It’s very interesting that G-A-Y blog extended a brief measure of commendation a couple of months ago about a post I did concerning Matt Barber’s crass quote, SoulForce (another gay activist group) agreed with us about Uganda last week and today G-A-Y has a few benevolent things to say about Alan. They state:
Alan Chambers is clearly a smart and passionate man. He also comes across like a decent person who sees many flaws within the frequently overheated “pro-family” movement, and, to his credit (one that’s reserved for few in the professional anti-LGBT world), Alan is somewhat willing to speak out against the missteps that he perceives. We’d never deny him of these respectable traits.
Unfortunately, Alan has allowed anti-gay faith to persuade him to interrupt some of these natural gifts and instincts. He’s also let’s homo-hostile biblical interpretations convince him that …
If you choose to follow the links above through to the original documents by both groups (be warned if you do) … you will find that they are not members of the Exodus Fan Club. They oppose us, strongly, on many levels as made clear in the original posts by both groups.
One example from the above quote is that it is obvious we don’t believe the whole of our faith to be accurately described as “anti-gay” or “homo-hostile.” We believe our Christian post-gay journey to be graciously redemptive for Christians who seek that for themselves. Knowing that there is such a strong, and ongoing, disagreement from these groups, that makes the overtures of civility (however brief) even more remarkable.
When anyone attempts to humanize anyone on either side of polarized issues I believe that reveals some level of civility, maturity and care. I pray this dynamic multiplies and we must be intentional to recognize that type of mature civility when it occurs.
What I like most about these examples is that they are honest. They don’t hide true beliefs or re-word them so as to not offend. I don’t believe G-A-Y Blog, or Soulforce, have any desire to score points with us and of course we don’t court favor from gay activists either. That said, I think their acknowledgment of Alan’s “respectable traits” and finding other levels of agreement is commendable. I pray it isn’t a momentary flash but a growing approach to dialog.
Thanks.
Sidenote: The G-A-Y post has some videos of Alan speaking embedded within the post itself. I am personally impressed because I can’t find those videos anywhere except that blog 
. If anyone has a link … please let me know. I have a feeling it is easy to find but I am simply missing it.
About Randy Thomas
Randy: The guiding principle at G-A-Y is always to attack the message, not the personality. That’s why you don’t hear things like “bigot” or “hatemonger” or whatever — the work is what’s key.
Now, that doesn’t mean that the individual’s personal traits might become part of the story (Matt Barber’s penchant for hyperbole, for example). And when it seems like there is a personal motivation on the other end, that will be noted (like when P. LaBarbera sent me an unprovoked note attacking my wedding). But from my end, I just don’t have the desire to “fight” with any individual, or to delve into anyone’s personal life. I care about the teachings, policies, rhetoric, etc.
Well, I’ve seen a few things over the years that might challenge that ideal but I trust you are seeking to accomplish what you just stated. I am sure you can say the same about my own blogging habits.
Randy, trust me as a blogger on christianpost.com I fully know this goes both ways. But to me the larger concern is effectively sharing the love of Christ with those who are struggling with same-sex attractions. If we as Christians respond harshly toward those on the other side of the issue we jeopardize our ability to effectively share that love. And that is why we need to be even more sensitive to how we respond as to those on the other side of the issue.
::: laugh ::: Bob! I was not aware. Forgive me. You definitely would know. I agree with you that what you say is true for the larger concern for us as Christians.
Randy: The guiding principle at G-A-Y is always to attack the message, not the personality. That’s why you don’t hear things like “bigot” or “hatemonger” or whatever — the work is what’s key.
Now, that doesn’t mean that the individual’s personal traits might become part of the story (Matt Barber’s penchant for hyperbole, for example). And when it seems like there is a personal motivation on the other end, that will be noted (like when P. LaBarbera sent me an unprovoked note attacking my wedding). But from my end, I just don’t have the desire to “fight” with any individual, or to delve into anyone’s personal life. I care about the teachings, policies, rhetoric, etc.
Well, I’ve seen a few things over the years that might challenge that ideal but I trust you are seeking to accomplish what you just stated. I am sure you can say the same about my own blogging habits.
Randy, trust me as a blogger on christianpost.com I fully know this goes both ways. But to me the larger concern is effectively sharing the love of Christ with those who are struggling with same-sex attractions. If we as Christians respond harshly toward those on the other side of the issue we jeopardize our ability to effectively share that love. And that is why we need to be even more sensitive to how we respond as to those on the other side of the issue.
::: laugh ::: Bob! I was not aware. Forgive me. You definitely would know. I agree with you that what you say is true for the larger concern for us as Christians.
oops. “might become” = “won’t become.”
oops. “might become” = “won’t become.”
Totally agree, even though we may disagree with the views of those on the other side of these issues, we must keep the disagreement focused on the issues and not the individuals. To me satan is using the animosity and crude remarks from those who are adamantly opposed to homosexuality to keep those caught up in the sins of same-sex attractions from seeing God’s truths and love for them and His desire to free them from those same-sex attractions.
Bob, I would also say that remarks from “both” sides unnecessarily inflame and distract from the real purpose. It isn’t just Christians jumping on hyperbolic soap boxes.
Totally agree, even though we may disagree with the views of those on the other side of these issues, we must keep the disagreement focused on the issues and not the individuals. To me satan is using the animosity and crude remarks from those who are adamantly opposed to homosexuality to keep those caught up in the sins of same-sex attractions from seeing God’s truths and love for them and His desire to free them from those same-sex attractions.
Bob, I would also say that remarks from “both” sides unnecessarily inflame and distract from the real purpose. It isn’t just Christians jumping on hyperbolic soap boxes.
So glad to read this article. I’m really thankful that there are instances where either side is not engaging in “the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival” (Gal. 5:20, MSG). I also think the energy and resources put into this issue are much better served by civility than running each other through the mud. Thanks again for the article Randy.
Thank *you* for chiming in
So glad to read this article. I’m really thankful that there are instances where either side is not engaging in “the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival” (Gal. 5:20, MSG). I also think the energy and resources put into this issue are much better served by civility than running each other through the mud. Thanks again for the article Randy.
Thank *you* for chiming in