I'm Sorry

**Jiro** · 04-17-2012, 11:53 PM

Christian Group Shows Up To Chicago Gay Pride Holding Apologetic Signs | Practikel

Quote:

This is an amazing photo that captured the moment a gay man hugged a member of a Christian group, that came to Gay Pride to apologize for the way the church has treated homosexuals. It’s nice to see people of faith have common sense enough to know that hate and prejudice is wrong. A step in the right direction towards equality and something everyone should learn from. THIS is the kind of compassion that religion teaches, but far too often doesn’t follow. Well done.

Since seeing this photo, a friend of mine had introduced me to more of the story. A man, by the name of Nathan, is the one you see above hugging the gay guy in his underwear, or Tristan rather. Well, Nathan wrote a blog about this day and this moment and what his and his fellow church-goers had done. Here is what he had to say:

I hugged a man in his underwear. I think Jesus would have too.

I spent the day at Chicago’s Pride Parade. Some friends and I, with The Marin Foundation, wore shirts with “I’m Sorry” written on it. We had signs that said, “I’m sorry that Christians judge you,” “I’m sorry the way churches have treated you,” “I used to be a bible-banging homophobe, sorry.” We wanted to be an alternative Christian voice from the protestors that were there speaking hate into megaphones.

What I loved most about the day is when people “got it.” I loved watching people’s faces as they saw our shirts, read the signs, and looked back at us. Responses were incredible. Some people blew us kisses, some hugged us, some screamed thank you. A couple ladies walked up and said we were the best thing they had seen all day. I wish I had counted how many people hugged me. One guy in particular softly said, “Well, I forgive you.”

Watching people recognize our apology brought me to tears many times. It was reconciliation personified.

My favorite though was a gentleman who was dancing on a float. He was dressed solely in white underwear and had a pack of abs like no one else. As he was dancing on the float, he noticed us and jokingly yelled, “What are you sorry for? It’s pride!” I pointed to our signs and watched him read them.

Then it clicked.

Then he got it.

He stopped dancing. He looked at all of us standing there. A look of utter seriousness came across his face. And as the float passed us he jumped off of it and ran towards us. In all his sweaty beautiful abs of steal, he hugged me and whispered, “thank you.”

Before I had even let go, another guy ran up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and gave me the biggest bear hug ever. I almost had the wind knocked out of me; it was one of those hugs.

This is why I do what I do. This is why I will continue to do what I do. Reconciliation was personified.

I think a lot of people would stop at the whole “man in his underwear dancing” part. That seems to be the most controversial. It’s what makes the evening news. It’s the stereotype most people have in their minds about Pride.

Sadly, most Christians want to run from such a sight rather than engage it. Most Christian won’t even learn if that person dancing in his underwear has a name. Well, he does. His name is Tristan.

However, I think Jesus would have hugged him too. It’s exactly what I read throughout scripture: Jesus hanging out with people that religious people would flee from. Correlation between then and now? I think so.

Acceptance is one thing. Reconciliation is another. Sure at Pride, everyone is accepted (except perhaps the protestors). There are churches that say they accept all. There are business that say the accept everyone. But acceptance isn’t enough. Reconciliation is.

But there isn’t always reconciliation. And when there isn’t reconciliation, there isn’t full acceptance. Reconciliation is more painful; it’s more difficult. Reconciliation forces one to remember the wrongs committed and relive constant pain. Yet it’s more powerful and transformational because two parties that should not be together and have every right to hate one another come together for the good of one another, for forgiveness, reconciliation, unity.

What I saw and experienced at Pride 2010 was the beginning of reconciliation. It was in the shocked faces of gay men and women who did not ever think Christians would apologize to them.

What I saw and experienced at Pride 2010 was the personification of reconciliation. It was in the hugs and kisses I received, in the “thank you’s” and waves, in the smiles and kisses blown.

I hugged a man in his underwear. I hugged him tightly. And I am proud.

