Love the Sinner...

I am a follower of Christ. I have spent the better part of the past fifteen years reading, studying, and contemplating scripture. I'm not a Biblical scholar by any stretch, but I have the Word written on my heart and I am confident in the truth within its pages. Note I didn't say my understanding of the truth. I am confident in THE TRUTH within its pages.

Disclaimer: I do not believe the Bible teaches homosexuality is a sin. Here's a link to a two-part argument by the Reverend Elder Don Eastman, an Assembly of God educated theologian who, among others, helped form that belief. I'd encourage you to read about that point of view. You don't have to agree with it, but you should know about it. 

With all that said, this post isn't about homosexuality and sin. This post is about a phrase that we Christians need to quit using. You've used it before when referring to someone who is LGBTQ+. I know I did for years.

Did Jesus say it? (Nope. What He said was quite contrary.)

Is it in the Bible? (Not the one I've read time and time again.)

If Jesus didn't say it, and it's not in the Bible, why do Christians commonly invoke it when referring to people in the LGBTQ+ community?

It's origin is from one of the Patron Saints of Brewing Augustine, who wrote "Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum" in a fifth century letter. The Latin roughly translates to "with love for mankind and hatred of sins". 

Note the nuanced difference in Saint Augustine's comment. Love for mankind is not love the sinner. Sinner is personal and accusatory, mankind is universal and impartial. Hatred of sins is not hate the sin. He's using plural vs. singular vernacular. 

I'm no Saint, but as a brewer of beer I appreciate Saint Augustine's but I disagree with his philosophy on this topic. The overarching theme of the Bible is love, not hate. He should have stopped with love for mankind.

The phrase reappears fifteen hundred years later in Ghandi's autobiography, possibly as a response / clarification to what Saint Augustine wrote. Unfortunately those who use his words to justify "love the sin and hate the sinner" probably don't know important context that makes his an opposing viewpoint.

This is What Ghandi Wrote

Paraphrasing to Drive Home a Point

Today this poison comes in the form of Christians justifying their condemnation of LGBTQ+ because they believe that by simply being their authentic self individuals in the LGBTQ+ community are committing a mortal sin.

"Love the sinner and hate the sin" is dangerous because Christians think they're meeting Jesus's command to love people when in fact they are breaking it. There is NOTHING loving about "Hate the Sin". Would you say to "You are a sinner and I hate sin" to a stranger? To your neighbor? To your spouse? 

Here's the result of winning souls to Christ by preaching Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin.

According to Pew Research nearly half (48%) of LGBTQ+ adults say they have no religious affiliation compared to 20% among the general public. Of those LGBTQ+ adults who ARE religiously affiliated a full third (33%) say there is a conflict between their religious beliefs and sexual orientation / gender identity. 

As a straight white guy I'm appalled by the fact that straight white guys seem to be driving these statistics. Nearly three quarters (74%) of white evangelical Protestants along with a majority of all U.S. adults (55%) with a religious affiliation say homosexuality conflicts with their religious beliefs. 

Here's a link to the study if you want to read all the data around our current success in bringing LGBTQ+ people to Jesus. The data doesn't lie. "Hate the Sin" repels Children of God away from experiencing the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ.

THIS HAS TO STOP. 

Jesus was asked which was the most important commandment. Remember what He said? Here's a refresher, and I'm going back to the King James version so even "old school" Christians get the message. 

By the way - I used a more accurate representation of Christ's human form than the "European Jesus" common in New World churches because I sincerely believe that we as American Christians need to take a deep look into our world view and decide if ideas and theologies that have been baked into our culture for centuries needs to be challenged.

Okay, so back to the Word. Did you hear it? Love God. Love your Neighbor. Keep these two commandments and you fulfill the rest of them. You are Christ's representative. You are His hands & feet. 

"Hate the sin" is figuratively kicking the LGBTQ+ community with your feet and using your hands to push them away. I'm going to say it again: the data doesn't lie.

Know what else Jesus said? Don't judge other's sins. If you're going to judge, judge your own sin. Remove the plank from your eye you hypocrite. 

Bottom line, even if you think being gay is a sin you are commanded by Jesus to love the sinner. Period. End of sentence. Half of the LGBTQ+ community is not affiliated with religion because they are being poisoned by "hate the sin" Christians.  

I'm imploring you to follow this advice cleverly written in rainbow letters as a sign of my love for my LGBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors:

STOP HATING THE SIN! 

Your LGBTQ+ neighbor is a child of God. Accept them without judgement or hesitation. Go out of your way to invite them to your church and welcome them with open arms.

Celebrate their victories. Comfort them in grief. 

Consecrate the life-long bond they wish to share with another in God's love. Provide an answer for those who hear the call to ministry.

LOVE. THE. SINNER. 

 If you're in a church that doesn't believe in that you're in the wrong church.

Love Mankind. Period. End of Sentence.