**I understand by posting a blog like this...I am starting a fire among some of my friends...but I wanted to talk about this.**
Christian music artist, Jennifer Knapp, last month came out saying that she is a lesbian and has been with her partner for the past several years. She came out and spoke with several different news outlets, including Christianity Today. Here is the article that is posted from Christianity Today. Knapp states that she wanted to stop living a lie and finally just come out and tell people who she is as a person and an artist. So does this make her a bad person?? For some of you, the response will be "Yes! She is professing that she is a Christian but yet she is living in sin because she is a homosexual." Others will respond with, "No...she is not a bad person. I commend her for coming out and living the life of who she really is. She can teach the word while living with her true self." And others will sit and say, "Hmm....I don't know. I have to sit and think about this one!"
A pastor, Bob Botsford has posted his own blog about this. He met Jennifer several years ago with her manager when she was thinking about leaving the Christian Music Business because of the lifestyle that she is choosing to live. He kept quiet about what he thought about all of this until Jennifer came out to the public about her private life. You can read Bob's reaction here. I believe that everyone has their right to their own opinion as I have the right to my own.
With all of this coming about Larry King had both Bob and Jennifer on his show a couple weeks ago as well. I just finished watching all four parts of the show that I found over on YouTube. I found it very interesting as well. Since I have all four tabs open I will provide the links for you, so that you can just click and watch. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. I comment Larry for not taking sides (as he has in the past on certain issues) and letting each side take part on what they feel should be said. I think that Larry addresses some good points that makes both sides think.
So where do I stand on this?? Now...I will admit that I don't have all the scriptures memorized and that I have not been to church since last summer...but I do have my own thoughts on this. I believe that even gay and lesbians can have a relationship with Christ. For where is it my job to judge someone for their own sexual orientation?? Jesus says he doesn't need to be defended...that we need to love one another and not throw the stones. I agree with Jenny from Addison Road on all of this. Jenny states in her blog, '"When did Jesus ever stop and tell the disciples, "Look. There are a lot of sins out there. But homosexuality is at the top of that list. So attack it. Attack those people. Take up arms for me. Start the battle. Wage a war for my sake."' I believe that we need to accept everyone for who they are. I know of straight women who have heard the awful stories from other women in sexual abuse groups, and they can understand why some women would change their sexual orientation. Should we condemn them because of what a man did to them?? I think not!
For those of you who listen to Addison Road...are you going to stop listening to their music because Jenny took a stand on what she believes? How about you who listen to Jennifer Knapp?? And I am sure that I will get people who will stand up and tell me that I was wrong for posting this...but if we are suppose to love all...then lets do just that!
