Question of the Week: McChance's Comments and Compassion

Question of the Week: “How does one live this “compassion” message toward that idiot McChance who his talk about gay suicides being a good thing?”—Rory


RESPONSE:

“Good question. That is a tough one, indeed. There are certainly times when compassion is a most difficult undertaking. I think about McChance’s words, or the comments made by the Hawaiian Governor (Lingle), or the Iowa Congressman, Steve King, and it’s disturbing. If words were weapons these people would certainly have blood on their hands. It’s especially alarming that these horrific attitudes hail from people in leadership positions. Unfortunately, their display often works hard to showcase their own ignorance to the great detriment of the constituents they should be protecting.

As for living compassionately toward these people, they make compassion a tough response. It’s certainly understandable that someone who feels attacked by these words would want to lash back out of anger and frustration. After all, all gay people really want is to be treated with the dignity and respect that anyone naturally deserves. Gay people are not harming anyone at all by pursuing relationships that are felt to be best suited for them. To have such malicious words pointed toward a group that is simply trying to live life, is understandably disheartening.

With that said, how does one live a compassion-driven message toward people of that mentality?

I think the first step is removing ego from the equation so as to approach the situation with as clear of a mindset as is possible. Second, it’s important to realize the motivation behind the behavior. Knowing a ‘why’ behind a ‘what’ is vital to understanding even the most heinous actions. In Mr. McChance’s case, he’s probably the product of a bigoted ignorance that has been handed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, such ignorance is a common part of the human condition and has always plagued mankind. Such knowledge truly discredits the source.

Listening to his rants is like listening to a six-year old’s temper tantrum when he’s refused the keys to the family car. A child may see his parents drive and think that he’s more than capable, but he clearly is not. Mr. McChance may have read a few verses while witnessing and embracing a ton of bigotry in his life, but he’s certainly not capable of deciding who God will love.

Actually, he’s worked hard to discredit himself, so let him. He’s done a great job. The bigoted attitudes that he promoted put such ignorance and stupidity in the nation’s spotlight. Keep in mind, I’m not saying that his views should be swept under the rug. They should be decisively denounced at every turn. What I am saying is, that it’s easy to look at that child with a pitiable compassion while he’s throwing a temper tantrum over wanting something that is outrageously beyond him. The same is true with McChance. Don’t give him the keys. Just feel sorry for him. Pity his kids for having a dad who will instill hatred and only love them under a pre-defined list of conditions. It truly is sad.

So, yeah—it’s challenging to look at McChance and others with compassion. Hopefully, he will eventually learn about the true nature of God revealed through Jesus and many other spiritual leaders. Instead of a bigoted heart and a legalistic religious perspective, he, himself may find great fruits in a compassionate mindset.

Thanks for the question, Rory.
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