Found this really interesting blog post: If you're selling scorn for conservative Christians, the market is hot
Summary: There's this trend lately where "progressive Christians" are stereotyping "conservative Christians" (this is referring specifically to gay marriage, by the way). Basically, the message is "we're not like those bigoted, narrow-minded Christians- no, we stand with you." (The author gives 2 examples: A billboard apologizing for "narrow-minded, judgmental, deceptive, manipulative actions", and a blog post "How to win a culture war and lose a generation".) If some Christians want to send a message of support/acceptance to the LGBT community, they can just say "we support/accept you" without throwing half the body of Christ under the bus. People who take a political stand against gay marriage have actual reasons for it- it's not because they're terrible bigoted people. When Christians perpetuate that stereotype by caricaturing other Christians, that just makes things worse.
This article really made me think, and I don't know to what extent I agree with the author. But here are my discussion questions:
So, there's this stereotype that Christians are anti-LGBT. Or that Christians hate gay people. Etc. I want feedback especially from nonChristians and gay people here- how much does that actually affect how you view Christians/ how you act/ what you say around Christians?
And does it matter to you when Christians apologize for that and acknowledge that people often view the church that way? Does it come across as a nice thing to do? (Is there a way to say it without "perpetuating the stereotype" that other Christians are judgmental?)
And could you give advice about how Christians ideally should act- what should I do in order to truly be loving toward gay people? (Or maybe this is a weird question- just be generally nice to everyone and don't be concerned with whether they're gay.)
Also, that stereotype has a basis in truth. The church has generally not had a good response towards gay people. So, Christians should acknowledge this, right? Is it possible to say "yeah, the church has done wrong to the LGBT community" without saying "those actions which hurt you were narrow-minded and judgmental"?
Is it okay for some subset of Christians to apologize on behalf of other Christians? Maybe we should only apologize for our own sins. Eh, but at the same time, nonChristians may feel hurt by the church, and we need to acknowledge that it's legitimate to feel that way, and that we are sorry that it happened. But is it weird to apologize on behalf of people who deny they did anything wrong?
Also, I think it's possible to believe that gay relationships are wrong, but still be loving and accepting of gay people. (Agree or disagree with me on this?) How does one do that? How do you live such that people know you love them and you're a real friend, but they also know you think their choices are bad for them?
Okay I am interested to hear what my readers have to say. Or if you have other discussion questions. And I'm especially hoping to get feedback from gay people. Okay thanks!