Last week mega-church pastor Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria appeared on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight to discuss everything from faith and charity to wealth. Unsurprisingly, his biblically-based views on homosexuality accumulated the most attention. Osteen stated, “…homosexuality is a sin.” He went on to note that homosexuality is one sin among many and he has no desire to “bash” homosexuals. But, that wasn’t enough for Morgan, who obviously felt differently, as he continued to press the issue as if Osteen’s perspective would change. It didn’t.
As our world changes, for better or for worse, fewer and fewer people seem to stand by their core values—whatever they may be. In the case of Osteen, the normalization of homosexuality turned his once socially-norm Christian beliefs into words of controversy. Yet, instead of faltering to the pressures of Morgan, and society at large, he stood his ground with grace. For those who live according to the same doctrine, his actions invoked strength.
Only a small percentage of people have the tenacity to live life in black and white, most prefer to straddle in gray. It takes courage to believe in something wholeheartedly because it also means you disbelieve in something else just as much. There is a level of accountability that comes with such vigor and no one wants to be judged. But, would you rather be judged as a person of substance or half-heartedness? The ever-sparkling gay figure skater Johnny Weir expressed it best when he simply recognized Osteen’s comments as his freedom of speech and beliefs. Regardless of what anyone may say or think, these are several reasons to stand up for your beliefs:
