If I can be loved ‘exactly as I am,’ then I can keep voting against gay marriage. Right? I mean, you wouldn’t contradict Mr. Rogers by telling me that I should give up homophobia, would you?
Of course you would!
Your ‘unconditional love’ doesn’t apply universally. Certain people don’t qualify to be loved exactly as they are. Guys like…oh…me, for instance. You’ve told me over and over (and over) that I’m awful. I’m arrogant, narcissistic, condescending, rude, unkind, and absolutely ‘not funny.’ Worst of all, I’m white! I mean, I’m stupid for sure, but I’m not so dense that I believe I’m included in your group of people who are loved ‘as is.’
It’s just LGBTQ people who are loved ‘exactly’ as they are…right? If I want unquestioning, irrevocable inclusion in your circle of friendship, I need to be gay (or at least WISH I was gay). Your love for me depends on my views regarding sexuality. You hijacked Mr. Rogers to try and mask the truth that your compassion contains contingencies.
The problem that you have (which I do not have) is using the words ‘love’ and ‘accept’ interchangeably. You think it is impossible to love someone while rejecting their homosexuality. You cannot accept me unless I agree that ‘love is love.’
The irony is that Mr. Rogers is on my side. You’re the one withholding love until certain conditions are met. God has already demonstrated that he loves everyone but He doesn’t accept everyone He loves.
(Jeremiah 14:10) “They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the Lord does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins.”
