There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with these things on a moral ground. The problem I have, and what I can't seem to wrap my brain around is the fact that we are genuinely surprised when these things happen. Gay marriage was made legitimate and nationally recognized by the Supreme Court last year. Not only that, but the channel in question is Disney, who has always been one of the leading activists for gay rights and inclusivity, the Disney Parks literally started hosting "Gay Days" in the early 90's before gay pride was even trendy. Starbucks, the one who has offended us all so badly by not featuring snowmen or Christmas trees (as if those things have anything to do with Christmas in the biblical sense) has been a massive contributor to Planned Parenthood for years. And Target has never claimed a moral compass nor have they ever even pretended to be a company that supports Christian values. As a matter of fact, they have kind of been a leader in setting the tone for other companies to hire tattood, pierced, alternative, transgendered or gay employees before most major companies did.
These are three incredibly silly examples and yet, they have taken over social media at various points in the past year or two because "conservative Christians" decide that they are worth loudly, passionately protesting in the most obnoxious way possible. And that's just the three examples that come to mind right now, because I assure you, there have been dozens.
The problem with this is that it communicates to the rest of the world that we as Christians expect to be catered to according to our biblical beliefs and convictions when NO WHERE in scripture are we instructed to expect this type of treatment. In fact, we are told to expect to feel like aliens, to be hated by the world and to be shunned by the culture. We have instead become an entitled group of people who complain when our coffee cup doesn't suit us, while ignoring the fact that that cup of coffee also funded a donation to a group that aborts babies at all stages of pregnancy. We watch and support Disney because it's fun and wonderful and magical and then act revolted when they start to feature subtly gay characters in their movies and TV shows, regardless of the fact that we know where they stand on homosexuality and gay representation. We expect to feel comfortable in all of our TV viewing and entertainment choices and then feel the right to whine and protest on the internet when the reality doesn't meet our expectations. Why should it? Have we forgotten that we live in a fallen, evil world? Have we forgotten that scripture warned us the world would hate us in the same way that it first hated Christ?
The bigger problem: I can't for one second imagine Jesus Christ during His time on earth whining and protesting things the way that we do now. I can't for one second imagine Jesus saying things like "SEE, they're all just trying to convert us to their sick, liberal agenda..." Or, even worse, "I'll be damned if a perverted man in a dress tries to use the same bathroom as my daughter." I can't imagine Him ever making sweeping statements about transgendered or gay people in the way that we do. Homosexuality was spoken of in scripture, which means it's not new to our culture. Gay people have always existed, they just have a bigger platform and more representation in the media and politics now. We need to stop behaving as if this is a new thing that is shocking all of us. We were prepared for this, we were warned, we are equipped to deal with things like mature, compassionate, loving adults. We are choosing not to, and I'm sick of it.
Folks, we have all been sitting and relaxing in this pool for a long time. Over time, the water has become tepid and comfortable and we almost haven't noticed the temperature at all. Now, it's getting hotter, it's starting to boil, and we are all screaming about our "rights" to not be boiled alive when we never should have been sitting in the pool to begin with. We are called to be in the world and not of it. Nowhere in scripture does it say, "the world will know that you are my disciples when you protest stupid stuff on the internet." I'm not telling you not to refuse to partake in the things you feel convicted about not supporting. By all means, if the Holy Spirit has spoken truth to your soul about a particular thing and you feel called to abstain, ABSTAIN. "But when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to pray standing on street corners and in synagogues to be seen by others." (Matthew 6:5) But we are demolishing our witness with the sense of entitlement that we are communicating on social media. We do not earn extra spiritual points by protesting things loudly on social media. If anything, we start to turn people away and isolate the very people that we should be demonstrating a witness to. My urging is this: please, think before you post. If you could, for just a few seconds, ask yourself, could I imagine Jesus saying this in these words, or would He express this thought differently? Would He express it at all? Would He take action on this topic with words or with actions? Is this something I can demonstrate my conviction for in my behavior alone?
"What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. What I mean is that those who... make use of the things of the world should live as if they are not engrossed in them. For the world in its present form is passing away." 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
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