THIS is truly heart-warming. I am crying as I write this because I am proud of this man and his willingness to share what he believes, despite the criticism he may receive. After this, even more came together to keep this story going. Someone had recognized Tristan from the photo, and Tristan got in touch with Nathan. These two shared how this moment meant so much for each of them, and that is what’s remarkable. One person meets another, and for each of them, this was a lasting experience and memory.

wonderful!

deafbirk · 04-18-2012, 02:59 AM

Is good.but I would still much rather hug a woman in her underwear.

**Jiro** · 04-18-2012, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deafbirk

Is good.but I would still much rather hug a woman in her underwear.

airportcop · 04-18-2012, 07:27 AM

Jiro,

I believe you are correct. Jesus would hug a gay man in his underwear! Shocking as this might seem reconciliation is good. We don't have to agree about everything but sharing God's love for one another is very important indeed! I know for me personally it would have been difficult. But as I read this story something began to change inside of me realizing that yes indeed Jesus did come and die for everyone. That is something that I already knew but don't always do the best job of practicing at times. Caring and loving people is what it is all about! What Would Jesus Do? He would, did and does love unconditionally. Thanks for sharing this positve story Jiro.

airportcop · 04-19-2012, 10:02 PM

Wow, I can't believe that no one else is participating in this thread?! Must be that the other political and racism threads are dominating. Or someone is scared of the possible religious discussion?! Sad!

**Jiro** · 04-19-2012, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

Wow, I can't believe that no one is participating in this thread?! Must be the other political and racism threads are dominating. Sad!

true

**Foxrac** · 04-19-2012, 10:17 PM

It is good to hear, however religious people are free to approve or disapprove of homosexuality but if they choose to disapprove so they should keep their word to themselves instead of influence on people, including me, also they shouldn't interfere with government because government has no business to discriminate against others.

There are some gay teenagers took their own life after bullied at school and need to be stopped. I'm outraged at TN that allow religious people to bully at gay people, however they will have deal with federal hate crime.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1183915.html

Glenn · 04-19-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

Wow, I can't believe that no one else is participating in this thread?! Must be that the other political and racism threads are dominating. Or someone is scared of the possible religious discussion?! Sad!

Why should I participate in any thread if I don't want to?

Am I obligated to participate in every current events thread? Sometimes so many ADers post on them that they are impossible to keep up with unless I spend hours on them. I simply have other things that interest me more.

Yay for churches realizing what they were doing was wrong.

**Bottesini** · 04-19-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

Wow, I can't believe that no one else is participating in this thread?! Must be that the other political and racism threads are dominating. Or someone is scared of the possible religious discussion?! Sad!

It shouldn't be newsworthy if people decide to behave decently.

That is one of the tenets of their Christian religion to begin with.

airportcop · 04-20-2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

Why should I participate in any thread if I don't want to?

Am I obligated to participate in every current events thread? Sometimes so many ADers post on them that they are impossible to keep up with unless I spend hours on them. I simply have other things that interest me more.

Yay for churches realizing what they were doing was wrong.

Glenn, I wasn't putting anyone down for not participating in this thread. I was simply making an observation on what people find important and interesting.

airportcop · 04-20-2012, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

It shouldn't be newsworthy if people decide to behave decently.That is one of the tenets of their Christian religion to begin with.

Why not? It sure beats the heck out of the negative things being posted and reported on. I'm personally sick & tired of all the negatives in our society. Why not concentrate a little more on the positive side?! Have a great day all!

airportcop · 04-20-2012, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

It is good to hear, however religious people are free to approve or disapprove of homosexuality but if they choose to disapprove so they should keep their word to themselves instead of influence on people, including me, also they shouldn't interfere with government because government has no business to discriminate against others.There are some gay teenagers took their own life after bullied at school and need to be stopped. I'm outraged at TN that allow religious people to bully at gay people, however they will have deal with federal hate crime.
Tennessee Anti-Bullying Law Change Could Allow Students To Speak Out Against Gays For Religious Reasons: Report

But Foxrac, that is our basic rights as humans and we were all made differently. I agree that we should not be bashing and bullying anyone but the basic right to speak your opinion and have a voice is something that we all have the right to do. It is protected by the Constitution. If one side can protest peacefully why shouldn't the other side be allowed to do the same?

