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Hate Crimes Separate Americans From Americans
By Marsha West
An article by Raoul Lowery Contreras titled "Hate Crimes Separate Americans From Americans" made my blood boil. In the article Contreras stated that Matthew Shepherd's death (the young homosexual man who was tied to a fence, beaten and robbed, and eventually died) was motivated by hate of homosexuals, when in fact the perpetrators admitted that their motivation was robbery. No question the men who committed this terrible crime are evil and deserve to be punished for what they did. Unfortunately gay activists with the assistance of writers like Mr. Contreras have used this young man's death to promote the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
In the course of reading the article it became apparent to me that Contreras was promoting a different kind of hatred -- hatred of Christians who aren't afraid to say homosexuality is unnatural and wrong. He refers to Christians generally as "wild-eyed radicals" and "whackos" and to Gary Bauer and the the Family Research Council specifically as "homophobic, silly and ridiculous." My immediate reaction was to respond by calling Mr. Contreras a "Christianbasher" and a "Christiophobic".
Realizing this would serve no purpose I provided the following in response:
I can't help but wonder if calling someone a "homophobe" might someday be considered a hate crime. When I read that groups like the Family Research Council (FRC) and Focus on the Family (FOTF) are considered "hate mongers" and "homophobic" because they espouse what the Bible teaches about homosexuality, it gives me cause for concern. You may not agree that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but many folks do -- and I'm sure that includes Gary Bauer. But herein lies the dilemma: The Bible really does say that homosexuality is "unnatural." (Read Romans, Chapter 1.) Also, in the Old Testament, homosexuality is called "detestable." Leviticus 18:22.
What are Christians to do, then? Should FRC, FOTF and others who believe in the Bible not stand up for what they believe in? Unless you tamper with the meaning of words, you have to acknowledge what the Bible says, and it says that anyone who practice homosexuality, perverts something good. To be more specific, Scripture says it's a practice that "ought not to be done." Romans 1:28 Anyone who practices this kind of sexual perversion is condemned by God. In keeping with God's instructions in the Bible, shouldn't Christians gently urge people toward a life pleasing to Him? I'm sure you're familiar with the old adage "Hate the sin, but love the sinner."
With that said, I'm wondering why your article didn't include the reasons why people of faith can't -- NOT won't -- accept that homosexuality is unnatural? Instead you referred to them as "whackos." This leads one to wonder, are you and others in the media conspiring against people who hold certain religious beliefs?
Surely fair and unbiased reporting would include these facts: 1) that most Christians believe that every word in Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed); 2) that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is sin; 3) that homosexuality is "unnatural" and "indecent"; 4) that followers of God must first repent, then turn away from sin.
God's followers didn't come up with this stuff, God did. So why should they compromise for the sake of political correctness? Because of who they are -- children of God -- they can do no other than to remain resolute and stay on God's path.
I have seen plaques with the inscription "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." This message is the very heart of Christianity. It's a commitment, hung out for all to see, that they will love and serve God, which is admirable. People of faith believe that they are called by God, therefore accountable to Him, not to man. As His representatives on earth they speak for Him. And who else could?
In the future please don't shoot the messenger. Who knows? The messenger might be sent from God.
Copyright 1999
By Marsha West
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