My Rights?

     Recent events compel me to take a hiatus from my examination of the concept of a “Just War” and turn to the comingled issues of the treatment of the LGBT community and the second amendment. I know that some would rather not make this turn; in fact I hesitate as well. But, the horrifying event in Orlando, Florida remains in the forefront of my heart and mind. As I mentioned in an early FB post, I thought I’d left such atrocities behind when I winged my way out of Baghdad in 2009. I’d seen the wreckage left behind when Shia had gunned down over thirty Sunni men and boys after lining them up against a wall. Perhaps it was Sunni gunning down Shia, I don’t well remember. But the horrifying sight of broken bodies, the coppery smell of coagulating blood, and the keening wail of the gathered women remains vivid. Now, in my own home, loved ones gather shattered remains and mourn the loss of those they hold dear.

     Some, thankfully few, hold that in some way the LGBT community deserves or brings such treatment upon themselves. Sometimes we view this community with special repugnance, forgetting that all sin separates and we all sin. Paul reminds us of this in Romans 3:23. It seems as if we forget this most salient fact. Apart from God’s mercy and grace we all stand guilty. In our lost state God reached out to us. We do nothing to merit. We do nothing that causes God to owe us anything. We must summon the courage to love those who are different than ourselves. In response to a question about who is who in the zoo, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, teaching that all those we meet along the way are our neighbors. We must also remember that the same grace I expect God to continually apply to my failings applies to others’ failings.

     These are difficult questions. When do we presume on God’s grace? When, and how, do we stop behaviors abhorrent to God? How much patience does God have with us, with others? All of these are good questions; ones I will not attempt to answer here. I will say that Jesus calls us to ere on the side of graciousness. Loving the fallen is difficult, but something that God calls us to do. He calls us to take risk. He calls us to plunge in and reach out to the world around us. Those who were wounded, maimed, or died in Orlando did not deserve their fate any more than we might for our transgressions. We must grieve with those so deeply wounded, knowing that God did not take special delight in this tragedy. We must work to bind up wounds. We must work to staunch the tide of violence.

     We must revisit our understanding of the Second Amendment. Those of us who wear the name of Christ would do well to think of this "right" in the light of I Corinthians 8. Here Paul addresses the issue of rights and brotherhood. In his day eating meat offered to idols was quite an issue; today, not so much. But he does say, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” I Corinthians 8:9. He instructs us to be tender and willing to give up our rights in order to preserve unity. I know that he wrote this to believers about relations with other believers. I fully understand the theological leap that I am making. But I believe it is one worth contemplating.

     As Christians we gave up our rights when we became slaves to righteousness. Perhaps we might apply this to the secular world. Perhaps we might consider a slight curtailment of certain secular rights in order to secure a better future for ourselves and our posterity. I believe that my relationship with Christ should lead me to be extremely flexible regarding my rights; even in, or perhaps especially in, the secular realm. After all, we represent Christ who gave up everything in order that He might save us. Paul continues in this example when he says, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Romans 9:22. We ought to be a most flexible people. We ought to be those willing to give up some portion of our rights when seeking ways to limit the carnage.

     In every aspect of modern life we regulate behaviors that might prove a threat to those around us. You have to prove your abilities to drive a car, show adequate knowledge of the rules of the road, and prove fiscal responsibility in case of accident in order to legally drive. In response to death and injury inflicted by unsafe vehicles, we developed a wide variety of regulations. I remember when cars did not necessarily come with seat-belts. I installed seat-belts in my first pick up; partially to enable the young woman of my choice to sit next to me. Now, cars come with seat-belts, airbags, anti-lock brakes, crumple-zones, and a plethora of other safety features. Consequently, cars are safer, more reliable, and much more dependable. In the late nineteenth century we wearied of the abysmal state of processed food in our nation. We developed the FDA and as a result enjoy some of the safest food on the globe. Again, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, aghast at images of children killed and maimed in factories we legislated our way into a safer country; a country which does not condone and limits child labor. We’ve seen a variety of legislative efforts that improve our society. I frequently read postings which disparage the ability of legislation to affect human behavior and societal norms. A careful examination of the facts; especially when you consider the examples of other countries, leads one to understand that well thought out legislation results in positive outcomes.

     The second amendment states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The term “well regulated” leaps out at me. Evidently the authors of the amendment expected some form of regulation. They left us free to develop constraints we deem necessary. This flexibility is part of what makes our Constitution a marvelous and useful document. We need to explore every avenue available in order to develop a more just society.

     As a Christian, I support such attempts to make positive changes in my nation. We simply cannot accept the status quo. The tragic events in Orlando lead me to carefully reexamine how I think about LGBT issues and the second amendment. The example of Jesus leads me to the conclusion that I often overemphasize my rights. He gave up His in order to show me a better way. Perhaps, I need to be less protective of mine in order to help create a better country.