NAIMA LETT | BLOG | HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
A Nation Divided: Gay Marriage
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© U.S. gay marriage laws, photo source
A Nation Divided: Gay Marriage
Yesterday, West Hollywood was Celebration Ground Zero. Party! Party! With the L.A. Pride Parade attracting over 400,000 LGBT enthusiasts in West Hollywood just a couple of weeks ago, the news of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to kick the case concerning gay marriage back to California set off a whole new round of jubilee.
But everybody’s not celebrating.
We Do Not All Agree
One thing’s for sure on California’s Proposition 8 and gay marriage: We do not all agree. Got it? We do not agree. So, let’s please stop with all the hate mail, hate posts, hate, hate, hate, on both sides. We do not agree. We are a state and nation divided.
Prop 8
Millions of California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008 which states that marriage is only between one man and one woman. This came after the state supreme court ruled gay marriage to be legal. Voters said marriage is between man and woman. Courts said not so fast. Division.
2 gay couples sued, and a judge in the 9th District Court of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional. This ruling was appealed to the Supreme Court, which didn’t rule on the constitutionality of Prop 8; but instead ruled that the case was improperly before the high court. They kicked the case back to San Francisco, which had already ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional.
Not Going to Happen
I listened to the radio yesterday and there were heated arguments on both sides – with a lot of name-calling and not a lot of mutual discussion.
Here’s my 2 cents: A 9th District Court ruling in San Francisco is not going to convince millions of people that God’s Word should be thrown out the window. Not going to happen.
At the same time, holding up God’s Word as a standard is not going to convince millions of people that gay marriage should be thrown out the window. Not going to happen. Why are we screaming at each other as if that’s going to change our minds?
So, where do we go from here? Let’s start with the truth: We are not going to agree. But why should I have to agree with you in order to be in the same room with you? I don’t get it. I believe that Jesus is the Messiah. You may not. Does that mean we can’t have a decent, slur-free conversation?
I’m not trying to over-simplify this. I’m getting at a deeper relational issue. Folks start talking about homosexuality and lose their minds. But we have a nation divided on a whole lot of issues. Look at that map above. Does it not look like the division of Democrats vs. Republicans?
Agreement Is Not A Prerequisite
Agreement is not a prerequisite for being able to live together in the same nation. Agreement is not a prerequisite for being able to live together in the same house. My husband and I don’t agree on a lot of things, but we have daily made a choice to love each other and stay married for 12 years.
Stop. The. Madness. Fam.
I ain’t arguing with folks. There will be no hatred spewed on my blog. Pull it together! That’s all I’m saying on that. I’m about to be late for my lunch meeting. Gotta go!
Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima
Rev. Naima Lett, D.MIN, ABD
Author of coming release Confessions of a Hollywood Christian
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Naima,
Thank you for your message today! I have come to a place in my walk with God in that I completely trust Him. This means that no matter how the courts may decide it will never change that God’s Will takes precedence every time! His Word is truth and every man a lie that raises a standard against it. Like you, I see the issue is agreement. Although I don’t agree with the decision, I agree to disagree and not argue. Christ in me is greater than he that is in this world. People need to see and know it as truth. They are our neighbors. The commandment Jesus gave in Matthew 22: 39 says “to love your neighbor as yourself”. So why are we spewing hate at our neighbors who do not agree and claim to love? Not possible. It is only done that way when we fail to keep the commandment Jesus gave before it in Matthew 22:37 that says “You must love The Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Loving God that way allows you to see the bigger picture that Christ died for all and He did so that not one should perish. How will the people we oppose hear about Christ and be saved if we don’t show the love God first showed for us in our sin? He didn’t capture my heart by pointing out my sins and telling me I am damned for my choices. Instead, He showed me through people who loved Him how much He loves me. Then I was able listen past my hurt, sin, and shame. And I saw His scars and realized He did it just for me. Truth be told, I recognize that the Word has a lot to say about how we treat others. I don’t know about anyone else but I am learning to drop my stones (even the very Word of God I have used to attack others), because my sins are counted no less and the price was paid the same through Christ’s blood. It is still powerful and continues to cleanse. Instead of judging, can’t we bring them to the cross? If we truly love them, we will. Remember, this fight is not against flesh and blood. It is against principalities and demons in this world. Prayer, love, and the Word of God are effective weapons against the enemy. Use them. I encourage you in Christ.
Thanks for sharing your heart, Melissa.
Appreciate it, Lady.
Have a wonderful 4th!
As usual Naima, common sense prevails from your words. But then that’s why I’m here. As a convicted common sense junkie, I appreciate level headed arguement in a sea of seemingly irrelevant and irreverant drivel.
Bless you.
Thanks Rex.
You are right. Common sense is key! LOL!
Have a wonderful holiday!
I agree that we need to stop the hate. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, but I need to respect those who disagree with me as people also created by God, the Righteous Judge, not me. I would like to carry on a conversation with people of all beliefs, cultures and religions. Agreeing to disagree can go a long way toward bringing peace on earth, something we can do with the grace of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Truth spoken, but not received, is still truth and we can continue to move forward in love.
Well said, Darlis.
“Agreeing to disagree can go a long way toward peace…” :=)
Have a great 4th of July with your fam and friends!