There is much commotion in America following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on marriage. A startling comparison is circulating in the blogosphere and throughout the interwebs. Homosexual communities are comparing their plight and struggle with discrimination as similar to racial injustice. This comparison ought to create much controversy and backlash. And yet, many remain quiet.
This is a heartbreaking comparison that ought to be approached with much thoughtfulness and wisdom. Our country’s ugly history with slavery is heart-wrenching and incomprehensible. The gross mistreatment of individuals exploited on the basis of their race is the result of a cacophony of unjust, immoral and reprehensible practices, thoughts and actions.
Race and sexual preference may be similar in the way they impact one’s sense of identity or cause potential for discrimination. However, that is where all comparisons ought to stop. To compare the two issues any further displays a revealing and blatant disregard for the seriousness surrounding the injustice of slavery and the way it continues to impact our culture in nuanced ways. This is a conversation that the church should be having.
When filling out employment and school applications, there is a reason the questionnaire includes a question on race. Racial inequality is still a problem today. Our country attempts to protect against discrimination – because it is still a reality. And so the dangerous and slippery slope of the comparison begins. How far will we take this comparison? Will applicants need to supply their sexual history in order to protect people against discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation? Is that right to do? What about issues of privacy?
From a Christian standpoint, the gay debate centers around the authority of scripture. Scripture mandates marriage between that of one man and one woman. There are examples of sexual brokenness throughout the Bible in the forms of adultery, polygamy, and homosexuality. Yet, the Bible clearly begins with the model story of one man, Adam, and one woman, Eve, united in marriage. Various verses directly reinforce this model of marriage (such as Mark 10:6-9 and Matthew 19:4-6).
Furthermore, the Bible calls for believers to guard against hypocrisy. Therefore, we are called to judge fellow believers in order to protect the church. The Bible clearly states in 1 Corinthians 5:12:
“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”
It is not a very popular verse. And yet, it articulates a Christian model for addressing the homosexual issue. Do not judge unbelievers; but, do judge your fellow believers. It is our responsibility to protect and defend the church and proclaim the gospel. The church must address the impact of sexual brokenness within the church as my colleague, Matthew Maule recently did.
But what remains most alarming is the conversation that isn’t taking place – the injustice of comparing racism and homophobia. The comparison is unhelpful; these are two entirely separate issues. The church is called to fight social injustice. And it is unjust to compare the discrimination of homosexuals with those who suffer because of racial injustice. It is a wholly harmful comparison that lacks sensitivity. And ultimately discourages people from deeply understanding the issues.
Comment by Gsaseeker on July 15, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Racial discrimination against blacks is not the only relevant example. Plenty of other racial groups have suffered from discrimination that has no relationship to the legacy of the African slave trade. Moreover, we also prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, disability and other “identity-related” categories. I mean, why should Christians enjoy protections in the workplace? They have no history of unjust discrimination or harassment in this country, and religion is many things, but there is no reasonable dispute that it is a choice. So why should we treat religious discrimination differently from sexual orientation discrimination?
I would also note that prohibiting racial discrimination also protects whites, notwithstanding your assertion that it is related to the history of slavery. Similarly, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation will extend to heterosexuals as well.
Comment by kirk on July 15, 2015 at 6:23 pm
So much nonsense. I know black Christians who are horrified that their history is ever compared to homosexuals. So many Christians blacks are very very conservative in their theology and ethics. In 2008, at the same time blacks in California voted for Obama, they also voted for DOMA.