Y'all Ought to be Ashamed.

From August 10, 2008

Yeah, I'm about to chew you out.

I don't know where anyone gets off thinking that the word "nigger" is okay to say depending on the context. And I think it's very ridiculous to say "white people can be 'n words', too" yet every time I've heard that word used these past few months, it was not in regards to anyone white.

I know that I spent nine months at NYU, in which black people are the extreme minority, yet I never heard the 'n word' ever uttered. To go even further, I didn't even encounter the more subtle racism - the slight discrimination, the "casual" verbal judgments. The only references to me even being black were made by myself in a joking manner or by other minorities, also in a joking manner. But outside of that, there were at the most two references made in the WHOLE year by the majority group to me being black.

It's a Southern thing.

Everybody's racist, though. Don't even attempt to deny it. I hate it when people try to preface statements with "I'm not racist, but...", because yes, you are, and yes that statement you're about to say is sooo racist. Unfortunately in this current society, it's a bit of an inherent thing. But what you say, how you act, and the unfair judgments you make can be controlled.

So if a black person pisses you off, there's no reason to be calling him the n-word. Surely you have to know the history behind that word. How demeaning it has always been and how it was created to be geared solely towards black people. Thus, it is highly disrespectful to use that word. Period - I don't care if you only use that in regards to "ghetto" people or you even all white people that sometimes, it's still a highly offensive and completely disrespectful term.

Now my feelings don't get hurt every time that's said. I just get upset because it showcases ignorance and disrespect. You throw around such a weighted and negative term like it's nothing, like a group of people haven't been fighting against it and other discriminations for generations. Call someone an "asshole". I can't say I condone of that, either, but at least it has none of the attached sentiments that the n-word, though.

I was talking to Carmen about this, and she understood my views of how I don't take it personally, but just find it incredibly disrespectul and thus, infuriating, because that's the way that she gets with the word "faggot." It is, in fact, that same deal. Leading into this.

I am not a gay rights activist. I'll be honest - I'm a Christian, the Bible does say that a man should not lay with a man the way he does a woman, and do find it to be unnatural. However, the treatment of homosexuals is appalling. The "f-word" is meant to demean and belittle a specific group of people. In the same way as the "n-word", it's a term that dehumanizes, thus implying that that individual is not good enough to be given an actual identity, so thus he will be called the "f-word" instead.

See, that is some people have such severe problems with Christians. We're supposedly apart of a faith built about love, yet some of us throw around those terms like nothing, though obviously they are quite hurtful. Do you seriously think that if Jesus was on Earth right now, he'd go around to gay people, calling them "faggots" and "queers." No, this is Jesus, who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors - the bottom of society at that time.

The foundation of Christianity is love. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins. Thus we are to show love in return - both to God and to those around us. Love, not condemn. Not treat a group of people so differently because we don't agree with their lifestyles.

It's quite hypocritical, too, in many ways, but especially because a lot Christians are willing to look past the sins of others and their own sins, yet come down so hard on homosexuality, as if it's the sin to end all sins. In my personal opinion, it's the most harmless. Promiscuous sex is way more damaging, if we're on the subject of sexuality. But God doesn't have a rating system of sin.

But it's pathetically funny, because surely if you ask some Christian what is worse - some guy who sleeps around a lot or a gay guy who is a virgin by choice, they'd say the former. That is not right.

Then there's the whole thing about how homosexuality is "different" because it's a lifestyle as opposed to an one-time act. Well, if you want to get technical, the "act" of someone being emotionally and physically attracted to someone of the same sex and pursuing a relationship with them is not a sin unless sex is involved, but rather the individual act of sex with someone of the same sex. I've read my Bible - and yes, it's all technical, so I won't dwell on that issue.

But is not anyone who is not a born again Christian living a sinful lifestyle, then? Yet there is a significantly less discrimination against those who aren't Christian than there is against homosexuals specifically.

Then the other "argument" is that supposedly one cannot be a Christian and a homosexual. But that's like saying that anyone who sins cannot be a Christian. Which of course is not true, because then no one would be a Christian. And then they'd bring up the whole "lifestyle" thing again, but is a Christian who has a problem with lying not a Christian? Or one who has a drinking problem?

But what it comes down to it all is that we really cannot define what a Christian is for others, now can we? We're just imperfect humans ourselves. So we have no right whatsoever to say that anyone isn't really a Christian, nor to condemn someone for anything, because that is for God and God alone.

We have no right to look down on anyone, homosexuals included, because we are not perfect ourselves.

Look up John 8:1-12. I'll paraphrase it. The Pharisees bring an adulterous woman to Jesus, saying that she needs to be stoned. Jesus says that whoever is that who is without sin can throw the first stone. No one, of course, does. Jesus then asks the woman where her accusers are, in which she answers that there aren't any. So Jesus says that He does not condemn her, either, and let's her go free,then tells us that we are to be like Him.

So maybe the next time you come across a homosexual and are getting ready to spit out a biting comment, think of these verses. It is not our place at all. It is between that person and God. And if some person is truly a Christian, but also a homosexual, then it will be taken care of if they do have that relationship with God. What "taken care of" means, none of us know, but it's not for us to know. Worry about yourself, and if you want to worry about others, do it respectfully and focus more on salvation.

We also should not look down on anyone, because we are supposed to approach everyone with love.

