baumgrenze
11-16-2008, 01:17 AM
After some reflection and a lot of help from my wife and other friends, I finally put together this 'letter to the editor' and accompanying title. It is my attempt to help at least a few of those who helped Prop 8 to pass see the harm they have done:
Is the passage of a “faith-based” definition of marriage worth the stumbling block it has created to the spread of the Gospel? Isn’t this a short-term tactical victory wed to a long-term strategic failure? Why do I ask? Consider this. In their zeal to pass Prop 8, its supporters decided that an ‘ends justify the means’ approach was the sure way to victory in a come-from-behind campaign. Regrettably, their campaign soon resorted to prevarication and deception. Those in the ‘choir’ who voted yes did not need deception to assure their vote. If asked, I’m certain they would also confirm their desire to share the Gospel. Those not in the ‘choir,’ who saw through the deception and voted no, are the very people the Church most wants to evangelize. After a “faith-based” campaign that sold Prop 8 through deception, is it any wonder that acceptance of the Gospel is now meeting greater resistance? For this Christian, the passage of Prop 8 is a sad victory indeed.
For the record, I'm 68. My wife and I celebrated our 46th anniversary this year. We are parents of a first-born angel, an almost 40-year-old gay son who lives in Oakland, an a just-turned 36-year-old lesbian daughter in South Carolina (south exurban Charlotte, NC.) We are active PFLAG parents. We've marched in San Francisco Pride many times. My biggest challenge is witnessing to my evangelical conservative friends at church. I'm slowly learning that "telling my story in love" is the only effective tool I have. Enough for now.
God bless,
John
Is the passage of a “faith-based” definition of marriage worth the stumbling block it has created to the spread of the Gospel? Isn’t this a short-term tactical victory wed to a long-term strategic failure? Why do I ask? Consider this. In their zeal to pass Prop 8, its supporters decided that an ‘ends justify the means’ approach was the sure way to victory in a come-from-behind campaign. Regrettably, their campaign soon resorted to prevarication and deception. Those in the ‘choir’ who voted yes did not need deception to assure their vote. If asked, I’m certain they would also confirm their desire to share the Gospel. Those not in the ‘choir,’ who saw through the deception and voted no, are the very people the Church most wants to evangelize. After a “faith-based” campaign that sold Prop 8 through deception, is it any wonder that acceptance of the Gospel is now meeting greater resistance? For this Christian, the passage of Prop 8 is a sad victory indeed.
For the record, I'm 68. My wife and I celebrated our 46th anniversary this year. We are parents of a first-born angel, an almost 40-year-old gay son who lives in Oakland, an a just-turned 36-year-old lesbian daughter in South Carolina (south exurban Charlotte, NC.) We are active PFLAG parents. We've marched in San Francisco Pride many times. My biggest challenge is witnessing to my evangelical conservative friends at church. I'm slowly learning that "telling my story in love" is the only effective tool I have. Enough for now.
God bless,
John