1. The sports side of it. This includes how teammates react, potential locker room issues, and fair treatment. We'll leave that up to the teams.
2. The "life" of "personal" aspect of it. We'll discuss that here:
I've struggled with this topic for the last year or so as the LGBT movement has really gained momentum nationally. The announcement by Jason Collins on Monday that he is a homosexual was significant in that it affirmed one of the founding principles of this nation: Everyone has a right to be whoever they want to be in this country without fear of persecution. That is an important right, and one that, based on religious freedom, this country was primarily founded upon. That foundation is important not only for those who agree with Jason Collins' lifestyle, but for those who disagree as well.
I am a Christian, meaning that I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth, was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified as a payment for all mankind's sin, and then rose again on the third day. I believe that with every fiber of my being. I have a constitutional right to believe those things, and my presuppositions for the beliefs that I hold are based in Biblical truths.
The coming out of a professional athlete, or any person for that matter, is a right protected by the Constitution of the United States. However, disagreeing with that belief, while Constitutionally protected as well, has become unpopular. It is an important thing for both the LGBT community and the Christian community as a whole to remember that while we all do not agree with one another's lifestyles or views, Christians especially are called to RESPECTFULLY disagree with other lifestyles and follow the example of Jesus Christ in how we disagree with this lifestyle. Make no mistake, this lifestyle is wrong. It is contrary to the Bible's teachings, and is a sin. That is an offensive stance to take, but it is one that is factual and based in truth. It does not mean that a Christian cannot still love a person who is openly gay, or openly a murderer, or openly an adulterer. Those are all sins as well, and no one sin is worse than another.
A point worth making is the one that Chris Broussard made this past week: any person living in open sin (or open rebellion against God) cannot be a Christian. As a person who has lived in open sin against God by intentionally choosing to commit sins I knew were wrong (which most people do everyday), I have a tendency to agree with Chris. I commend him for having the courage to stand up for what he believes in publicly, which so few people who have unpopular beliefs do. I also commend ESPN for not reprimanding him, and allowing him to express his opinion, even if it is an unpopular one, without reprisal (something that this country was founded on, as I mentioned in my first paragraph). I also disagree with Chris slightly because each of us choose to sin everyday, and yet Christ died for us anyway (while we were still sinners). It is something that is very difficult to know for sure, but what IS important is that Chris, and other Christians and/or those who disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, are able to live and function in a society where this lifestyle is prevalent. Both can live and function together while in disagreement without hurling insults at one another.
As we move forward on this issue we will see more and more gay athletes as that lifestyle becomes more prevalent in our society. The entire popluation does not agree with this, but it is something that will continue to be seen, and there is nothing short of tearing the US Constitution in half that will prevent it. It is important that disagreements that are had on this issue are allowed to be presented and believed on both sides without fear of persecution. It is an issue that is not going away, but what I fear may go away is an American's right to openly disagree with it. This is truly what we need to fight to preserve.
However, if it becomes increasingly unpopular to disagree with this lifestyle (which it will) and any other lifestyle contrary to Biblical teachings, I am prepared to still disagree with it, respectfully but firmly. Insults will be hurled at those of us who believe this way, and we must be ready to withstand it, because it is the truth. I hope, for our country's sake, we never extinguish constructive debate and disagreement on topics or the ability for an individual's beliefs to shape how they live life. That freedom is what makes this country great, and equally important for both those who agree with Jason Collins' lifestyle, and those who disagree with it.
Feel free to give us feedback...
By: The Sports Guys
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