Simply Saturday

Simply Saturday

There are several things I want to write about today, but they do not fit into a cohesive blog entry. I decided to share this article: An Open Letter to American Muslims on Same-Sex Marriage  I have tried to write something like it for my Christian friends, though they are not a minority group.

The most striking section of the article for me is this:
But if you can't find it in your heart to accept gays on principle, think about the country you want to live in. After all, the constitution that just ensured the rights of LGBT communities is the same constitution that protects our mosques and community centers, that keeps our Islamic schools open, that allows us equal rights and privileges in the face overwhelming hatred and bigotry from our fellow Americans. You can't celebrate one without the other.

That's why it's not enough to simply "tolerate" the Supreme Court decision. Tolerating another community only stirs up concealed fear toward the marginalized and apathy toward the political process. As minorities we don't have the luxury to have either of those emotions. We have to do more than tolerate. We have to embrace. We have to fight for the right of others to live their lives as freely as we want to live ours.

I have never been able to put into words why the "tolerate" approach is bad other than "that is not what Jesus would want us to do".  That's a pretty good reason!  The second paragraph says is very, very well:
Tolerating another community only stirs up concealed fear toward the marginalized and apathy toward the political process. 

Concealed fear? Wow! Apathy? Not in 'Merica! I feel this is the truth. I find it in my own behavior. I think it is human nature to have a least a little fear for those you don't understand, those not like you.

I think back to the New Testament passages about how Christ love everyone. He didn't think about how different the tax collectors, prostitutes, or sick folks were. He didn't tolerate them. He loved them.

We live in a country where we are free to love others. We have lots of different folks to practice on. Let's get to it!

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We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive
- Thrive by Casting Crowns