It's simple: World Vision caved to Christian bigotry today. Yesterday the relief aid agency announced they would no long discriminate against gays and lesbians in employment. After a firestorm of criticism - fostered by men such as Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention - they reversed their decision. It's a tragedy.
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ has said:
The message of the Gospel is the lens through which the whole of scripture is to be interpreted. Love and compassion, justice and peace are at the very core of the life and ministry of Jesus. It is a message that always bends toward inclusion. The biblical story recounts the ways in which inclusion and welcome to God's community is ever expanding -- from the story of Abraham and Sarah, to the inclusive ministry of Jesus, to the baptism of Cornelius, to the missionary journeys of Paul throughout the Greco- Roman world. The liberating work of the Spirit as witnessed in the activities of Jesus' ministry has been to address the situations and structures of exclusion, injustice and oppression that diminish God's people and keep them from realizing the full gift of human personhood in the context of human communion.
More and more Christian denominations and affiliated faith-based organizations are coming to understand that discrimination can no longer be embraced in the name of Jesus - whose ministry broke down walls.
One day we can hope that World Vision gets on the right side of the Gospel. Sadly, it will not be today.
Update: Some are advocating a boycott of World Vision. I'm not. But I do hope people of faith consider making a donation to Global Ministries' Child Sponsorship Program. Global Ministries is a joint program of the United Church of Christ & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and supports LGBT rights.
