It’s true that we preach repentance. Holiness. Obedience. That we must change when we come to Him. But to characterize that as “hate,” well that’s just an old-fashioned, damnable lie. It’s slander and you know it.

So do you actually believe it, or do you just keep repeating it because it works? 

“I hate you.”

I’m a Christian and you are a homosexual, therefore “I hate you.”

Or at least that’s the lie that the progressive media and the advocacy groups want you to believe.

If we listened to the rhetoric that comes from the opponents of conservative Christians, we could almost believe that Christians are among the most hateful, spiteful, bigoted people on planet earth. That we are literally right now planning the overthrow of our sophisticated, modern society. That we spew hatred as the spittle literally flies from our angry lips.

But it’s all a lie. We don’t hate anyone. And I think you know it.

Nevertheless, very many people are bent on repeating this lie often enough that it actually appears to have gained the ascendancy. If enough people say it on the internet, then it must be true. The argument goes something like this: Premise A – Christians do not agree with homosexuality. Premise B – That which we do not agree with, we “hate.” Conclusion: Christians hate homosexuals.

But I have a simple question for you – is that really true?

Are Christians actually hatemongers? I don’t think so. And, get this, I also think we ALL know it.

The word “hate.” It is so powerful isn’t it? It’s the very word our mothers used to tell us not to use! Johnny don’t say ‘I hate Suzy’ say that you ‘strongly dislike her.’  I was forbidden to use the word “hate” in my home except under extreme circumstances. Your mother probably gave you similar reprimands. But that’s why this mantra is repeated so often and so forcefully it our culture today: because it perpetuates the narrative that Christians are among the fringe. The extreme. The unacceptably intolerant.

Let me ask you an important question: Do you actually BELIEVE this lie, or do you just keep repeating it because it works so well against us? 

If you are so gullible that you actually believe (I mean actually BELIEVE) that all Christians are hate-mongers, seething, and spitting because of the mere existence of homosexual practice, then man do I have a fishing story to tell you!

Personally, I think we all know it’s not true. The Emperor has no clothes. The old “hate speech” rhetoric is just good old-fashioned political spin that not even the most dedicated purveyors believe. They just keep saying it because it works really well. It casts the pro-gay community as the enchanting underdogs that the mean old establishment never gave a chance. It shades traditionalists as hostile and vehement, perpetually angry.

If the talking heads on TV are right, we Christians are probably right now planning our next attack! Getting ready our baseball bats to knock down our gay neighbors’ mailboxes. Readying our cans of spray paint to tag our vengeful graffiti all over the county courthouses. Firing up Molotov Cocktails for the next midnight spree of mayhem.

But that doesn’t describe any Christians that I know. And it doesn’t describe me.

In our worship services we gather weekly, and sing songs and old hymns. We shake hands and give hugs. We baptize babies and confess our sins to Jesus. We read the words of the Ancient Book and try to live lives of holiness and faithfulness. We run soup kitchens and homeless shelters. We give free counseling to anyone who needs it. There is only one word that adequately describes what is experienced in the midst of our Lord and Christ in the Church = love.

It’s true that we preach repentance. Holiness. Obedience. That we must change when we come to Him. But to characterize that as “hate,” well that’s just an old-fashioned, damnable lie. It’s slander and you know it.

So do you actually believe it, or do you just keep repeating it because it works? 

Matthew Everhard is the Senior Pastor of Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Brooksville, Florida. This article appeared on his blog and is used with permission.