**Jiro** · 04-20-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

Why not? It sure beats the heck out of the negative things being posted and reported on. I'm personally sick & tired of all the negatives in our society. Why not concentrate a little more on the positive side?! Have a great day all!

I agree!

rolling7 · 04-20-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bottesini

It shouldn't be newsworthy if people decide to behave decently.

That is one of the tenets of their Christian religion to begin with.

Is not it one of the tenets of Christian religion to: Love the sinner, hate the sin?
That is what the man is doing.

rolling7 · 04-20-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

But Foxrac, that is our basic rights as humans and we were all made differently. I agree that we should not be bashing and bullying anyone but the basic right to speak your opinion and have a voice is something that we all have the right to do. It is protected by the Constitution. If one side can protest peacefully why shouldn't the other side be allowed to do the same?

That is correct because if one side would be required to "keep their words to themselves" the other side would also be required to do so. However, I do agree that asl forms of communication must be done respectfully (it would be great if this happen 100% of the time).

rockin'robin · 04-20-2012, 12:47 PM

Well, whoopie-do!...So the guy has to prance around in his underwear to get "I'm Sorry"?.....Believe this was more of a joke to make people laugh....at the guy in the underwear....and the people most definately are....laughing at the guy in the underwear.....

Wondering if the people would laugh harder if I...an elderly deaf lady....stripped down to my underwear....to protest the attitudes of the hearing towards the deaf?.....Rights of A-sexual people?....or just for the hell of it...stripping down to my underwear to get some laughs?....

Would I be arrested for indecent exposure?....Don't believe the guy in the underwear was!...Why is that the guy has to prance around half-naked to get a "I'm Sorry"...??...Beats me!

Will I get a negative feedback from posting this?...More than likely!

**Foxrac** · 04-20-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airportcop

But Foxrac, that is our basic rights as humans and we were all made differently. I agree that we should not be bashing and bullying anyone but the basic right to speak your opinion and have a voice is something that we all have the right to do. It is protected by the Constitution. If one side can protest peacefully why shouldn't the other side be allowed to do the same?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolling7

That is correct because if one side would be required to "keep their words to themselves" the other side would also be required to do so. However, I do agree that asl forms of communication must be done respectfully (it would be great if this happen 100% of the time).

Is it okay for anti-gay rights to take control of my life?

My answer is NO!

rolling7 · 04-20-2012, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

Is it okay for anti-gay rights to take control of my life?

My answer is NO!

And that would be the correct answer, however, you must respectfully give the right to disagree to others whom might not see the issue the same way you do. As long as they are not trying to control your life, they do have a right to speak, respectfully, their opinion of why they disagree.

DeafTim · 04-20-2012, 05:59 PM

cool article....ppl like to treat gay ppl bad is so wrong in my eyes..I know gay ppl were born gay and jesus created gay ppl.I'd rather hang out with a gay person not a bigot.

**Foxrac** · 04-20-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolling7

And that would be the correct answer, however, you must respectfully give the right to disagree to others whom might not see the issue the same way you do. As long as they are not trying to control your life, they do have a right to speak, respectfully, their opinion of why they disagree.

There are anti-gay rights laws in US, especially in southern states and midwestern states, even federal too because they won't recongize any marriage. DOMA is still in place and GLBT people can still discriminated at job in many states. I want anyone who disapprove GLBT rights to get out of government's hand becsuse they have no place to discriminate or take control of us. I'm not going be rested until homosexual people have same equality as heterosexual people.

JoeyDeafNinja · 04-20-2012, 07:59 PM

I have no words for the group of people who were sorry and starting to accept homesexual. Amen. That's the way Chirstian should be. Accept the people for who they are. Show the love.

rolling7 · 04-21-2012, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyDeafNinja

I have no words for the group of people who were sorry and starting to accept homesexual. Amen. That's the way Chirstian should be. Accept the people for who they are. Show the love.

