For Cluck's Sake

First, let me caveat this and say this is not a point of view on free speech. Nor does it really have anything to do with what Phil Robertson said or did not say in his GQ interview. And its not an op ed on the authenticity of Robertson's faith, or his family either. Moreover, its some thoughts around the public reaction.

To surmise a bit for posterity's sake, Phil Robertson is the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan—who one might say are, the "christian" version of the Kardashians. Duck Dynasty is a reality show about a family who invented a duck call, and they've since made fortunes in sales and merchandising. Its a really popular show on A&E. Oh, and they pray around the table, and talk about God.

So Phil has said some comments that some found insulting and cruel to the homosexual community, and A&E has suspended him from the show. Well, there's been a tremendous amount of backlash from the "liberal media", the "right wing conservatives", "the hollywood elite", the LGBT community leadership, Christian groups and sundry other "organizations". Piers Morgan nearly blew a gasket in discussion about the subject on his CNN show yesterday, and Shawn Hannity and various Fox News analysts have steamrolled guests and shouted over one another with their perspectives and beliefs.

But enough about that. This is about the "church" and "christian" community who are yelling loudly across Facebook and other social media. There are all sorts of "those hypocrites", "they", "them", "we", "our" culture warriors in full force lambasting and protesting.

I wonder what Jesus would have done with a Facebook account.

There is so much outrage, or better yet, table turning about this topic. Now I'm not the brightest bulb, nor the most intensive Biblical scholar, but I believe the only table turning Jesus did was when He turned them over in His Father's house when others turned it into a "den of thieves". Jesus turned tables when His Father's house was impacted. When outside His Father's house, he served, loved, protected, ate with, drank with, and told stories to people. He loved them so much.

I'm not sure Jesus would have taken to the airwaves to defend Himself or His Faith.

I don't understand the Christians response of such anger, and outrage, outside of His Father's house? Jesus didn't respond that way outside His Father's house (although He did have some direct conversation with the "religious" church leadership of the day—"Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?"). Jesus also said that His Kingdom is not of this world. Yet we are so focused on making it so. Where are the relationally-motivated status updates? Where is the compassion to meet others where there is need? Where are the invitations to sup? To share the Gospel vs. tell it? Where is the acknowledgement of our own sins, vs. the index fingers aimed at others?

I'm sure there's lots to this story, and I know there's lots of passion around this issue, and there's probably some theological defense, but I'm just taken aback by the lack of grace and mercy. Its like we want—check that—need to win. We're right. You're wrong. And we will gloat when we win, too. 

I guess this is a call for Grace. Too non-existent these days.

I was talking with a guy who said that he and his family have a gay friend and they went bowling with him and some of his gay friends. I don't think Jesus would lambast homosexuality. I think He'd go bowling and tell some stories. And maybe buy the first round.