Dear Editor:
I would like to offer more on the recent disagreement played out here concerning Christian's "right to discriminate" against gays (and other people they don't like). I wish I could say this is original work, but I cannot. Jessica Kantrowitz posted these thoughts on her blog "Ten Thousand Places" in very early April 2015. With masters in seminary, she is a great read. I hope my 400 words does her justice.
Quick, everyone, we have all heard the phrase "go the extra mile." What is the root? Where did this phrase come from? Answer. Christ's Sermon on the Mount. In Jesus' time, the Romans ruled. Per Roman law, if a solder requested someone carry equipment, the person had to do so for up to a mile. To the Israelites, the Romans were evil and ungodly. Their very presence in the land was blasphemous. (Concept sound familiar?)
In the Sermon on the Mount, with his followers gathered around him, Jesus referenced that law and told his followers what they should do in that case: "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." (Matthew 5:41). Many of us know other passages from Matthew, "If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." "And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well."
To copy from Jessica: If you believe gay marriage is immoral (I don't, myself) and a gay couple comes into your shop and asks you to bake a cake for their wedding, what should you do? If God causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the wedding days of straight and gay couples, then what is our responsibility? If it is against the law to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation, but you believe strongly that their lifestyle is immoral, what should you do?
Christians, our Jesus said, "Go with them two." If you are wondering if it is worth being sued and losing your business to stand up for what you believe is right, if you miss the look of hurt in the couple's eyes when you refuse them and only see an angry, media-driven, ACLU-led mob attacking the small business owner who is only standing up for what you believe in, what should you do?
Christians, our Jesus said, "Go with them two."
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