I wrote something else tonight. But just as I checked my email, I saw this story out of Tennessee.
It is about the owner of a hardware store. The guy’s name is Jeff Amyx, and he is the owner of a Grainger County hardware store in East Tennessee. In 2015, he was a little unhappy. Okay a lot unhappy.
There was a 2015 Supreme Court ruling making same-sex marriage legal. At the time, he posted a sign above his door. He wanted to ensure anybody walking through the doors of his store knew his beliefs. NO GAYS ALLOWED.
At some point the sign came down.
But now, he proudly hangs it again. This, after the recent ruling of the SCOTUS, where they judged in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
So it is.
Amyx, who is also a Baptist minister, said that LGBT people are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, so he wanted to show others that Christian people should also be brave enough to stand up for their beliefs.
So, there you have it. They need to be brave. Hmm.
See, the thing of it is, I am a human who believes in equality for all humans. That is what I believe. I don’t believe in hate, or exclusion. I believe that we humans are ALL equals.
If you are straight, I can’t imagine that you truly know how this feels. This discrimination. This persecution. Just like, if you are white, you can’t understand what it feels like to be black. Man. Woman. And on.
He goes on to say, “Christianity is under attack. This is a great win, don’t get me wrong, but this is not the end, this is just the beginning,” Amyx said. “Right now we’re seeing a ray of sunshine.”
A little ray of sunshine.
So. There it is. His happy glimmer on the world. He is carrying the light.
I guess we can side with this “Christian” Baptist Minister, OR we can walk in Christ’s example. The choice is ours.
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“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:10
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“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Jesus Christ, Matthew 7:12
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“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus Christ, Matthew 12:50
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“Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.”
― Lenny Bruce
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