This week a firestorm erupted on the Facebook page of an up-and-coming Christian comedienne who also happens to be a Black woman.
Here’s The Back Story:
She posted the photo of a Pastor and his spouse taking part in special services the church had given to honor the couple (in the Black church, this type of special service is commonly known as “the Pastor & Wife’s Appreciation” or “the Pastor & Wife’s Anniversary.” This service commemorates each year of service by the couple, and is an annual tradition on the church’s calendar of services).
(Just as a FYI, there is also another service in a similar vein that is referred to as “the Church Appreciation” or “the Church Anniversary”).
While I’m at it, let me also inform the uninformed that in many Black churches, the Pastor’s wife is often referred to as “the First Lady.” (Yes, the same term given to the wife of the President of the United States. I’m not throwing any shade on the term, I’m just filling out The Back story).
Any who, Pastoral appreciations are standard fare for most Black churches. Except for one small detail.
The Pastor’s “wife” (spouse) in the photo was another man.
Raised herself as a “P.K.” or “Preacher’s Kid,” the Comedienne was tickled pink by the fact that the spouse of the Pastor in the photo was referred to as “The First Gentleman.”
She’d never heard of the term. She remembered how the term “First Lady” had applied to her Mother, so she thought the whole thing was hilarious. Hence the reason she posted the photo.
Whelp, before waiting to see what she would say about the photo or read her reason for posting it, the “Christians” came out in full force to comment on what they saw in the photo.
When I say “a firestorm erupted,” I’m not exaggerating: She received over 80 comments in about 5 – 6 minutes.
And what kinds of comments did the “Christians” post, you may ask?
Did the Christians post comments that reflected the love of Christ – comments that reflected a concern for the souls of the two men? Did the comments express thoughts of prayer, or even of reflection?
Did the comments demonstrate loving kindness – the same loving kindness God used when He supposedly drew them?
I dare say that you don’t even have to ask those questions – you probably already know the answers.
And that, my friends, is the sad part: You probably already know that the vast majority of the “Christians” who posted the comments evidently could not spell “Love,” much less show Love.
May I tell you that I’m. sick. and. tired. of. “Christians” who. only. seem. to. be. able. to. tell. you. who. and. what. they. HATE. instead. of. who. and. what. they. LOVE?
May I tell you that I’m disgusted by their bigotry and intolerance? May I tell you that I’m sickened and dismayed at the way they throw away – and trample under their feet – prime opportunities to be the light and love they sing and testify to each other about on Sunday mornings?
When I wasn’t busy being disgusted and angry, I was interested to see that the very people these “Christians” were trying to point the finger at and condemn (yeah, gays and lesbians – the people “Christians” seem to love to hate) – these very individuals were able to point out passages of scripture – in the same Bible these “Christians” say they read – and remind them of what the Word says about Love.
You know – LOVE – what that same Bible (in 1 John 4:8) says GOD is.
And for all of you who stand poised to swoop down on me and quote scriptures about homosexuality, don’t bother. I’m well versed in the Bible, and I don’t need you to tell me what it says on the subject of homosexuality.
What I DO need you to do – for starters – is look up all the verses that describe YOUR spiritual state.
Go ahead and start with the Gospels, somewhere around Matthew 7:3 (where the words are in red) where Jesus asks, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
And before you try to tell me that homosexuality is not “sawdust,” go ahead and read 1 John 5:17. (I’ll save you the time and tell you what it says: “All unrighteousness is sin.”)
ALL. unrighteousness. is. sin.
As in, the unrighteous, ungodly, and wicked things YOU do.
Guess what? Those things YOU do that oppose the word of God – those things are SIN.
(And, mind you, “unrighteousness” includes talking to people as if they were trash. Or talking about them as if they were trash. Or neglecting to remember that those persons you despise are made in the image and likeness of God – just like you are).
How ’bout you remember that Christ died for the ungodly – and “THEY” are included in that number (just as YOU are)?
The “Christians” who that night tried to pummel gays and lesbians with comments of “You’re going to hell” and “You’re an abomination” need to consider a little incident that is found in John 8:
The “teachers of the law and the Pharisees” (you know; people who prided themselves on how well THEY kept the law – yes; kinda like many of these modern-day “Christians”) brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in. the. very. act. of. ADULTERY.
(Chile, YES! CAUGHT IN THE ACT of CHEATING on her husband!)
*Clutching my pearls*
“They made her stand before the group” (yep; sounds like some “Christians” I know) and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
(See how they thumped the Bible at Jesus? They told Him what the law of Moses said to do to people who engaged in such sinful and dastardly behavior – as if He didn’t already know).
So, What Did Jesus Do?
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
So, you wanna know “What Would Jesus Do?”
Wanna know what I believe He’s doing to these “Christians” who show contempt instead of concern, a lack of love instead of loving kindness?
I’ll tell you.
He’d say, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”
He’ll wait.
And so will I.
Join in the Fray: Do you have a stone to throw?
I’m blogging every day in the month of April in Blogher’s NaBloPoMo Challenge. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!
Copyright © 2013 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, All rights reserved.
