The Great Irish Roast: Tackling the Thorny Issue of Christianity and LGBTQ+ Rights
Céad mile fáilte, me boyos and girls! Welcome to a right ol’ chat about the most divisive topics of our time: Christianity, LGBTQ+ rights, and the eternal conundrum of how to love thy neighbor without losing thy mind. Now, I know what you’re thinkin’: "What’s the craic, Ryan? Why are you stickin’ your neck out on this one?" Well, me friends, it’s because I believe in the power of honest dialogue and a good ol’ fashioned Irish roast to get to the heart of the matter.
It all started with a blog post by Dan Pearce, aka "Single Dad Laughing," back in 2011. His article, "I’m Christian Unless You’re Gay," went viral and sparked a heated debate across social and religious communities. Now, I’m not one to shy away from a good debate, so I decided to weigh in with me own two cents. I made a YouTube video response, which is still available for your viewing pleasure, where I shared me thoughts as a punk rock libertarian, a Christian, and someone who believes in both tolerance and truth.
But, as is often the case, the original article has since been removed from Pearce’s blog. Fear not, me friends, for the Internet Archive has preserved it for posterity, and you can still read it for yourself. This, me friends, is why we must support the Internet Archive – our cultural memory matters, especially in an era where contentious content can disappear without a trace.
The Pearce Piece: A Plea for Kindness with Strings Attached
Pearce’s central point is a valid one: far too many self-proclaimed Christians treat LGBTQ+ individuals with disdain, contempt, or fake kindness. Now, I’ve lived in Mormon culture and witnessed me share of pious backstabbing, so I get it. Hypocrisy is a right ol’ scourge, and we should call it out for what it is. However, where Pearce loses me is when he uses that hypocrisy to reshape what Christianity actually teaches. He goes beyond "we should be kinder" and veers into "if you disagree with homosexuality, you’re not a real Christian." That’s dishonest, me friends, and manipulative to boot.
Christ Was Not a Doormat
Let’s set the record straight: Jesus Christ taught love, mercy, and redemption, but He was no feel-good hippie who let anything slide in the name of inclusion. In Matthew 16:23, Jesus tells Peter to "get behind me, Satan." In Matthew 21:12, He drives out the money changers with a whip, and in Matthew 23:33, He calls the Pharisees "you snakes, you brood of vipers." Christ judged many people, mostly religious elites and hypocrites, and He never shied away from calling out sin, especially when it was clothed in self-righteousness.
Everyone’s Tolerant – Until They’re Not
Pearce suggests that the world would be a better place if we were simply more tolerant. But here’s the truth, me friends: everyone is intolerant of something. Tolerance has boundaries, and even the most open-minded person has lines they won’t cross. That’s not a flaw; it’s human nature. We don’t tolerate murder, theft, or abuse, and we make judgment calls every day about character, danger, trustworthiness, health, and values.
Real Love vs. Emotional Blackmail
The kind of "love" Pearce is advocating for isn’t love at all; it’s emotional blackmail. If you don’t agree with someone’s life choices, you’re accused of hate. If you stand on Scripture, you’re labeled a bigot. That’s not love, me friends; that’s emotional manipulation. Love says, "I care about you even if I disagree." That kind of love is harder, but it’s honest, and it’s the only kind of love that leads to actual peace.
I Support Gay Rights – Because I’m a Libertarian
Now, let me be clear: I support gay marriage, not because I affirm the lifestyle, but because I believe in freedom. The government has no business telling people who they can or can’t marry. I supported Ron Paul for this reason; he consistently defended personal liberty across the board. I also believe that Mormons should be able to practice polygamy if it’s between consenting adults. If you’re not hurting children or violating others’ rights, the government should stay out of it. Liberty doesn’t mean celebrating everything; it means choosing your own path and letting others choose theirs.
Mob Mentality Is the Real Danger
The danger isn’t Christian hypocrisy or gay pride; it’s mob mentality. It’s the herd psychology that leads any group, once it becomes a majority, to marginalize others. I saw it in Mormonism, I saw it in LGBTQ+ communities, and I see it today in cancel culture. Pearce complains about Christians forming a "mob" against gay people, but what about LGBTQ+ activists who call for people to be fired, banned, or censored for holding traditional views on marriage? That’s not justice; that’s just a different uniform for the same army.
When You Talk About Christ, Be Honest
If you want to reach Christians, don’t insult them by misrepresenting Christ. Don’t paint Him as someone He wasn’t. That’s not persuasive; it’s offensive. You’re not going to convert someone by telling them the Son of God was a pacifist doormat. You’ll just make them tune you out. Instead, talk about Christ as He was: a radical teacher of truth who confronted the powerful, defended the vulnerable, and took sin seriously.
Final Thoughts: I Support Dialogue, Not Dogma
Dan Pearce made some good points, but he wrapped them in a message that demands one-sided tolerance. That’s not a road to peace; it’s a road to quiet resentment and deeper division. I made my video because I want honest dialogue. I want to talk about uncomfortable things. I want to challenge my own biases and yours. I’ve marched in pride parades, I’ve opposed Proposition 8, and I’ve spoken out in favor of gay marriage and personal liberty. But I won’t stand by while Jesus gets twisted into a mascot for whatever cultural movement is trending.
So, me dear friends, let’s have a chat, shall we? Let’s talk about the tough stuff, and let’s do it with honesty, humor, and a wee bit of Irish flair. Sláinte!
