I can’t remember the last time I watched an NBA game.
Which means that, yesterday was the first time I became familiar with name Jason Collins. Shortly after he made the announcement that he was gay, I saw his name for the first time show up on Facebook. I’m happy for Jason. I admire his bravery. And I hope all the best for him in the future.
That said, how sad is it that an announcement like “I’m gay” still requires bravery and courage to proclaim in certain cultural circles? That it becomes breaking news? That a man, well-known for his athleticism and talent, becomes a trending topic on Twitter because of his sexuality? Sure, I can see why it happened. And yes, I certainly understand how some of the attention is good. But it’s still surprising that “coming out”–even for an NBA player–can spark so much interest, debate, propaganda, and opinions.
As you may know, one man’s opinion about Jason’s announcement is causing a storm of controversy. Chris Broussard (I didn’t know his name either until yesterday), an ESPN commentator, was asked to offer his opinion about the NBA player’s announcement. Which is exactly what Chris did… here’s a clip of what the sports commentator had to say.
Of course, here’s the part of Chris’s thoughts that everybody is talking about…
“I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is…. If you’re openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be … that’s walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ.”
I don’t agree with Chris. In fact, I wholeheartedly disagree with him. However, the perspectives he holds are popular beliefs among Christians in America. That hardly makes them right. Still, his views are popular.
Last night, after his words/opinion stirred up a host of controversy, Chris offered the following statement…
“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.”
Okay, so a Christian in the mainstream media offered his blatantly honest thoughts about homosexuality. A quick search on Twitter showcases a host of opinions and thoughts about ESPN, Chris, and Jason’s announcement.
Tweets about “chris broussard”
Because I’m a Christian who doesn’t hold the same opinions about “being gay” as Chris does, I’m often asked if I think words like what Chris said should be considered “hate”.
I stumble over the that question for two reasons: 1) Because “hate” is a strong word, one that gets used far too much and often without care or concern or context… And 2) Because I know and am friends with a host of people who share Chris’s opinions. And honestly, while we might disagree on the subject, it’s hard for me to categorize their opinions as “hate.” I understand fully why some people do (and I value those opinions), but I try never to use the word “hate” loosely.
That said, in my opinion, Chris Broussard was wrong for voicing his opinion. Yes, it’s his freedom to do so and he has every right to use that freedom, but still, I believe he was wrong. Here’s why…
1) First of all, Chris’s timing sucked. It sucked. And I guess I just have to wonder why, after being asked his thoughts regarding Jason’s announcement, that he felt the need to voice his Christian opposition to Jason’s story? Why? Rather than standing firm on his beliefs by making them very clear for the public to understand, why couldn’t he have just stood by Jason, the person? Wished him the best? Did he really have to publicize what it sounds like Jason already knew? It seems to me that Chris truly values Jason as a person/player, so why why why did he make his opinion about “his Christian viewpoint” instead of making it about love and respect for the person?
2) Is Chris now going to do this with other NBA players? I get that Chris thinks being gay is a sin, and yes, he was very quick to acknowledge that he thinks all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is sin, too, but does he wax biblical about other NBA players’ “sins”? Does he point out his biblical perspective when he learns of a player’s gambling habit, live-in girlfriend, drug use, drinking habits, gossiping, vain use of God’s name, etc. etc. etc…. Maybe he does do this. Again, I don’t watch ESPN. Even still, while he might voice once in a while his opposition to a player’s behavior, does he cast them in the same light as he did Jason, as people “walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ”? I doubt it. In fact, I highly doubt he’d have a job on ESPN if he made a habit of calling out the “unrepentant sins” of the NBA.
3) What’s more Christ-like, Chris offering a biblical case for why he believes Jason is wrong and ungodly OR using his influence to remind people that he believes Jason is a child of God and fully loved by his Creator? Even if he thinks there should be an asterisk with a statement like that, what’s more important? That Chris make a public statement against Jason or that Chris remind Jason of God’s love?
4) Does Chris watch the news? Is he aware that we’re living in a time when a whole bunch of teenagers are being bullied for being gay–sometimes bullied to the point of choosing suicide over living in fear? Does he know that? Did his comments showcase that he knew that? Because if he did know that, why on earth did he feel it was his Christian responsibility to stand up for his beliefs? A friend of mine wrote on Twitter that he was “thankful that Chris stood up for truth! Proud of him for standing up for his beliefs”. Is that what this is about? The truth? What about the truth that gay and lesbian teenagers are five times as likely to commit suicide than straight teenagers? Any chance we can throw some Christian love/grace/kindness and truth their way? The statistics might not change Chris’s perspectives about his truth, but they should change the way he (and all of us) express our truths.
5) Did any of us need Chris to say what he said yesterday? I know some people liked his “bravery” in saying it. But did we need him to say it? Sure, it was just his opinion (and yes, we do live in America! and he has every right to express his opinion). But did we need him to express his opinion? Did any of us really need to know what Chris’s opinion regarding homosexuality is, especially in the wake of the first NBA player announcing that he was gay? Did we need that? I mean, are any of us better for what Chris said? Because you know, I’m pretty certain that Chris’s biblical understanding of homosexuality is something that EVERYBODY already knows. I mean, it is a well known fact that a whole bunch of Christians think homosexuality is a sin, punishable by hell. That’s been pretty well publicized, I believe. And… it’s likely an idea that Jason considered for years prior to making his announcement. But did anybody hear Chris’s words and think, “My gosh, I want what he has!” I don’t know the answer to that question, but what I do know is that his words did offer a bunch of Christians a chance to rally behind the man who was brave enough to stand up for what he believes. And is that what yesterday was about? Offering a lot of Christians a chance to reinforce what they think about Jason’s decision…
I hope that Jason knows that God loves him. I hope he has a community of people surrounding him that will remind him of that. And I hope that Chris learns from this experience, too. I love that he feels called to express his love and commitment to God, but I hope he knows that showcasing that love doesn’t require him to promote his thoughts about homosexuality on national TV, but it does ask him to showcase his love for God by revealing his love for people.
After hearing that interview on ESPN, what are the chances that Jason felt loved by God or by Chris? Did he feel LOVED?
Sure, maybe he didn’t feel hated.
But did he feel loved?
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