Yes, in order to be a true Christian a person must love all God's creatures.
However, that person is also required to hate all actions that God has declared sin. I feel certain that you would recall the situation of Christ and the woman caught in adultery, Christ told her: Go and sin no more. Which means that Christ forgave her, loves her but requires her to never do this sinful act again. True Christians are required to do the same.

04-18-2012, 02:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
deafbirk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 614	Is good.but I would still much rather hug a woman in her underwear. airportcop likes this.

04-18-2012, 07:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
airportcop Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,088	Jiro, I believe you are correct. Jesus would hug a gay man in his underwear! Shocking as this might seem reconciliation is good. We don't have to agree about everything but sharing God's love for one another is very important indeed! I know for me personally it would have been difficult. But as I read this story something began to change inside of me realizing that yes indeed Jesus did come and die for everyone. That is something that I already knew but don't always do the best job of practicing at times. Caring and loving people is what it is all about! What Would Jesus Do? He would, did and does love unconditionally. Thanks for sharing this positve story Jiro. __________________ Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

04-19-2012, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
airportcop Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 1,088	Wow, I can't believe that no one else is participating in this thread?! Must be that the other political and racism threads are dominating. Or someone is scared of the possible religious discussion?! Sad! __________________ Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Last edited by airportcop; 04-19-2012 at 10:03 PM. Reason: +

04-19-2012, 10:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
Foxrac Need Stormtroopers? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Zaphias Posts: 32,403	It is good to hear, however religious people are free to approve or disapprove of homosexuality but if they choose to disapprove so they should keep their word to themselves instead of influence on people, including me, also they shouldn't interfere with government because government has no business to discriminate against others. There are some gay teenagers took their own life after bullied at school and need to be stopped. I'm outraged at TN that allow religious people to bully at gay people, however they will have deal with federal hate crime. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1183915.html __________________ In Moto We Trust

04-20-2012, 12:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,271	Well, whoopie-do!...So the guy has to prance around in his underwear to get "I'm Sorry"?.....Believe this was more of a joke to make people laugh....at the guy in the underwear....and the people most definately are....laughing at the guy in the underwear..... Wondering if the people would laugh harder if I...an elderly deaf lady....stripped down to my underwear....to protest the attitudes of the hearing towards the deaf?.....Rights of A-sexual people?....or just for the hell of it...stripping down to my underwear to get some laughs?.... Would I be arrested for indecent exposure?....Don't believe the guy in the underwear was!...Why is that the guy has to prance around half-naked to get a "I'm Sorry"...??...Beats me! Will I get a negative feedback from posting this?...More than likely! airportcop likes this.

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04-20-2012, 05:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
DeafTim Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utica,OH Posts: 2,327	cool article....ppl like to treat gay ppl bad is so wrong in my eyes..I know gay ppl were born gay and jesus created gay ppl.I'd rather hang out with a gay person not a bigot. __________________ It might be,it could be...It is! A homerun! HOLY COW!! Harry Caray Mitt: I have 5 point plan President Obama: Mitt doesnt have 5 point plan, He has one point plan! (ZINGER) Mitt Romney is a scam!!

04-20-2012, 07:59 PM	#21 (permalink)
JoeyDeafNinja Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Travelers Rest, SC Posts: 1,268	I have no words for the group of people who were sorry and starting to accept homesexual. Amen. That's the way Chirstian should be. Accept the people for who they are. Show the love. Bebonang and airportcop like this. __________________ Strength and thrown off reason and reality Cut myself and screamed for their insanity Wake up to this nightmare that will never end Main attraction of this twisted master plan I will be your deadman With nothing but this blood on my hands Stuck in your wonderland I wanna make you bleed just like me So make me your deadman With only poisoning in my veins Stuck in your wonderland Stagnated by the passivity I'm gonna make you bleed like me

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