State houses and family reunions

"Troublesome issues like divorce and homosexuality take on a different cast when you confront them not in a state legislature but in a family reunion. " Philip Yancey

I was privy to a conversation yesterday about how the "homosexuals are getting out of hand."  The discussion was seasoned with phrases including "those people", "their kind", and "that bunch of degenerates."  It reminded me of how I felt when I was going through a divorce many years ago.   Phrases would be used that made me feel put into a category of people that were outside of the mainstream and it hurt.

The conversation also brought to mind the quote by Philip Yancey you just read.   Whether you are accepting of same sex attraction or feel it is wrong one thing should always be kept in mind.   Individual lives are directly impacted by what we do and say.   Our words and our behavior matter.

I truly belive that many, if not most,  of the conversations I described have good intentions.   Those engaging in them want what's best for people and our society,  but we must remember to think we're discussing people and not some idea that can't be hurt.  If we're discussing policy consider speaking as if a close friend or family member experiences same sex attraction. Chances are that someone you know and love does, and you don't want to hurt them further by saying things that make them feel unloved by you. If you heard someone speaking about you in the same manner how would you feel?

Something to consider.

Fosh