Monday, November 21, 2005

Email

I received an email a few weeks ago from a guy who's thinking of starting a blog in response to the Ex-GayWatch blog. He's not sure what he'll call it and I wouldn't feel good about divulging any of his ideas here. He emailed me just wanting to start a dialogue, I think, to gain some insight, and to ultimately see if I might be interested in helping out with his efforts to start a blog. I'm not sure in what capacity I'd be of any help to him but as our dialouge continued and I uncovered what sounds like the nature of what he's wanting to do, this was my response to him:

I have to be honest with you here. I'm probably not interested in participating in a blog of the type you are describing. I rarely ever look at the ex-gay watch site. I know you've read my blog, or I assume you have. I have a real problem with all the fighting and politicizing that goes on surrounding not only this issue but other "hot" issues in our culture. I believe in individual responsibility. I also believe that we WILL be persecuted for our beliefs and we should expect that. Jesus promised it. The thing to do, as I see it, is not to join in and "persecute" the opposite side right back. The answer lies in loving one another and continuing (for the Christian) to seek Christ and His ways above all else.

That said, I can honestly say that I've never once felt "persecuted" on this blog by anyone who's taken the time to comment. I appreciate the gentleness with which those of you who are gay have commented about things I've said that I know must be difficult for you or at the very least stir up some defensive emotions. I trust that it's my gentleness of delivery and respect for you as individuals that causes this to occur.

grace

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

An ex-ex-gay watch?? Hee. Hee. :-D

To me, ex-gay watch is like so many "ex" groups (ex-Mormon, ex-Evangelical, ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. etc. etc. Just fill in a name and add an "ex" to it.) So many people go through a program or faith that they struggle with, come to not like, and speak out against the program/faith.

Unless someone was forced into an "exgay" program, they joined of their own free will. While 10 years ago someone might plausibly say that they had no GLBT resources to draw upon in their area to make an informed decision, today the internet provides boat loads of information of types, including support for persons who are not near a GLBT community. There are gay-friendly churches, gay Christian organizations, gay dating services, etc. all over the place. People become "exgay" because they want to. I do not think any "exgay," "ex-exgay," or "ex-ex-exgay" site is going to sway anyone.

grace said...

Robert,

Exactly! I just don't have the time or energy for that type of conflict. It seems many thrive on it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
grace

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and TDub!

I am going to attempt your buttermilk pie recipe for Thursday's dinner. I cannot say that I am the best cook, but even if something goes askew I am sure that with butter, buttermilk, and lots of sugar that it will not be too bad. ;-)

grace said...

Robert,
Aww..that makes me feel so good that you are making that pie! :)
I feel confident it will be great. Here's an extra tip...beat the eggs up a bit by themselves with an electric mixer and get them a little "fluffy"..like 2 mins. or so. Then add all the rest. YUM YUM! Beware, it's extremely RICH!
I expect a full report of how it turns out!
grace

grace said...

Robert,
I have NO IDEA why my reply to your pie comment posted two days after I wrote it. Weird. Anyway...hope the pie was yummy!
grace