Would Jesus Discriminate?

by Ryan McCann

If you live in or around the Indianapolis area, perhaps you have seen signs up here and there around town with the message, "Would Jesus Discriminate?" Gay activists led by openly homosexual clergyman Jeff Minor of the Jesus Metropolitan Community Church are back in the media again attempting to paint those of us who believe what the Bible has to say about homosexuality as bigots. Minor is trying to convince people that Jesus would not only oppose an amendment to Indiana’s constitution defining marriage as only between one man and one woman, but also that Jesus approves of homosexual relationships through scripture.

The crux of his argument against the Marriage Amendment is stated on the JMCC website:

These two assertions are false. Currently, and even if the Marriage Amendment passes, homosexuals can allow whoever they wish to visit them in the emergency room or inherit property, just like everyone else. Homosexuals have equal protection under the law, contrary to the victim mentality of Minor and his followers. A homosexual could even grant his or her partner Power of Attorney over healthcare decisions if he or she so chooses. If a homosexual wanted to will his or her property to his or her partner upon death, that is and will continue to be available regardless of the success or failure of the Marriage Amendment. These arguments are merely red herrings meant to steer us away from the truth.

The truth is that homosexual activists across the country are carrying out an organized plan to force all 50 states to recognize same-sex "marriage" through judicial fiat. Constitutional amendments are the best solution to this problem and these activists are none too happy that state after state has approved these amendments. This is unacceptable to them, but not because they really want to marry someone of the same sex. Rather, they rightly see the success of these amendments as a step backwards in their broader vision of societal acceptance and support of homosexuality.

Not only does Minor misrepresent the Marriage Amendment, but more disturbing, he also misrepresents Christ. The Bible repeatedly condemns homosexuality as contrary to God’s will for mankind. Minor’s attempts at interpreting this fact out of scripture are futile and damaging to the Body of Christ. Though he may believe he is freeing himself and others who struggle with homosexual feelings, he is actually enslaving himself and his followers to those feelings and separating himself and them from the God that many of them long to know.

He accuses the church in Indiana and the "Religious Right" of acting out of bigoted hatred rather than the love of Christ. I would admit that lovingly reaching out to homosexuals has not been the strong suit of the Church or the "Religious Right." Christians should be willing to develop relationships with homosexuals, just as Christ first developed a relationship with us while we were separated from God through our sin. However, homosexual activists like Minor allows their desires to define them. Thus, often times in order to truly befriend them you must not only love the person, but also the lifestyle. So, are Christians showing the love of Christ by accepting homosexuality as good and right as Minor suggests? Is it loving to encourage people to engage in a lifestyle that the facts prove to be so destructive?

Nationally, AIDS remains the fifth leading cause of death among those aged 26 to 44, and 60 percent of new cases are contracted by men who have sex with men. An estimated 30 percent of all 20-year-old homosexual men will be HIV positive or dead by the age of 30. According to the Journal of Epidemiology, homosexual men have only a 32% likelihood of living to the age of 65. For all men, the likelihood is 78%. Right here in Indiana, the homosexual population (which is estimated at between <1% to 2% of all Hoosiers) represents 60% of all new HIV/AIDS cases, mirroring the national statistics.

"Pastor" Minor and his followers attempt to rewrite scripture to sanctify their sexual desires in the name of loving "tolerance." However, is it loving to lead people in opposition to the will of God? The Bible contains many verses that relate to the topic of homosexuality. These are but a few of them:

Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:20-24; Genesis 19:4-9; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:20-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10

These verses and others point to the union of a man and a woman as God’s design for marriage and the core of the family. They also clearly show God’s opposition to the perversion of his design for marriage and the family, homosexuality being one such perversion.

The first chapter of 1 Timothy is particularly helpful to this conversation and should be a guide to all Christians, particularly because of its balance. After stating that the law is good for restraining evil practices, homosexuality being one such evil practice, Paul states the following, "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all." (1 Timothy 1:15)

Human law, like God’s law, is designed to restrain evil, not reflect it. The Marriage Amendment is needed to preserve the law. If we allow a misguided judge to change our law and recognize homosexuality as equal to the biblical model for marriage, not only will society suffer, but those who struggle with homosexual feelings will suffer. The law will then point them towards an evil practice that, if embraced, will set them in opposition to God.

The law is an important guide, as Christ declares in Matthew 5:17-18, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." However, even more important is the fact that we all fall short of God’s standard, perfect obedience to Him. We have all sinned and made ourselves repugnant to God. Therefore we need Christ to intervene on our behalf and cover our imperfections so that we can once again know God. Paul doesn’t give a hopeless message to homosexuals in 1 Timothy. Rather, he is pointing them (and every imperfect person – that is, every person who has ever lived, except for Jesus Christ) away from evil desires and towards a reunion with God through Jesus Christ. Only in pursuit of this plan can hope be realized.

It is out of our love for all people, including those trapped by Satan in the homosexual lifestyle, that we should support the Marriage Amendment and also share the good news of Christ with them. The loving position is neither falsely claiming homosexuality to be good and right, nor hating those within the homosexual community. Rather, the biblical model of 1 Timothy is maintaining the integrity of the law while loving and helping those struggling with homosexuality to break free through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

For more information on how to respond biblically to those struggling with homosexuality or to better understand the topic, Focus on the Family has several excellent resources. Information is also available online at the Focus on the Family Citizenlink website.