May 29, 2013
Endorsements
The credentials for a keynote speaker at my Christian writer’s conference included
being a pastor for a couple of years, a poet, and published author of more than
20 books. During his address he held up a book of another poet and asked how
many knew of the author. It appeared that very few in the audience were
acquainted with her work, so he encouraged us to read her wonderful books
adding, “…She is a lesbian who recently
lost her partner.” He then proceeded to read one of her poems to the audience.
After the presentation I discussed my dismay with friends and they were quick
to defend the speaker by pointing out that he is a very compassionate man. Their
insinuation was that compassion can be demonstrated by being inclusive and nonjudgmental.
Point taken. However, I consider my preacher to be a compassionate person, but I
guarantee that neither he, nor our church leaders, would ever promote a book of
poetry written by a lesbian, regardless of how well it is written.
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----Credentials are a heuristic more culpable than most in the errors and outright frauds of mankind. The wisest of men might utter the most significant statement for the conditions of good life and politics, but lest he holds the proper credentials, only the few who know him will ever hear what he said. In place of his wisdom is raised up the moronry of unreserved fools holding multiple college degrees, having written volumes upon volumes of utter tripe, and poking their deceitful mugs into every occasion for recognition. The fact that their logic is non-existent and their ideas are mere rationalizations of whims never reaches the public’s consideration. They are simply received because they have credentials. So the public mind is more shaped by their ideas than by actual wisdom and understanding.
-----Unfortunately, “my preacher” is one of the biggest credentials in Christianity. Preachers are also subject to popularity contests, being men, being that popularity drives marketability, and marketability makes wealth and power, which men like. Look at how your friends defended this “preacher”, “…pointing out that he is a very compassionate man.” As an affect, compassion can be given to anything. Many things are not worthy of compassion. Although all people are worthy of compassion, their works are not people, they are things. So, maybe the “preacher” had compassion for the lesbian, which I also have because of her wart of lesbianism even more than for her loss of a “partner“. But discernment does not accept evil, even out of compassion. She is human; her philosophy is rebellion. She is worthy of compassion for what she lacks, including the eyes to see and ears to hear that her rebellion is evil. That is no cause to hold her rebellion up in front of others and treat it like honey, whether or not it takes the form of poetry.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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