Rejecting the Sodomite Rainbow

Evangelicals were thrilled when several Tampa Bay baseball players refused to wear the 'rainbow' patches on their uniform for some kind of Sodomite pride day – something their team wishes to promote. As Sodomy is all the rage we are subjected to rainbow-washing in all sectors of society. Not saying something is to say something and so many companies and institutions that probably don't care all that much about the issue are keen to make a statement even if it's just a token one.

I for one am glad these players refused to go along with the filth-flood that has inundated Western society – at least in this one area. The fact that they're playing in major league sports – well, that's not exactly the most ethical (let alone Christian) world to begin with. And frankly, I have never thought much of Christian pro-athletes. I don't get excited when they get media attention. If anything their presence and (to be blunt) schizophrenic actions and ethics just send a confused message. Fame and fortune doesn't go with New Testament Christianity and so their testimonies are already highly compromised and confused.

But to be charitable – again I can be glad for this stand and specifically the fact that one of them referred to Sodomy as a 'lifestyle' which has generated some rage as it assumes such behaviour is the result of a choice – which is exactly what it is. At this point in time many 'conservative' Church leaders aren't even clear on this point and have instead become convinced that people are 'born that way'. Born sinners? Yes. Born with an indelible character-identity rooted in sodomitical desires and ethics? No. Paul says that it can change and therefore it is not essential.

It's complicated of course and perhaps merely calling it a 'choice' is an oversimplification but a gospel that cannot change someone's sin orientation is not the gospel of the New Testament.

I was also pleased with the overall wording. Everyone is welcome to play but they don't want to 'encourage' such behaviour. That's a sound statement and can't be accused of bigotry though that's how many will take it.

It's one thing to make a stand against the LMNOP-movement in the public square. Laudable to be sure, but I wish these Christian athletes would apply the full spectrum of Christian ethics.

As mentioned, we are barraged and assaulted with the propaganda of the Sodomite acceptance and celebration campaign. You must embrace them. And they're not alone. There are other groups in society that push a similar line and yet there's one that leaves the Sodomites in the dust, a movement that is even more pervasive and dominant in society – virtually inescapable, and one that virtually the entire political spectrum and the majority of society embraces. And yet it's deeply anti-Christian and one that all of us should be resisting with equal fervour.

I am of course referring to the military-veteran-nationalist identity complex. It's identity politics on steroids. The gays fly their flags in front of their houses, don their bumper stickers and increasingly wear their garb. But they're nothing when compared to the veterans and the 'Support the Troops' movement. How many parents drive around with a 'Proud mother of a lesbian' or 'Proud father of a cross-dresser' sticker on their car?

They are in your face and ubiquitous. You must celebrate them. They want you to acknowledge them and bow to and rejoice in the deeds – which from a Christian standpoint are sin. They're murderers and indirect murderers, part of a great criminal deceit. We shouldn't stand for the flag, thank them for their 'service' (whatever that empty phrase means), or show any respect to them while they glory in their shame. I'll gladly give a homeless guy some money but when he starts pulling out the veteran rubbish – I walk away. If you want to claim that legacy, let them feed you.

And as readers will know I bear that shame as I once wore the filthy rag – the uniform of the American forces and I too have blood on my hands. But God saved me from all of that and I turned my back on it and embraced the ethics of the New Testament. I can sympathize all day long with people who are repentant but I won't comfort them in their sin and their attempt to rationalise what they were a part of.

I would like to see some professional sports players take that line. This is far more extreme than simply 'taking a knee' – which is also absurd as these millionaire and would-be millionaire players have already capitulated to the system and are 'cashing in' on it.

By the way, I won't stand for the anthem either. I don't take a knee but I'm not going to engage in what is effectively an act of devotion – a hymn to the American gods. I will not say the blasphemous deceitful pledge of allegiance either. I would like to see some Christians make this kind of public stand. I usually try to avoid such venues. We got caught a few years back at my niece's graduation. We were called upon to stand for the school song – a lame but harmless gesture. But then it morphed into a medley and suddenly the anthem was playing and everyone turned to the flag on the gymnasium wall. We sat down.

Well, such an open stand by public sports figures won't happen because society won't have it. They'd be gone, off the team as the profit-motivated owners would tremble at the thought of a boycott and lost sales. In fact, players making a stand like that will have never made it that far to begin with. I've always said the same about politics. The people who run for high office sold out long ago. The people with integrity aren't going to get past the local level. I had the discussion not long ago with a friend. Even serving on a local water board he's facing dilemmas. Welcome to the world.

I'm glad the baseball players didn't wear the rainbow patch and hat but in the grand scheme of things – so what? There's no great ethical stand here to celebrate. At best it's a drop in the bucket.