I’m Sorry!!!!

We sure love stories of Christians hugging gay people, don’t we?

Don’t we???

Well, clearly somebody gets a kick out of them, because “news” articles about Christians going to pride parades and carrying apology signs keep popping up all over the internet.

Here’s an example.

“Members of the Church of Freedom in Christ Ministries stood at the main entrance of the parade holding signs that offered apologies for how the LGBT community has been treated by Christians.”

Their signs said things like, “I’m sorry I have looked down on you instead of honoring your humanity” and “I’m sorry for judging you.”  (Note: They mean “Sorry for judging you in a way you didn’t like.” But when you judge someone as a good, honorable human, that’s okay…)

One of the signs said, “Can I hug you?”

Now, I want to concede that some of the homosexuals at the pride parade found this gesture touching. (No pun intended.) One man interviewed by CNN was quoted saying:

“It was so genuine and most of us got teary eyed when we saw [the Christians]…It was just so empowering to have that kind of support from the very people who shunned us away.” –Kohlin Lallabban, a Gay Man at the Pride Parade

However, I’ve spent a lot of time on this blog reminding people that one person cannot speak for an entire “identity group,” and I’m not going to stop now.

*clears throat dramatically*

Mr. Lallabban doesn’t speak for homosexuals everywhere. His feelings and opinions are his feelings and opinions, but they don’t represent what every homosexual thinks and feels about Christians at Pride Parades.

Therefore, I feel it’s my duty to offer a few more apologies, which the Christians in that story didn’t cover. 

To the homosexuals who don’t appreciate having their rear-ends kissed by peppy strangers, allow me to say–truly!–I’m sorry for what happened at that parade.

I’m sorry there are many Christians who think “love” means plastering on a smile and saying nice-sounding things.

I’m sorry interacting with Church People is almost exactly like meeting a car salesman. 

My family and I watch the Netflix version of “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”  Maybe you’ve seen it.   In Season 2, the children in the story meet a group of candy stripers called the VFD’s (the “Volunteers Fighting Disease”), and I can’t get their song out of my head.

Here’s a sample of the lyrics:

“We visit people who are sick
And try to make them smile
Even if their noses bleed
Or if they cough up bile”

Tra la la, Fiddle dee dee
Hope you get well soon
Ho ho ho, hee hee hee
Have a heart-shaped balloon”

The words sound pleasant enough, don’t they?

Maybe certain patients in a hospital really would feel encouraged by the happy little tune.   I certainly can’t speak for everyone.

But, personally, I feel a little creeped out when I watch the video clip:

 

To the homosexuals who didn’t ask for a heart-shaped balloon (or a hug), I’m sorry.

Not everyone wants to hear shallow platitudes from people they’ve never met before.

In fact, I wrote a post several months ago called “People who don’t judge me aren’t ‘friends'” which was one of the most popular to date.   So maybe I’m on to something here?

Maybe MOST of us are tired of the fake smiles and the worthless singing that happens when Christians try building relationships without any judgment…?

I don’t know.

I can’t speak for everyone.

I’m just saying, if you don’t want to be “friends” with people who only say what you want to hear, I totally get it.  And I’m sorry that’s the only thing being offered by many churches.

If you’re ever looking to make contact with someone who WON’T sing or dance or sugar coat everything so she can sell Jesus to you, please reach out to me.

Sincerely,

-A Judgmental Christian in Indiana