As to why not just shut up about homosexuality? This goes to Christians being called to influence the world around us. As I stated in my article, we are called to be salt. One of the things salt does is preserve, and the Church is called to preserve morality, which means calling sin evil. Is it the first thing I want people to know about Christians? No. But it is a topic at the forefront of society, and if the Church is silent on it then we are giving tacit approval to something the Bible clearly condemns.

Finally, Broussard was using his faith as an example of being able to co-exist peacefully with those we disagree with. He said those comments in the reference to a gay journalist he is friends with and clearly stated that he and his friend get along knowing that they disagree on this issue. If you want to limit ESPN to merely a sports network, then it shouldn’t be covering the Collins story at all since homosexuality is a social issue, not a sports issue. But if they can cover Collins, an athlete who happens to be gay, why can’t Broussard, a journalist who happens to be a Christian, also share his worldview? It’s a pertinent question, and if you watch the interview, Broussard’s comments were neither out of context nor “evangelistic” in any way.

The difference in your diversity argument is that Jason Collins cannot change his orientation (ask us! We all try) but Chris Broussard can change his view. Now, here are you trying not to seem hostile, but your response and Broussard’s show that it is still brave to come out as gay in the US; you will get a great deal of back-up for your view, and others disagreeing is not persecution.

Why not just shut up about homosexuality? Is the first thing you want non-Christians to know about Christians, as if it were the most important thing about us, that we advocate celibacy for gay people?

And- ESPN is a sports TV network, which covers sports. It is not there to evangelise for Broussard’s particular view- which some Christians find unbiblical. Why should he not be sacked, for abusing his position to abuse a sportsman?

I hear what you’re saying about Christians getting too involved in this one specific issue. For my part, I still spend time in my own mind debating before making a post on FB or blog on the issue because I know that it can be taken the wrong way. On the other hand, as a minister / teacher of the Bible, I know that I am required to speak the “whole counsel of God” and rightly divide the word as you noted.

One thing that saddens me is the time factor here that we are days away from Easter which reminds us of the Resurrection of Christ thus showing He was and is all that He said he was; that he did indeed rise from the grave and bring victory over death and sin. That is what should be flooding the air and cyber waves and we are distracted by the politics of man in Washington. Just wonder what’s behind that in the spiritual realm.

Seems like balance in teaching and “all things in love” are two good mantras here.

Anyway . . . agreed.

First and foremost, comparisons can be made even when things aren’t exactly the same. The fight for interracial marriage specifically is close enough to compare to the fight for gay marriage. You may disagree, but the comparison can be made rationally.

“If you want respect, please, give some (again, this applies to both sides).”

Do we want respect?

Respect under the law, certainly. Respect from political opponents? I don’t know.

I’m not going to go out of my way, personally, to insult people. But it doesn’t really matter to me if people respect me, particularly those who disagree with my moral positions. That might sound cold, but it’s true.

I count many gay couples amongst my friends. And while I can’t speak for all of them, I’d be willing to bet that as long as they can legally get married they don’t care if they are respected by people who hold to anti-ssm positions.

“When I see someone try to twist Scripture to justify their own worldview the image I get is a child with a sword. ”

I see every Christian ever, yourself included, pulling from the big book of multiple choice and taking what they’re comfortable with.

“Finally, please realize that our faith is just as precious and personal to us as your worldview is to you.”

That’s fine. But your faith shouldn’t impact someone else’s life against their will.