 These words of love spoken between Ruth and Naomi are often used in wedding ceremonies."Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me."Ruth 1:16, 17
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Love the Sinner, Period
Although I really don't enjoy arguing, once in awhile I like to take
a walk on the 'riled' side. Fundamentalists often write to me quoting that
insipid platitude, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." First of all,
it doesn't come from the Bible, it's a quote from Saint Augustine (354-430
C.E.),
"Cum dilectione hominum
et
odio vitiorum."
"With love for mankind
and
hatred of sins."
and as far as I've seen it's only used to justify attacks on homosexuals.
And of course no one ever quotes St. Augustine's,
"Dilige et quod vis fac."
"Love and do what you
will."
After typing the phrase into a search engine I was pointed to "Don Hawley's
Place" and his essay on homosexuality, Homosexuality
- A Christian Perspective. I wrote to him asking about his choice of
quotes and subject matter and below is the record of our exchange. Mr. Hawley
gave his permission to publish our correspondence as long as I linked to
his site, which I have done.
The truth about his convictions concerning homosexuality don't come out
until the end, but 'methinks, the lady doth protest too much.' Weild that
sword, Mr. Hawley.
Subject: RE: Love the Sinner
Sent: 2/10/97
From: Poppy Dixon, pdix@postfun.com
To: Don Hawley
Dear Mr. Hawley,
I read your article on homosexuality and I have a few questions and would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
Whenever I hear the statement, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," it is in regards to homosexuality. It's as if that is the only, or predominant sin. In the verses that you mention adultery stands out as a sin on par with homosexuality.
It seems that adultery threatens the family and children more than homosexuality does. And adulterers DO recruit, it's necessary to practice their sin. More Christian men participate in adultery than do in homosexuality. Is this the reason that Christians attack homosexuality with a vociferousness that is NOT present in their attacks on adultery?
And finally, Christians quote St. Augustine's "Love the sinner..." as if it was holy scripture, which it is not. Christ told us to "Love one another and not judge each other." There is an alternative, "Love the sinner, period." Christ's teachings should not be subordinate to those of St. Augustine's.
There questions are respectfully asked. I've wondered about these things for a long while.
Sincerely,
Poppy Dixon
Subject: RE: Love the Sinner
Sent: 02/12/97
From: Don Hawley
To: Poppy Dixon, pdix@postfun.com
Poppy:
>Whenever I hear the statement, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," it is in regards to homosexuality. It's as if that is the only, or predominant sin. In the verses that you mention adultery stands out as a sin on par with homosexuality.
I was dealing with homosexuality, so that was the context. However, I feel this attitude would apply to any sin.
>It seems that adultery threatens the family and children more than homosexuality does. And adulterers DO recruit, it's necessary to practice their sin.
All true. It is not an either or, but both.
>More Christian men participate in adultery than they do in homosexuality. Is this the reason that Christians attack homosexuality with a vociferousness that is NOT present in their attacks on adultery?
I don't think so. The strong feelings against homosexuality are the response toward something that to the non-homosexual seems extremely gross. I think the average person has a properly built-in aversion of homosexual activity - or say to incest. When these are over ridden, it is perverse.
>And finally, Christians quote St. Augustine's "Love the sinner..." as if it was holy scripture, which it is not. Christ told us to "Love one another and not judge each other." There is an alternative, "Love the sinner, period." Christ's teachings should not be subordinate to those of St. Augustine's.
I did not feel I was taking my cue from St. Augustine, but from Scripture. I get that sense very clearly from the Bible, even though I might not be quoting an actual text. I think that attendance at a movie showing heavy gratuitous violence is an improper activity for me, although I haven't found any text that uses the word "movie."
Thanks for the note.
God Bless!
Don
Subject: RE: Love the Sinner
Sent: 2/16/97
From: Poppy Dixon, upshot@postfun.com
To: Don Hawley
Dear Mr. Hawley,
If you don't mind I have a few more questions.
>I was dealing with homosexuality, so that was the context. However, I feel this attitude would apply to any sin.
Could you give me the URL of your essay against adultery? If you haven't written one, why did you choose homosexuality over adultery as the sin to focus on?
>I don't think so. The strong feelings against homosexuality are the response toward something that to the non-homosexual seems extremely gross. I think the average person has a properly built-in aversion of homosexual activity-or say to incest. When these are over ridden, it is perverse.
As a wife and mother the thought of my husband having sex with another woman is extremely repulsive to me. If this happened it would be impossible to let him touch me again. It would destroy our family. I would be a single mother with small children and my husband would be free to satisfy his lust as he pleased, perhaps with a younger woman. This concerns me as it happens SO much in our country. More than 40% of men have affairs, numbers vary but I've heard only 1-10% of men are homosexual. And the Christian divorce rate is higher than that of non-believers at 34% vs. 23%! I think this is a much more immediate concern for Christians. It's not either/or but we should think about the beams in our own eyes. Plus I've never really spent any time thinking about what 2 women or 2 men do together, the Bible says to think on things which are beautiful and edifying.
>I did not feel I was taking my cue from St. Augustine, but from Scripture. I get that sense very clearly from the Bible, even though I might not be quoting an actual text. I think that attendance at a movie showing heavy gratuitous violence is an improper activity for me, although I haven't found any text that uses the word "movie."
I can't agree with you about appending St. Augustine's words to the Bible. God has very strong injunctions against adding to scripture. Jesus said "Love one another" period. He made no distinctions between sinners and non-sinners and added no words about behavior except to "judge not." And I may be confused, but when you use the words "an improper activity for me" it sound as if sin is a relative thing? If this is so how can I know which sins to hate?
Thanks for taking the time to answer me. Your essays are very strong and I want to be able to understand your position completely. I haven't been able to get intelligent answers from anyone on these issues until now.
Sincerely,
Poppy Dixon
Subject: RE: Love the Sinner
Sent: 02/16/97
From: Don Hawley
To: Poppy Dixon, pdix@postfun.com
Poppy:
>Could you give me the URL on your essay against adultery? If you haven't written one, why did you choose homosexuality over adultery as the sin to focus on?
I haven't done anything on adultery; much better covered through the years than homosexuality.
I wrote on homosexuality because of my step daughter's attitude toward her husband's homosexual brother.
>The Bible says to think on things which are beautiful and edifying.
If you've been "hit on" two or three times as I have, and if you are concerned about the inroads homosexuality is making in the Christian community, you think about it.
>And I may be confused, but when you use the words "an improper activity for me" it sound as if sin is a relative thing? If this is so how can I know which sins to hate?
 David speaking of the slain Jonathan, with whom his soul was 'knit,'"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places. I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women."II Samuel 1:25,26
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I've spent most of my life confused about the Bible. I thought it was a God-given list of do's and don'ts rather than a book of principles to live by. In some cases, such as is the case with adultery and homosexuality, God is very specific. In other cases, including matters not even in existence when the Word was penned, we have to go by the principles God has outlined - and I think they are sufficient.
While God loves sinners with a perfect love, he also hates sin with a perfect hate. It was sin that put his Son on the cross. When I see Jesus hanging there between heaven and earth, I too hate the sin that crushed out his life. God help me also to love the sinner as he does.
I hope it is clear that I do not treat lightly either adultery or homosexuality. I agree, however, that we need to spend the majority of our time looking at Christ rather than at sin. By beholding we become changed.
I also believe we are entering into a new phase of warfare that will climax in the Second Coming of our Lord. While we must be sure we have on all the protective armor, we must also skillfully wield the Sword of the Spirit. Mere passivity will not do in the crisis hour.
God Bless!
Don
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