POPE FRANCIS, PHIL ROBERTSON, MEGYN KELLY, THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS, CONSERVATIVES AND LIBERALS

Much has been written about Pope Francis, Phil Robertson, Megyn Kelly, and others who have expressed views that are controversial in a country that calls itself the "city on the hill" shining as the example of democracy and freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to own guns among other freedoms granted by the founding documents of the United States.

Phil Robertson

Phil Robertson is not a country bumpkin.  He is a college educated businessman who has built an empire on the duck calls he created. Phil graduated with a Masters Degree in education from Louisiana Tech. Phil was the quarterback of the Louisiana Tech who was one year ahead of Terry Bradshaw.   Terry stated that Phil was more interested in hunting than football.  Phil had a chance to play professional football for the Washington Redskins, but turned it down..   Phil married his wife in 1966.  They have four children.  Robertson converted to Christianity at the age of 28.  He is an active member of the Church of Christ.

Megyn Kelly is a well educated lawyer who has been a news commentator on Fox Years for several years.  She has been married twice.  She is a mother.  She is Roman Catholic.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936.  He was ordained a priest in 1969 and is a member of the Jesuit order.  He was a chemical technician and a bouncer before he entered the priesthood.  On February 28, he was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Since his election, he has gained praise for his concern for the poor.  He chose to live a simpler life than previous popes.  Some of his views on homosexuality and other practices of the Catholic church have led to his selection as Person of the Year by Time Magazine.   There are those who refer to him as a Marxist for his views on economic inequality.

There are many others who have entered all of our lives this year for their remarks or actions.  We have Sarah Palin, Alec Baldwin, Martin Bashir, Pat Robertson, and even the President of the United States who have made statements that have become fodder for news pundits and sometimes erupted in protests.

In all of this heated discussion and debate, let us not forget that these individuals are people.  They have all made statements that have inflamed us.  We often resort to bully tactics to prove our point.  I have heard commentators who have said the problem some have with Duck Dynasty is because they are folksy, down home, country bumpkins.  Maybe so.  Some point to GLAAD as driving the current outrage at Phil Robertson.  Yet, we all forget that all of these individuals are people.  All people are worth of love.  God is love.  God loves Pope Francis as much as God loves Phil Robertson.  God loves Jews just as much as God loves Christians.  God loves GLBT folks as much as God loves straight people.  God loves Baptists as much as God loves Methodists.  God loves Republicans as much as God loves Democrats.

No one is perfect.  We all say things we wish we hadn't.  Name calling, bullying, and the war on each other must stop though for this is not God's way.  We need to recognize some realities about life and our country.  We are made of all types of people. We have room in this country for gay people as well as straight people. We have room for Republicans as well as Democrats.  Love is the key.  Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela have shown the way.  Jesus has called us to love not hate.

Brandon Wallace writes the blog "The Gay Christian" (http://thegaychristian.com/?p=1299&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sibling-rivalry)  Brandon recently wrote about the way we have handled the divide that we feel exists in our country on issues like Gay Rights.  He wrote the following:

"True, I do it for one because I really do believe they are wrong, and there is a lot of hurt and pain and abuse and suicide and murder that takes place because of the things that they teach about homosexuality. But, after some introspection, I also believe sometimes I do it because I still want to feed off of that drive to please the conservatives. I was reminded this morning of a verse Paul wrote: If I am trying to please people, I am no longer a servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10).

",,,if I can remind myself that they are brothers and sisters before God, just like anyone else, then I am more likely to lovingly discuss the topics with them, without it getting out of hand. Then, and only then, is Christ involved in the discussion. Love is the only force powerful enough to break down prejudice and bigotry. Just because we can sometimes scream louder than the other side doesn’t mean anyone is actually listening. The only time listening occurs is when things get quiet, you give your brother a cup of tea, and you ask them to share their story, their views, and you share yours as well."

Thank you Brandon for sharing your insights.  May we all see God's way is not our way!