The power of an analogy

The debate that is raging at the moment about gay marriage across the world has thrown up an interesting issue.  In our attempt to understand complex issues, we often draw on analogies to help us get our heads round things.  Jesus himself often used parables.

In this debate, I have heard two different analogies, which lead to powerfully different outcomes.

The first, used by many conservative evangelicals and traditionalists, is that homosexuality is a departure from the "norm" in the same way that something like alcoholism is.  The argument follows that a loving approach to an alcoholic is to "love the sinner, hate the sin."  Ignoring for a moment the vocal minority of placard waving haters (you know the type... God hates faggots types, that have no knowledge of the message of Christ), we have many who would try sincerely to welcome and show love to a homosexual, while imploring them to turn away from a homosexual lifestyle in the same way we try to help an alcoholic find freedom from addiction.

Another analogy that is used by more progressive types (in the theological sense) is that sexuality is like handedness.  The majority of us are right handed.  A minority is left handed, a few are ambidextrous.

Go back in history and you will see that being left handed was sometimes a curse.  Teachers would strike a child using the wrong hand.  Even the Latin word shares the root of the word sinister.  There was something unnatural and wrong about left handed people, who were clearly not following the template of normality.

And here's where it becomes interesting.  When a sincerely loving alcoholic-analogy Christian meets a like minded handedness Christian, it's as if they are on different planets.

One hears the other saying "I don't care about alcohol abuse.  It's a live and let live society.  What harm is it really doing?  Aren't there more important things to worry about than if someone is drunk and addicted to a drunken lifestyle?"

The other hears a different message.  "I love you, but to belong to our family and have an active role in it, you have to renounce your left-handedness.  If you can't use your right hand (you know, the proper one that we're designed to use), then don't use any hand at all... That's a perfectly acceptable alternative.  We'll stand alongside you in your struggle."

Interestingly, these two Christians might stand shoulder to shoulder on so many debates and issues, yet the power of this one issue is so divisive as to make them feel poles apart.  One hears total disregard for sin and holiness, the other hears a complete lack of compassion and love.

Any read of previous posts will lead you to not be surprised to hear I prefer the handedness analogy.  No doubt if you prefer the alcohol analogy you will want to scream "but the plain reading of scripture says it's a sin!"  I understand and respect your view but on other posts we address the issue of what the Bible says, appears to say and how there are different interpretations that mean we need to take great care before condemning left handed people who use their preferred hand because they were born that way...

An Open Letter of Apology

To my dear brothers and sisters, who are conservative evangelical in faith, 

I am sorry for the pain you are going through when you see so-called liberal Christians appear to abandon the teachings of the scriptures you hold to so dearly.  I understand the sense of anguish as people turn their back on the Word you love so dearly.  I am sorry that I have not stood up and publicly affirmed my commitment to the teachings of God’s Holy Word and I can see the hurt you feel as you watch the world around turn its back on the life-giving streams of God’s holiness and love.

To my dear brothers and sisters, who call themselves progressive in faith,

I am sorry for the pain you are going through as you find your views shunned and treated with contempt by other Christians, who sometimes go as far as to describe you as heretics or of another religion.  I understand the sense of anguish as you see the debate and arguments take the place of love and social justice.  I am sorry that I have not stood up and publicly affirmed my commitment to showing God’s love and compassion to the poor, abused and marginalised of this world, and I can see the hurt you feel as you watch the world around you judge your faith by the words of others you disagree with.

To my dear friends of this world, who look on at our Church,

I am sorry for the hypocrisy you see and the love that is preached, but rarely shown.  I understand how you wonder why we would want you to come and worship a God that seems full of judgement and rules.  I am sorry that you feel at times ignored as we busy ourselves with our cliques, and at other times bashed by our Bibles or better-than-thou attitudes.  I am ashamed that you see how we judge you for having less compassion, less love, less integrity and less honour than the so called Holy few.

To my best friend in the world,

I can barely look you in the eye when I think of the apologies I must give.  You walked this earth 2000 years ago and showed us a better way to live.  So we tried to stone you.  You sat among us and shared food with us, and we tried to trap you with words.  You healed us and loved us and provided for our needs… so we crucified you.  You gave us new life and called us to follow you and share this love with others.  You give your Spirit to live in us as counsellor and guide.  And still we fight.

I am sorry.

the role of women in the church

http://www.redletterchristians.org/women-should-remain-silent/

The link above is a very interesting reflection on some of the passages often used to suggest women should not be leaders in the church.

It's amazing how easy it is to believe something and find a Bible passage that seems to back it up.  How much harder to read the Bible and be prepared to challenge our deeply held beliefs...