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I nearly got into an argument with a woman from my church tonight. It was regarding the new Bishop of New Hampshire. To say that we disagree on this matter would be an understatement. She is deeply pained by the ordination of a gay man as a bishop in her denomination. It flies in the face of what she understands to be God's commands to his people.
It would be easy to dismiss her as just another bigot -- but she isn't. She would never approve of violence toward gays, I am sure -- nor in fact would she urge the exclusion of gays from church. I know this, because I have heard her say so. And I get the impression that what is happening causes her genuine pain and confusion, and not a little anger.
To dismiss her anger, her pain, and her confusion as being unimportant would be to dismiss her as unimportant. And that would be a mistake and a tragedy. This woman spends an incredible amount of energy working for an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. She raises money, arranges for volunteers, and spends time down there herself. There are children who are healthy and happy today as a direct result of her efforts. She has made a real and substantial difference in the world around her. And she does it without asking for accolades or applause. I have immense respect for her, in no small part because in order to do all of this, she had to take risks, and do things which were new and uncomfortable at first. She went bravely onwards because she recognized that God was calling her. She is genuinely trying to follow in Christ's footsteps.
It is so easy to demonize those with whom we disagree -- especially on matters which touch us closely. It is so easy to overlook the bonds of humanity which tie all of us together. It is so easy to circle the wagons and consign others to hell as being unredeemable.
And in doing so, we make the world a colder and harder place, and risk becoming those whom we despise.
All of us, from the man sitting on Death Row to the baby born yesterday, are made in God's image. That so many of us -- and I certainly include myself in this number -- forget this so frequently is enough to make the angels weep.
I will never agree with my friend from church -- I can't, I simply believe in complete faith that she is wrong. I pray that those who feel the way she does will come to a different understanding of what God requires of us to be worthy of his service. No doubt she does the same.
But I am glad that I know her, and that she is in the world.
It would be easy to dismiss her as just another bigot -- but she isn't. She would never approve of violence toward gays, I am sure -- nor in fact would she urge the exclusion of gays from church. I know this, because I have heard her say so. And I get the impression that what is happening causes her genuine pain and confusion, and not a little anger.
To dismiss her anger, her pain, and her confusion as being unimportant would be to dismiss her as unimportant. And that would be a mistake and a tragedy. This woman spends an incredible amount of energy working for an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. She raises money, arranges for volunteers, and spends time down there herself. There are children who are healthy and happy today as a direct result of her efforts. She has made a real and substantial difference in the world around her. And she does it without asking for accolades or applause. I have immense respect for her, in no small part because in order to do all of this, she had to take risks, and do things which were new and uncomfortable at first. She went bravely onwards because she recognized that God was calling her. She is genuinely trying to follow in Christ's footsteps.
It is so easy to demonize those with whom we disagree -- especially on matters which touch us closely. It is so easy to overlook the bonds of humanity which tie all of us together. It is so easy to circle the wagons and consign others to hell as being unredeemable.
And in doing so, we make the world a colder and harder place, and risk becoming those whom we despise.
All of us, from the man sitting on Death Row to the baby born yesterday, are made in God's image. That so many of us -- and I certainly include myself in this number -- forget this so frequently is enough to make the angels weep.
I will never agree with my friend from church -- I can't, I simply believe in complete faith that she is wrong. I pray that those who feel the way she does will come to a different understanding of what God requires of us to be worthy of his service. No doubt she does the same.
But I am glad that I know her, and that she is in the world.
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It was an odd night.
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