So the Ashers won their case. Horray!!
Is Mr Lee humiliated in his defeat? Probably not because his goal was possibly to highlight the discrimination against gay people and all people whose beliefs do not correspond to the mainstream conservative centre.
And in this Mr Lee has entirely succeeded. Every angry, triumphant vice of intolerance that hails this judgement as a victory for God confirms his argument. Every post that celebrates this as some kind of triumph over darkness proves him right.
For it is a fact. Gay people ARE discriminated against in society and more worryingly much more in churches. If a person is not treated the same because their beliefs and lifestyles don’t adhere to those in power then those people are oppressed.
As the angry voices die down and the satirical jokes subside, what will be the outcome? Well the Asher’s will probably experience a rise in turnover and a great sense of relief. But for young people of same sex attraction the message is loudly confirmed. You are not loved in the church.
And what is our beloved heavenly Fathers heart? That all might enter in and none perish. That everyone of his precious children would know that His grace is enough and mercy covers all sin. That all are welcome at His banqueting table and none has a special right of grace over another.
To the gay community our Father says: Come onto me all who are weak and heavy laden. For my burden is light and my yoke is easy. Behold I stand at the door and knock and if anyone should open it I will come in and dine with him. (I’ll even eat the cake)
To the church he says: If I speak in the tongues of angels, if I give my body to be burned. If I raise the dead in His name and cast out devils but have not love I am but a clanging symbol and a banging gong.
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