|
||||
|
August 23, 2001 'Smatter of Fact Recent events in Cortez have reminded me of Rodney King’s plea: Can’t we all just get along? Homosexuality is an extremely divisive issue. Whether it is right, wrong, or neither is a point on which Cortez shall forever disagree. Looking at some of the responses to the murder of Fred Martinez Jr., I am honestly stunned. You see, I can’t begin to understand what business it is of mine how a young man chose to dress; whom my neighbors and friends sleep with, or what sex they may be attracted to. As I have enough going on in my own life, I cannot imagine spending my every waking moment obsessing over what someone else is doing. The morality of others is something I am unfit to judge; I am not God. I am not wise enough to divine what He thinks, nor am I arrogant enough to try. "It’s a choice," say some, disagreeing with those who insist there is biological and scientific evidence to the contrary. Others state unequivocally that it is a sin. I appreciate that the objection some have against homosexuality is based on a genuine spiritual belief, not malice. But let’s ponder sin, shall we? A Sunday school teacher once told me "sin" came from a word meaning "to miss the mark." The Bible plainly states that homosexuality is a sin ... one of many. Yet, there has been no hue and cry against the numerous people who take God’s name in vain on a daily basis. Probably, no one really thinks we should stone adulterers. Many routinely break Old Testament dietary rules; few of us believe women are going to hell for wearing "men’s clothing." And that pesky discourse about always obeying and respecting the government? Why, surely that only applied to a time when religious minorities were persecuted, and therefore, needed to watch their step! How interesting that we only hold a select few to a literal translation of the Bible. How sad that we forget the numerous times in any given day we ourselves "miss the mark." Could it be hypocrisy is another way we stray off target? In defense of individual views about "what God really means," chapter-and-verse quotations have flown across this opinion page for several weeks. I note, however, some significant omissions: "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (note the second word, please). "Love thy neighbor as thyself." "Judge not, lest ye be judged also." "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." "Do unto others as you would have done to you." (As you would have done to you; not "as is done to you.") We come finally to the biggie: "Thou shalt not kill." This one seems to have been completely forgotten, as both sides draw battle lines across the body of one boy. The crime (and sin) of murder has been committed. The sins of hatred and tale-bearing are marching merrily on, as both sides become entrenched in a war having little to do with the victim. F.C. Martinez was a mother’s doting son; a beloved little brother; a student; a good friend, a loving kinsman. In no way, shape or form, did he deserve what happened to him — no one does. Implying otherwise, no matter what protestations are being used, is tacit approval of his murder. F.C. was also a human being, not a cause. It is inappropriate that some groups seem to be manipulating the circumstances of his death to better fit their own agenda — regardless of how well-meaning that agenda may be. Although not every group has done so, it is equally inappropriate for them to judge everyone who uses the words "God" or "Bible" as narrow-minded, ignorant hicks, and then insist that their message is "tolerance." F.C. was murdered. Murder is a sin. That sin, and justice for it, should be our focus. Until it is, this community can never heal. Now, please, for his sake, can’t we agree to disagree about the rest? |
||||
|
Copyright © 2001 the Cortez Journal.
All rights reserved. |