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I don't see anything about "don't be homosexual" or "condemn all homosexuals" or "call all gay people 'faggots'" or anything remotely like this. But love the Lord, then love your neighbor. Being condescending has nothing to do with love at all.

There are so many issues with the way people treat others in general. We're all guilty of it, myself included, of course. But if we work to improve on this by tackling the major cases first, or maybe even the minor cases, then we can improve. A lot of issues in this world would be solved if we just consistently treated people right.

I think if I write another note like this, it will be about forgiveness vs revenge. That's another thing I see a lot.

"I Will Praise You, O Lord, With My Whole Heart"

From April 5, 2010

Way to perform at a Church on Easter Sunday and not mention God at all, Jonas Brothers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMg79szKzLQ&feature=player_embedded

It’s one of those statements that borderline judgmental, I feel like.  Maybe it completely dips in judgmental - I don’t know, but I can’t help but think these things sometimes.  And I made an interesting discovery about myself -if I ever do find myself passing judgment, it’s not the non-Christians that I judge; it’s the Christians.

Either way, it’s wrong - I have no right to, and I like to think that I don’t do much judging, anyway.  But being imperfect, a human sinner, I succumb to these thoughts every so often, and I hate that.  I don’t want to judge anyone at all, ever.  But these occasional thoughts stem from the fact that I just don’t understand.  Christ is my LIFE, and I know I’m not always as open about Him as I should be, but what I aim to do with my life, I aim to do it for Him.  So it’s hard to me to fathom how someone can be sitting at such a position of influence in an industry that everyone pays attention to, and not be so blatantly obvious about their faith.  I’m not talking about just admitting to being a Christian - there’s so much more to our part in the world than that.

Some celebrities do a mighty fine job of it.  I love following Tiffany Thornton on twitter - she’s explicit about her faith and mentions it often.  But when it comes to the Jonas Brothers - yes, they stay out of trouble (at least as far as the public eye can tell) and flaunt their purity rings quite well, but four albums later, and you’ve got barely a handful of songs that maybe could be contributed to God?  In interviews, on their twitters, wherever - they hardly talk about their faith anymore.  They didn’t even mention God or Jesus in the “thank you” section of their latest album.  At least Selena Gomez did that (don’t be surprised if you see a whole tumblr post about how I do like what she’s doing with her fame, for the most part). And Demi Lovato’s first paragraph in her thank you section is excellent.

I do commend them for whatever philanthropy work they do.  For not being douchebags and having clean mouths and not (openly, at least, and I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt) participating in lewd acts of debauchery.  And that does put them quite a few steps ahead than most celebrities.  But as Christians in such an influential spot, I can barely fathom the impact they could have if they openly engaged with their faith just a little more for the world to see.  Can you imagine how many people would but a Christian album of theirs, just because they’re the Jonas Brothers?  Goodness, if I was them, I would be trying to slip in Jesus’ name in every single interview I ever did.  I’d be so outspoken, because man, these are people’s lives at stake.

At least, I hope I would.  I do have the perspective and maturity to understand that I am observing all of this from a fifth-hand point of view, and to quote the catchy theme song of a popular children’s television show, everything is not what it seems.  Maybe it’s not so easy, but I suppose part of me can’t help but think that maybe they’re just not trying hard enough.

And to watch the Jonas Brothers’ appearance at Saddleback Church and to hear no explicit mention of Jesus Christ - I don’t understand that.  Nick implored people to “make the commitment [he] made and not let [miscellaneous problems] slow [them] down.”  Um, how about in times of trouble (or should I say “trying times”), seek God and keep your faith in Him?  You’re at a Church service on Easter - it’s okay to say God’s name, Nick.

I guess I’m just a firm believer - no matter who you are - that it’s just not enough to say you’re a Christian.  Even in Hollywood, I think claiming Christianity is hardly detrimental to your reputation (especially when you’re a Disney star).  It’s when you’re really open with it, bold about it, letting it be so obvious in every faucet of your life that perhaps the persecution comes, but isn’t glorifying our Lord and sharing the Word so much more important than worldy success?  If their fanbase or their Disney contract is what’s stopping the Jonas Brothers from releasing a Christian album or doing whatever, then I say “Screw it.”  They have money, they have influence, they have power - they should at least give a try.  But (in the words of Joe’s fake girlfriend) baby, that’s just me.

I just know that I dream of Hollywood so I can be a influential Christian in Hollywood.  I don’t dream of fame.  I dream of glorifying my Lord by using the talents He’s given me.  And I will do my best to share the love of Christ in all I do - implicitly and explicitly.  Definitely not saying that I’m better than anyone - I’m definitely not at all.  I just wish I’d hear more about the Jonas Brothers and their faith.  And I’m still praying for a Christian album out of them.  And actually really praying for a Christian album out of Demi Lovato - that would have me musically set for life.

On a completely separate note, why does Nick talk like a 60 year old black man that grew up playing the blues in bars down South?  Nick Jonas and Justin Bieber - the Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake of the tween generation.

And okay, I’m about to slip into super Christian mode right now, and I don’t care, but it honestly disgusts me to see a huge “I <3 Nick” banner at a Easter Church service. What?!  That day is about JESUS, that service is about Jesus, and Nick Jonas is getting all of the glory?  That just pisses me off.  And not sure how I feel about a church service being turned into a Jonas Brothers concert, but at least people who may not have gone to church at all that day got a sermon, even if that was their original intent.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts.