Jason Collins and Chris Broussard: How Telling Christianity's Truth About Homosexuality Makes You a Bad Guy
Dateline: April 29, 2013.
"And I'm gay."
Jason Collins, the current Washington Wizard (and NBA journeyman center), announced to the world that he is homosexual. The earth-shattering part of said news is simple: He is the first athlete in professional American sports (NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB) who has 'come out'. We've had professional athletes in tennis already do the same. Martina Navratilova is one of them. Billie Jean King is another. So, let's be honest: To say Jason Collins is the first professional athlete to admit he's homosexual is very misleading. Let's also be honest the other way: In the American lexicon, where does tennis fall in terms of a huge following? More than likely, it is behind baseball, football, basketball and (maybe) hockey. So when it was known that King and Navratilova were lesbian, the earth didn't truly "shake."
A male professional basketball player, on the other hand, is a different story.
Let's put this in brass tacks, shall we? We're talking about a player whose career highs are the following: 6.4 PPG (points per game), .9 BPG (blocks per game), .9 SPG (steals per game — respectable for a center), 2 APG (assists per game), 6.1 RPG (rebounds per game), 76% FT% (free-throw percentage), .508 FG% (field goal percentage), 31 MPG (minutes per game). He only played in 80 games (the NBA plays 82 games in a season) three times in his 12-year career. We're talking about a role player here.
The above stats are career highs — not his average. So it's safe to say that Collins' claim to fame for his NBA career is the fact he's forever the first-ever male gay professional in sports.
Everyone from Kobe Bryant to David Stern to President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle to president Bill Clinton to Nike all have thrown unwavering support in Collins' direction.
Dateline: April 29, 2013.
ESPN basketball analyst/columnist, Chris Broussard, was invited on his network's sports journalism show, Outside the Lines. Broussard was asked about his own personal feelings toward Jason Collins' announcement and he was unapologetically blunt.
"Personally, I don't believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly, like premarital sex between heterosexuals. If you're openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits. It says that, you know, that's a sin. If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality — adultery, fornication, pre-marital sex between heterosexuals — whatever it maybe, I believe that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ. So I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don't think the bible would characterize them as a Christian."
Now, here's a reporter who says what he believes, and is considered short-sighted. Apparently, this man was asked his opinion and offered it. He didn't volunteer the information. He spoke from the heart. As a Christian, Broussard did exactly what you're supposed to do — represent the Word of God to the people no matter what. Because it is such a worldly unpopular opinion, then it makes Broussard (and those who believe the exact same as he does) bigots, blind and intolerant people.
If that's the case, then there are many, "bigoted, blind and intolerant people" in this world — because there are many people who do not have, nor see, a problem with what Chris Broussard said — and I'm proudly one of them. Broussard's statements are clearly supported by Biblical text. In the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:22), God spoke directly to Moses and said, "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." Many argue and say, "The Old Testament was eradicated when Jesus died on the cross." OK. In the New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), Paul wrote in his letter to the people in Corinth:
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
Now — does it say, anywhere that homosexuals are to be hated? Does it say anywhere that homosexuals are not people? Does it say that homosexuals are sub-human? Does it even say anywhere that homosexuals aren't allowed the same grace that heterosexuals receive? Does it even say that homosexuals are not allowed the same civil rights as that of heterosexuals? The answer to all of those questions is, "No." It doesn't even say those things in the Bible. Even Broussard said that it was courageous for Collins to publicly admit he's gay. However, it's something not to truly celebrate. It is truly food for thought.
To those who say that you can be Christian and a homosexual? In a sense, you can be. However, here's your end game: If the Holy Spirit works within you, seek God's face, turn from your wicked ways, then He will hear you, and heal your land. Then you will be converted to a heterosexual when it's all said and done. That's just pure, unadulterated truth.
One man professes his homosexuality and is lauded. Another man places the standard of Jesus Christ against the homosexuality admittance and is the villain. If that makes me the villain in the world to stand with God in this issue? Then, a villain to the world I am. The glory of God means much more to me than the favor of the world. Apparently, Chris Broussard believes the same thing, as well. Glory be to God for Mr. Chris Broussard!
