Increasingly, especially in movies and on TV, there are well-written and good gay characters and story lines. Think of shows like Glee, Modern Family, etc.
One of the things that strikes me is that I know a lot of traditionalist Christians who like these shows and like these characters and story lines.
They find the gays funny, endearing, whatever.
The irony, of course, is that most of these characters would never be allowed to belong to the churches these folks go to. Kurt, an out gay high school student on Glee, would be told that his longing to have a relationship is sinful and evil and that he could only become a member of the church if he changed or suppressed his sexuality. My guess is that Kurt would know better than to even try to come to your average church — a definite loss for the worship team.
Worse, gay couple Cameron & Mitchell (and their adopted daughter Lily), would be instant outcasts at most churches because they would represent the “secret gay agenda” to “make normal the gay lifestyle” and “undermine the institution of marriage and the foundations of our society”.
Luckily for most Christians, these folks in real life would never go to your church because they already know what you think of them, so most of these awkward issues can be avoided — it is just those of us closeted in the pews (or pulpit) that cause real problems.
I am not sure if I am offended at the folks who find these gays funny and endearing but condemn gays in real life, or if I think that, at least, this is a step in the right direction. Maybe pop culture can lead us to where Jesus has always wanted us to be — simply loving our neighbors as ourselves, without judgement or condemnation.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
BEN DUBOW 
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