Derek Webb’s new song expresses sympathy for gays and includes the s-word.
Oh, Derek.
– May 14, 2009
Derek Webb’s new song expresses sympathy for gays and includes the s-word.
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Richard Clark (Co-Founder/Editor-in-Chief) has spent his entire life writing, reading, listening, and playing. He has a Bachelors in Theology from the Baptist College of Florida and has a Master of Arts in Theology and the Arts from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He lives in Louisville, KY where he is the classroom technology manager at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition to writing at Christ and Pop Culture, he is also a staff writer for Kill Screen Magazine's website and has written for various other outlets such as Paste, Gamasutra, and Collide.
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Criticizing the way Christians treat homosexuals is not the same thing as expressing “sympathy for gays.”
It’s always interesting to observe the specific language people use to communicate things. Good call, Alan.
Despite that difference, is there really anything wrong with having sympathy for homosexuals? I sympathize with people whose lives are devoted to drug abuse, with people whose ideologies lead them to live meaningless lives, with teenagers who are parents. Why not with homosexuals?
The Danes last blog post..20090417.teaParty
It is unfortunate that language so frequently lacks clarity. We use words in so many different ways. Here again it is an issue of how one is using the word “sympathize.” Many use the word in a way that carries the connotations of joining or approving. We, as Christians, should certainly sympathize with everyone…after all Paul says “as were some of you.” We are all sinners deserving wrath. The issue, of course, has to be that we sympathize without saying, “It’s okay to be homosexual, there’s nothing wrong with it.” I imagine that the authors of the article intended to imply that Webb was supporting homosexuals (it gets more attention that way).
Yeah, what David said. Sympathize with gays AND includes the s-word suggests that they are somehow equally obscene. I guess that’s what I was responding to. In that sense, sympathize has the connotation of sympathizing with the “agenda” of homosexuals rather than them as people.
I would agree with all the conversation thus far, especially the nice distinction between sympathy an approbation. I’d only add that the link’s analysis is good on regarding this point: “standing up” to your Christian label so you can use a stronger alusion to bowel functions is far from artistic bravery. It is, rather, quite Jr. High.
Um, sorry about all the spelling and other errors on that last comment.
Your apology is not accepted Adam, a man of your academic quality is not allowed any excuse.