It has been exactly one week since the deadly shooting rampage at an Orlando nightclub.
Unfortunately, it has also been a week since progressive political operatives and liberal armchair activists used an otherwise inspirational tweet by the Lieutenant Governor of Texas as a scapegoat for the anger we all felt that tragic Sunday morning.
For some background, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's staff has a practice of using his campaign Twitter account to send out a graphic image containing Bible quotes early on Sunday mornings. They are typically non-offensive and what you usually expect from the Evangelical Christian crowd on social media (likely a cue from the Verse of the Day Twitter feed). The tweet sent out the morning of Sunday, June 12, was no different according to several credible observers.
The attacks came from esteemed political figures of the left, long-shot candidates, and some downright lunatics. Watch the irrational hatred spew forth (beware of profanity) ...
From the fringe ...
And from the Libertarian nominee for HD 46 (via a public Facebook post):
Not that the Good Book or the (arguably) most powerful political figure in Texas needs any defending, but that verse could mean anything. No doubt Patrick's detractors (particularly the ones hanging out on social media during your usual church hours) immediately thought the verse meant that because gay people are doing wrong according to conservative Christians, then Dan Patrick must think they deserve what they get -- a sort of Americanized take on the Hindu teaching of karma.
The Tracker would point out that "a man" is not defined by St. Paul in Galatians 6:7. We'll take it to mean it applies to anyone generally, but we will gladly defer to Christian theological experts for that. If we're correct, then that means the shooter got his just reward, as well -- he will by no means enter paradise for his cowardly sneak attack on innocent civilians. Nor will those who used this dark moment in our nation's history to score political points get away with it as long as God is on the throne (assuming their motives were malicious).
Pondering this situation a week later, we now know that Patrick's tweet was a) on an automatic schedule, b) taken from a common Evangelical Christian source (Verse of the Day), and c) subject to various theological interpretations. What we do not know is when it was scheduled and for what motivation Galatians 6:7 was chosen. For that, we'll take Patrick's word: his full statement is below, with the entire passage from Galatians included.
Regardless of Team Patrick's motives -- we believe they were pure -- whatever happened to taking some time to mourn? Would it harm us any to lay down our social media arms (on the traditional Christian Sabbath, for that matter!) and grieve with our fellow Americans? Would gun control advocates lose any votes in Congress if they waited a day or two to blame the AR-15 and its relatives for our nation's gun violence? Would we lose the Second Amendment if we took a day or three to hold our tongues?
Moderate Southern Baptist ethics point man Russell Moore shares this insightful defense on why we should take time to grieve in a recent TIME magazine piece that we highly recommend.
"Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" (James 3:5).
Patrick's statement:
This morning as every Sunday morning for the past several years we post a verse from scripture. Those posts are chosen in advance and scheduled in advance. As noted to the media earlier the post from Galatians,that received many hateful comments, was put on the schedule Thursday. Our scripture was not posted in-the-action to the shooting.
I’m actually on an island. The Internet is slow. I first heard of the news late this morning from a reporter. However, this time, lag has given me an opportunity to reflect on this tragedy, your comments, our war on terrorism, our divided nation and God’s word for all of us.
The verse has nothing to do with God’s judgement on any one person or a specific group of people. If some chose to read into it what they wanted they either have never read Galatians Chapter 6 or have misread it.
Some wanted the post pulled down and others did not. Let me be clear, I didn’t pull down the FB post & tweet because God’s word is wrong. His word is never wrong. Taking down his word would be like tearing a page from the Bible because we didn’t like what God was telling us. I took it down to stop the hateful comments and the misinformation being spread of God’s message to all of us- straight or gay.
God’s message to all of us in the world is that of love and forgiveness – not hate. God says He came to prosper us – not harm of. However, Jesus was clear that the only way to the Father was through him.
We are all sinners, straight or gay, and we all fall short of heaven and eternal life unless we accept Christ as our Savior. He died on the cross for all of us. Let me repeat that. He loves us all and died for all of our sins.
In the public policy arena that are differences of opinion from many viewpoints. To often there is hate surrounding those differences. Whether it’s political parties, Presidential politics, or one of the many policy issues being debated today, our country is becoming more divided every day.
The hateful comments today on my post of a simple scripture verse, totally unrelated to the terrible killings last night, that were directed at me and God’s word, is another example of that hate. I pray these divisions will end.
Just as we saw the nation come together after 911 we need to come together again after the largest mass shooting in our history.
If some insist on hate speech as a response that is their decision, not mine. The enemy is ISIS not each other. We must come together to fight them. ISIS believes in the killing of gays. America does not and Christians do not Let’s focus on the real enemy.
For those who have never read Galatians 6 here is the full chapter. Only those who choose hate speech can suggest God’s word was directed at them. It was directed to the church of Galatia as Paul was talking to early Christians about moving from the law of Moses to the new Christian church.
Today God’s message is directed to ALL of us.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
6 Brothers,1 if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.Amen.
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