IT WAS MY DESIRE to share my position on the global backlash Kim Burrell has been receiving as a result of the message about homosexuality she shared with the congregation of her church.
I was able to watch the video, which some usedto shape their opinion on the situation, as well asone of Burrell’s responses via Facebook. Unfortunately, the recording of what was said in the church is not all clear due to the speed in which she spoke at times, her heavy accent and the recording quality of the smartphone.
I have been searching for a written version of what was said and haven’t been successful in finding any. As a result, I am unable to fairly assess and comment onwhat she did say.
That being said, I have observed that many people have taken some of her words and misrepresented them for their own personal agenda. Some articles blatantly lie about what was said.
Sadly, there are many who jumped on the bashing bandwagon based on what was written in tabloids, articles and blogs, having not watched the video for themselves. I encourage people to google the video and watch it, so they can shape their own opinion.
What I find amazing about these things is that they start as an individual bashing (Kim Burrell in this case) and quickly evolve to a Christian bashing, then a church bashing, then a religion bashing and finally a God/Jesus bashing.
Kim Burrell was heavily criticised for saying that homosexuals are perverted, but if you check the definition of “perverted”, she used the word in its correct context and meaning. Perverted (an adjective) is defined as the distortion from its original course, meaning or state. Given the original state of relationship was between man and woman, any diversion from this can be defined as perverted.
The bashing that Burrell received should have been expected and here is why. Anytime any individual, Christian or not, calls out sin for what it is in a person’s life, there will be a negative response and in this case a backlash.
No one likes to be told they are doing wrong or sinning, no one. In this situation, it was the sin of homosexuality, but if you had caught someone stealing, lying or cheating on their spouse and called them out for it, you will most likely always receive a “backlash” or negative response – unless that person has a humble and repentant heart. This is human nature.
Christians must accept some of the aggression they receive from the LGBT community and here is why:
1. There is a belief that Christians focus on the sin of homosexuality with greater emphasis and passion than they do other sins. As a result, some LGBT individuals feel unfairly targeted in comparison to other sinners.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says: Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God.
Homosexuality isn’t singled out from the list above. As a result, if Christians speak out passionately against one, they should in fairness and in principle speak out against all. Yes, each sin carries its own consequences but all are still sin.
2. Many Christians share a belief, which is taught in some churches, that God’s hatred towards homosexuality is greater than other sins. They use the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18 and 19 to support their argument. This is not the best approach as it is not a true or accurate representation of the scriptural account of why these two cities were destroyed.
Ezekiel 16:49-50 and Jude 1:7 state that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the people were arrogant, selfish, did not take care of the poor, and were perverted and sexually immoral, which would include homosexuality.
One of the expectations of Christianity is that you will be persecuted; you will suffer for the Gospel; you will be hated and you will be targeted – Jesus told us this would happen.
Standing up for righteousness and truth comes with a cost. Are you bold enough to stand for the Lord and what you believe, even if you stand alone?
• Corey Worrell, a former Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, is director of C2J Foundation Inc., a project-based NGO focusing on social development. Email: [email protected]