"We're Kicking Him out to Show How Inclusive We Are"

The Rev. Louie Giglio, pastor of the Passion City Church in Atlanta, was pressured to withdraw from proceedings at the inaugural after, horrors, it was revealed that the man had preached a sermon seen to express the notion that homosexuality was sinful and that Jesus could help.

Matt Archbold is welcoming that pressure:

I give huzzahs to the Inaugural staff who seemingly pushed Rev. Giglio out the door. I prefer clarity on such issues.

Rev. Giglio said at some point in the 1990's that homosexuality was a sin. (Of course, the inclination itself is not but I'm pretty sure he meant the act.) He also said that those with the inclination towards homosexuality should turn to Christ for help.

Insert gasps here. A Christian!!! This was a very clear statement from Rev. Giglio about his beliefs. Kudos. Now, if you read the statement from the inaugural committee it's pretty apparent that the back of Rev. Giglio's pants have a POTUS shaped boot mark on them. They said:

We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.

Inclusion and acceptance for all Americans? Well, it would seem not all. In short, they said we're kicking him out to show how inclusive we are. But at least they were clear. Huzzahs for clarity. They liked the part of his Christianity that was against human trafficking but not so much the part about homosexuality. Clarity.

What I don't like is that Rev. Giglio is saying he withdrew from the Inaugural. This surely is not something he wanted to do. I wish that instead of being accommodating, he should've made them kick him out. Look, when I was in college I was kicked out of plenty of places. And on those occasions, I made it clear I wasn't withdrawing for the evening. I didn't go quietly. There was yelling and feet pulling and hands holding onto door frames. In short, it was clear to all what the consequences were for violating certain rules of behavior. And many patrons better understood the rules of behavior because I, willing to be a cautionary tale for the benefit of my classmates, was being dragged out by bouncers.

But at least things were clear. I wish Rev. Giglio made it clear he was forced out. That would certainly clarify the conversation, wouldn't it? I'd like to have a discussion about what "inclusion" actually means in today's society. I'd like to be able to discuss "sin."

Matt goes on to opine that we're moving ever closer to a time when the only sin society will acknowledge is the sin of publicly being a Christian.

The cultural clashing is coming to a head.  The question will soon force the lukewarm to choose a side.

Truth will win out.

At what point will we decide for Truth?