how can you set down your own rights, your own feelings, and think of others. Think of how you can behave in a way that takes the focus off you...and on to another person. In doing so the fulfillment of the law happens. When you begin to love others, you begin to follow the law. Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. As we walk in obedience, denying ourselves and taking up the cross and loving others, we live in accordance to the boundaries set for us.
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