Earlier this week, I listened to the Chris Plant broadcast, a conservative radio show. On this particular edition, Mr. Plant was discussing the transgender issues in the country. He seemed to wrestle with the idea of how transgender people identify themselves and the overall complexity of the transgender community. While I didn't listen to the entire segment, what I did hear left me with the usual side effects of a conservative talk show: a headache coupled with a bad taste in my mouth. When it comes to LGBT issues in America, the conservative view always seems to be a view of misunderstanding and judgment. Whether it be misguided morals or religious beliefs, most conservatives cannot allow any LGBT member or sympathizer to soil this “God-fearing country.” But to all these conservatives claiming to be holier than the rest of the sinful and unclean population, I pose a simple question. Whatever happened to love and kindness?
From gay people securing the right to marry to transgender citizens being
allowed to use whatever public restroom they identify with, it must
be truly difficult for the conservative Christians of these United
States. Gone are the days where one was free to discriminate against
lifestyles that they didn't understand. Now living in a new age of
acceptance, these citizens find themselves in a very difficult
position. Either they accept this new way of life or be labeled as
hateful bigots of a bygone era. Ignoring those choices, conservatives
have chosen to instead double down on the hatred and bigotry. A
choice that, when considering their faith, is quite hard to wrap ones
mind around.
As a
Christian, one should place love and kindness above all else. So I
can only be dumbfounded when anyone claiming the faith responds to
such issues with hate and judgment. The first action of a Christian
(or just a decent human being) when faced with conflicting ideals or
issues should be of understanding. You listen to the other side of
the argument and then find out a way to resolve the issue and also a
way in which both parties can coexist. That's not only the Christian
thing to do, but the human thing to do.
To
conservative Christians, I understand your plight. You feel as if you
are being left behind by the rest of society. All the other people
are finally getting their turn in this country and you are forced to
sit back and watch it all pervert this beautiful land you once called
home. But that same powerless feeling you have is what minority
groups like the LGBT community have been feeling for decades. They've
spent their entire lives hiding their truth from a world that would
not accept them because of who they are. And now that they are
finally able to be themselves without fear, you best believe that
they will take that opportunity. So my advice to all of the
conservative Christians out there is this: practice what you preach.
If you are true followers of Christ, then show it. If you don't
understand the lifestyles or issues of LGBT citizens, then ask them
for help. At least try to sympathize with their situation. It's just
a suggestion. But if you choose to continue down this path of hate,
just know that the rest of America will not follow you. The days of
discrimination are slowly but surely coming to an end and you can
either be apart of the change or be left behind. Whether you like it
or not, the new generation is all about acceptance and they want
nothing to do with your bigotry.
Thanks for reading.
