did you hear the joke about...

Early after I moved to Kentucky I met my good friend Rob. We had some classes together, he was in my wedding, and from time to time we’ll go hang out at Highbridge Park near the Kentucky River and talk about life. A couple of years ago Rob shared in chapel about his dealings with homosexuality. Since then, whenever we hang out, we call ourselves “that joke.”

Did you hear the one about the Arab and the Gay guy hanging out down by the river in Kentucky?

We have to laugh, because we both are students at the largest evangelical seminary in the country, and the evangelical church in America seems to have two main enemies these days: Arabs and gays.

One evening we were down by the river, and again the topic came up. This time I mentioned Pat Robertson, and how he has been one of the leading public voices in Christianity against Arabs and homosexuals. His support for Israel at the expense of Palestinians is at the same time hateful and legendary. And of course, his stance on homosexuality and the rights that they should be given are equally as hateful and damaging. We both lamented on how his voice is the one most associated with what Christians believe in the political realm, and how he does more damage than good. Pat, and others like him, are not all that much different from the fanatical Islamic clerics they criticize who use religion and ignorance to incite racism and violence.

Not five minutes later, an older couple walk by us and start up a conversation. The nice lady was very interested in who we were and what we did?

“Do you boys go to the Seminary?”

“Yes ma’am. And we work there, too.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. And do you know what you’ll do when you finish?”

“No ma’am. Neither of us really knows yet.”

“Well, don’t worry. God knows.”

And then, she said it:

“Do either of you listen to Pat Robertson?”

Without missing a beat, Rob said he never watches television, and I mentioned that we didn’t have cable so no, I didn’t get to listen to him.

“Well, you need to. If you watch his show you will see all the wonderful things God is doing. You watch him, and you’ll know that God has a plan for the two of you.”

This moment had been given to me. It was low-hanging fruit. The ball was on the tee. The response immediately came forth in my head. My mouth began to say the words.

“I’m not sure about that, ma’am. You see, he’s gay and I’m Arab, and well… Pat Robertson doesn’t like our types very much.”

But I didn’t. I “chose the high ground.” I let the opportunity pass.

I later asked Rob what he would have done if I had said what I wanted to. “I probably would have started laughing in disbelief that you went there,” he told me.

I honestly regret that I didn’t say anything. Maybe that is why I am telling this story now. I am tired of sitting in church services where the only two items on the pastoral prayer agenda are praying against the “evils of Islam” and the “evils of homosexuality.” I find it very interesting as I read the Scriptures that the only group Jesus criticizes or even demonizes are not the “sinners,” but the religious leaders… for not loving and serving those who do not think, act or believe as they do.

So did you hear the one about the Arab and the Gay guy hanging out in Kentucky? Yeah, God loves them and has a plan for their lives (just don’t ask Pat).

Luke 6:32-36:
“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."

The whores all seem to love Him, and the drunks propose a toast saying, "Surly God is with us."
Rich Mullins