Certain Unalienable Rights

I saw a meme on FB this morning that made me think. It’s one of those topics that calls for an emotional response right out of the box and the marketing behind the meme is built just to elicit baser motivation. In other words, it teaches us how we really feel about an issue.

The meme is a picture of a bakery with the words, “Gay couple drives 120 miles, past 67 secular owned bakeries and 6 bakeries owned by Muslims to the one Christian owned bakery, and armed with a lawsuit and several news crews, demands a gay cake…because nothing says my beliefs are being violated like going out of your way to violate other people’s beliefs” (sic) and it carries the hashtag #democratsaremonsters.

Wow. Where do I start?

Let’s start with one good, solid scripture. Then we can argue about the details.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Here in the US we like to add a tenth fruit – right – as in “my rights, your rights, inalienable rights.” But while these United States was firmly established on Christian principles, God doesn’t recognize your “right” to anything except free will. So let’s set aside the shop owners’ “rights” for just a second and focus on God’s teaching. After all, this blog is about God’s provision within hate’s division – and if any topic divides through hate it’s gay rights.

First is love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:4-5, NIV) Nope – nothing about rights there. Let’s keep going.

Joy is the second fruit. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psa 30:5, ESV) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3, NIV) Ok, according to Christian principles “joy” doesn’t seem to address rights either. Let’s keep looking.

I’m going to skip “peace” as I see that one going badly for our argument supporting rights.

Forbearance – what the heck is forbearance? According to Dictionary.com, forbearance is patient self-control; restraint and tolerance. Oh nuts – there’s that “T” word. Ok, Bible help me out here. What about Romans, “because in the forbearance of God He passed over sins previously committed” (Rom 3:25)? No. Maybe Ephesians has something, “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,” (Eph 4:2). No, not there either. Just another “tolerance” teaching. Ok, Matthew has to have something. “You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matt 5:38-41) …Hmmph.

Work with me, God. I’m trying to defend the Christian shop owners’ right to refuse service to gays, and I know you disagree with homosexuality. (Heb 13:4, Rom 1:27) So give me something. Maybe in “faithfulness.” Surely if I’m faithful to God I don’t have to serve anyone living against His precepts. “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:19)

This isn’t working. Ok, let’s go straight to the heart of the matter. We’re talking about our rights not to be infringed, so…

“’I have the right to do anything,’ you say – but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’ – but not everything is constructive.” (1 Cor 10:23, NIV)

I give up. Apparently God doesn’t want me to exercise my rights over another because doing so is contrary to His definition of love. But in my stubborn ways I have to ask, what if the whole thing is designed to bring me harm or to discredit me – as the setup in this meme clearly was arranged to do? Surely God doesn't expect me to take it lying down.

Hmm. Let me ask Job…