Joe Carter & Randy Thomas on Blogging the Hard Topics

Yesterday Joe Carter over at Evangelical Outpost blogged about his impressions of the Washington Briefing, and what was interesting about Joe’s commentary is that he realized that right wing bloggers seem to be “out of touch” with conservatives in America. The gist of his post was explaining that popular conservative and Christian bloggers avoid the subjects that matter most to real conservatives. Namely, family, life issue, marriage and taxes.

I giggled as I read his post because I’ve known this for a long time. Many of the popular Christian bloggers aren’t really interested in talking about the homosexual agenda or even the legislation that is coming against our families. And for some bloggers all they want to do is get linked to the top dogs in the blogosphere so that they will be noticed. I even mentioned last year at the second annual GodBlogCon that Christians can make more of an impact in the blogworld, if they would just leave their “EGO’S” behind.

The problem though is that NZ Bear made the “ECO”system a fun thing that egomaniacs (which most bloggers are) just HAVE to be apart of. Admittedly, it was a brilliant idea, but sadly, the blogosphere game often distracts from a real ministry that we can have.

And of course, what I said last year at the GodBlogCon fell pretty much on deaf ears. Despite the fact that I run a blog on Christian persecution that receives between 600-700 visitors a day on average.

With that said, I was very interested in Randy Thomas’ response to what he called “wise analysis” by Joe Carter concerning why Christian bloggers don’t hit issues like homosexuality very often. While I would disagree with Randy on his view of Joe offering a “wise analysis”, because it just seems like he’s kissing up to Joe (just my opinion), I do feel his frustration when he talks about how few top bloggers fail to address issues of sexuality on their blogs.

I think there are few reasons for this. First, I think that many conservatives and even some Christians, don’t see homosexuality as a sin or as a threat to marriage, family or society. The reason they don’t see it is because they haven’t taken the time – or had the need – to follow the militant homosexual agenda.

The second reason I think bloggers shy away from the debate is because they do not want to be vilified, have their lives or careers threatened , or be a victim of character assassination. Randy and his boss Alan Chambers understand this because they are on the end of that type of harassment daily. I also understand it because I have also been threatened.

The third reason I think bloggers fail to address this issue is because it takes time to learn the arguments and policy around this sin. It’s amazing because homosexuality is just that – a sin – and yet the forces that promote this sin, have made it a lifestyle, a policy issue, a “cause” or a “right”. It’s ridiculous.

And the last reason, among many other reasons I could list, is that I think that people allow fear to control their lives. Rather than stand for principle and truth, they run and hide behind causes that do not cost them anything.

I think Randy Thomas and Alan Chambers do good work. They have a hard calling and aren’t always appreciated for what they do stand for. I also think it’s easier for them because they have been impacted personally by the issue, and often people who have not been touched by the issue don’t know how to respond.

And as a result, I think that this is a anemic issue in the blogosphere. And while I would agree that not all bloggers should address this issue, I would say that those who can because they understand what’s at stake – should.

I lost a half brother to AIDS who was gay. I also know how the public policy is ruining families. I see it impacting children every week and I see most of the Church, including many pastors, asleep concerning the issue. It’s time to wake up and take a stand.

So to Randy and the others who take time to address these issues on your blogs – Kudos. To those like Joe and others who don’t focus on it as much – you have a chance to lead others where it’s uncomfortable. I pray you do.