Topic: How to respond to negative comments surrounding Marc's new found notoriety

[mommachef]

But how can we expect anyone to believe that Jesus really was the person that we claim he is if we can't even get along ourselves.

Can I get an AMEN??? 

Thank you for sharing this (and your entire post).  It's something that is troubling me at my own church and I've been asked to be part of a team to "fix" things, so my mind is spinning.  You just distilled it down to one sentence for me.  Thank you!

[thebrunsonian]

But how can we expect anyone to believe that Jesus really was the person that we claim he is if we can't even get along ourselves.

Can I get an AMEN??? 

Thank you for sharing this (and your entire post).  It's something that is troubling me at my own church and I've been asked to be part of a team to "fix" things, so my mind is spinning.  You just distilled it down to one sentence for me.  Thank you!

AMEN!!! Been trying to figure that one out for a long time. I can't believe how the body of Christ treats each other.

I've had to restrain myself from responding to some of the homosexual comments. I responded to a couple then decided I need to stop. I can't believe how ignorant they are though!

[thebrunsonian]

First, Gina has done a brilliant job on a few occasions of engaging some folks in some thoughtful discussion about believers and how we are not all the same judgmental people that nonbelievers seem to see. I applaud her efforts, and think they have made a difference in how some people have seen the body of Christ. Kudos to you Gina, you have been a model to me of how we should approach and engage these people and make them think.

We truly have to be very careful about how we approach these people as we and only we are ambassadors for the Christ that we follow, and it is only through our words and actions that these people will be influenced and see Him. It's a little intimidating sometimes, I have to admit, especially considering the grand scale of attention that Marc has gathered in this situation. But I truly believe God is using it for some great and mighty things, even if we cannot see all the elements and pieces right now.

A good friend of mine who is also a fan of the band admitted to me the other day that at first he was a little worried and skeptical about this situation and didn't agree with Marc doing this song, however he changed his mind after discussing it with his wife about the ways God can use people in these situations and how God can use this to speak to people.

We cannot make a difference for Christ continuing to only hang in our own small little circles "protecting" ourselves from the world. Sorry. It just doesn't work that way. Yes, you have to be well protected, prepared, armed and armored from the icky stuff that's out there, but Jesus calls us to GO OUT into the world to spread the gospel. That sometimes requires getting a little messy. You always would find Jesus amongst the nonbelievers, the sinners, the broken, etc. It is clear that Jesus' message and call is for us to go OUT.

I have noticed the band has never addressed homosexuality specifically. Some have said because they shy away from hot button issues; I disagree - if anything, they have the hallmark of really tackling some difficult subject and issues in their songs that no one else wants to touch. I think the grander message they probably want to convey more than anything is a message of love and hope for mankind; no matter your belief about it biblically, no matter where you stand on the issue, love above all else. Love them as people, treat them as fellow human beings and nothing less as you would love anyone else. Regardless of where he stands, Marc loves Freddy Mercury as a human being and a sinner just like any other one of us, and has an appreciation for him as an artist and a man who has a message.

If anything, Queen has a lot of songs with a lot of tough questions, and the gospel and Downhere's repertoire are the answers to those very questions. Looking for somebody to love? We have somebody for you to love... and He loves you.

Many points well said Scott

[Lzabeth]

Scott, I was looking for the "like" button for your entire post. Well said! And I second the kudos to Gina. Although the statements that make me mad are the ones from those claiming to be Christians.

I have noticed the band has never addressed homosexuality specifically. Some have said because they shy away from hot button issues; I disagree - if anything, they have the hallmark of really tackling some difficult subject and issues in their songs that no one else wants to touch.

Let’s see, in their songs, downhere has tackled: death, despair, loneliness, hypocrisy, guilt, disillusionment, heartbreak, pain, doubt, feeling distant from God, broken relationships, anxiety, surrender and inadequacy, just to name a few…that’s what draws me to their music. They grapple with real issues. Not your typical bubblegum pop.

[ExtravagantlyLoved]

Let’s see, in their songs, downhere has tackled: death, despair, loneliness, hypocrisy, guilt, disillusionment, heartbreak, pain, doubt, feeling distant from God, broken relationships, anxiety, surrender and inadequacy, just to name a few…that’s what draws me to their music. They grapple with real issues. Not your typical bubblegum pop.

A long list of things that I think are just as big, if not bigger, issues than homosexuality.

[thebrunsonian]

How come i"m not seeing the entirety of some of these comments and some of the quotes are blank?

[mommachef]

How come i"m not seeing the entirety of some of these comments and some of the quotes are blank?

Cuz you use one of those new-fangled machines with an apple on it.

[thebrunsonian]

How come i"m not seeing the entirety of some of these comments and some of the quotes are blank?

Cuz you use one of those new-fangled machines with an apple on it.

Ah. My machine is about 10 yrs old though...  rules!!! 

[ExtravagantlyLoved]

But how can we expect anyone to believe that Jesus really was the person that we claim he is if we can't even get along ourselves.

Can I get an AMEN??? 

Thank you for sharing this (and your entire post).  It's something that is troubling me at my own church and I've been asked to be part of a team to "fix" things, so my mind is spinning.  You just distilled it down to one sentence for me.  Thank you!

I'm happy something I said was useful. :-) No one likes to be a "clanging cymbal." I just said a prayer for you and your church. I'll be thinking about you guys.

[Mjoy]

Thank you all for writing this post, I couldn't have said it better than you all.  We have to pray for the people who are lost not put them down.  We are to be brothers and sisters in the Christ but I don't feel the unity at all.  I don't feel like I fit at my church at all.  There is a lot of division in the church, it is time we all wake up and become united as brothers and sisters.  Who is with me?