Monday, June 4, 2012

bye bye Target

i've been thinking about writing a post on a big issue that seems to be taking over the country right now, one that i've got a very definitive stance on. 

but i've often times been scared too. 

which is crazy because if you ever hang out with me you'd know that there's very seldom times i keep my opinion to myself on things i believe in. 

i'm not sure what i thought was different with this blog. 
maybe because it's such a huge issue that i was afraid i'd loose a lot of readers. 
or maybe because i was worried that i might offend someone. 

but then i saw this. 


to be honest, i was blown away. 

i take the Word of God to be truth. 
which tells me that life is to be cherished, and a gift from above. 
it tells me that the material things of this world mean nothing, and that if He says to, i need to give it all away. 
and {almost the most important}, that marriage is between a man and a woman. 

for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they will become one flesh.
genesis 2:24

it's no hiding that the issue of gay marriage is at the fore front of every thing now a days. it's coming up on the political trail, it's being discussed in schools, and pastors are giving sermons on the issue. 

so with all the bombardment, where do you stand?

i love target. there's really no other place i can walk around aimlessly for an hour just looking at things. clothes, fun food, jewelry, books, makeup. everything. 
but now i'll have to find somewhere else. 

if you haven't heard, or didn't read the article, target has come up with a line of pro-gay marriage t-shirts that are now available for purchase online through the month of july. 
with 100% of the proceeds going to the family equality council. 

my question is: why? 

target in all it's years of existence has only done this one other time, for the st. judes hospital for children. 

again i ask: why?

why does a huge company like target have to get involved in an issue like this? 

and, why doesn't it, instead of being totally one sided, create a t-shirt showing the support of marriage between a man and a woman?

simply put...because the church is under attack. 

for me, it was an easy decision. 
although i love target and it was my most favorite store to shop at...i can no longer buy things from a store that is advocating something i am very much against. 

gay marriage is becoming one of the most talked about but hush hushed conversations people are having these days. 
it seems that if you agree with the issue, your opinion is welcomed. 
but if you disagree...you're pointed out as a bigot, or being judgmental.

and this is where it has to stop. 

it's simple really. 
in my opinion, and in case i haven't said it before, it may not be the right one, but it's mine so i'm entitled to it, i firmly believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. 

that doesn't make me a bad person either. 

my opinion comes from the Word of God which clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. 

or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 corinthians 6:9

if a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, 
both of them have done what is detestable.
leviticus 20:13


yes. everyone sins. 
however, the decision to be a homosexual means that you're choosing to live a sinful life style. 

again i state that this is my opinion. 

i think that the difference is that i have asked for my sins to be forgiven. 
but if you've decided to live a homosexual life style, how does that stand up to the Word of God? have the hearts of the homosexuals been hardened by sin? (romans 1:24)

i don't know the answers because i'm not God. 
this is just what i'm piecing together myself. 

what's most important is that if you believe in something, never back down from your opinion. 

there's a lot going on in the world that is contrary to what God has told us to be doing. 
so maybe this is my little part to try and figure out how to go about all this. 
because as a Christ follower here on earth that's my job. 

to love people.
and to proclaim the Word of God. 
all of it. even the parts no one wants to talk about. 

i have gay friends. i've met a lot of wonderful people who are gay. i work with gay people.
but i still don't agree with their lifestyle. 

but i'm also not out picketing their homes. 

it's a tough act trying to figure out how to be a Christ follower in 2012. it's hard to stand up for all that we believe in because some people just aren't susceptible to it. 

but that doesn't mean we're supposed to back down. 

i'm advocating love here. 
not hate. 

it's ok to disagree with gay marriage...but do so in a loving way. 
explain what the Word says, in a loving way. 
that's the only way this is going to work. 

because people like this are not gaining any souls. and just to be clear: God does not hate fags. 

 truth.

and that's just it. He loves each and every one of us. 

i have no idea if i'm correct here, my opinion is just that, my opinion. and one day He'll tell me if i was right or wrong. 
all i can do for now is go off of what His word says. 

i pray that i haven't offended anyone in this post, that is never my intention. it is my intention to state that it's ok to stand up for what you believe in. 
even if it's not the most popular belief to have. 

it makes me sad, but i'm just going to have to find a new store to love. this feels like a bad breakup. 

bye target, it's been fun. 

all my love, 
meg

15 comments:

Meghan said...

What a great well thought out post! Thank you for writing it!

Praying that you do not get any hate filled comments!

*hugs*

Anonymous said...

They're not the only ones! Starbucks supports same-sex marriages too! which is another reason I don't work or consume from them.

Alissa said...

While I agree with the principle of this post, I have a question about some things.
Yes, God created marriage to be a covenant between one man and one woman. Absolutely. Has the Church been too judgmental in their blatant attacsk upon homosexuals? In many cases, yes. Should we love the people and not their sin? Absolutely.

But, homosexuality is not the only sinful lifestyle. Lying is a lifestyle, unfaithfulness is a lifestyle, worrying is a lifestyle, idolatry is a lifestyle. All of these are directly addressed in Scripture. Homosexuality is not the pinnacle of sin.

And, with this logic, am I also going to refuse to buy anything online using PayPal because they are connected to Planned Parenthood? Or maybe I won't buy a bag of chips from a 7-11 because they sell Bud Light which repeatedly exploits women sexually in their advertisements. Maybe I won't shop at Victoria's Secret anymore because they don't check men's hands for wedding rings.

As you've stated several times in this post, everyone is entitled to their opinion - Target included.

As a Christ-follower, myself, I understand and appreciate your concern for our culture and the emphasis upon this pressing issue. But, how would you say this is proclaiming the Word of God and loving people?

Tiffany Miller said...

We are called to be IN this world but not OF this world. Your post was dead on in my opinion. I believe as Christians we are certainly called to give up and abstain from things that do not bring glory to God. I too will be giving up Target. Such a small sacrifice compared to the one He made for me but its one I feel convicted to make.

Ameera (أميرة) said...

Great post Megan! I think there needs to be more Christians explaining God does not hate any person, in fact He loved the whole world SO much He gave His one and only Son (cf. John 3:16), but He cannot approve of something contrary to His character (SIN). Therefore, we can love everyone even when they sin.

However, I think the 1 Corinthians 6:9 passage must be read in the context of verse 10 "nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." There is a tendency in Christian circles to stratify sin but God doesn't stratify sin. Sin is sin. During a women's chapel at my school they brought in a woman who previously lived a homosexual lifestyle and she pointed out that 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 is a laundry list not a spotlight. Those of us who gossip or deceive are just as much living a lifestyle of sin.

I'm pretty sure that you would agree with me but I felt it needed to be pointed out.

Way to take a stand! I'm glad that there are Christians out there like you who aren't afraid to speak truth.
-Tiffany
http://thewanderingtheologian.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Alissa, while I totally understand your points you've made, I'm not sure you understand that this post is just my opinion, and as I stated, could be wrong. I brought in the scriptures that I believe give a clear answer to the issue of gay marriage. I never mentioned that homosexuality is THE worst sin, its just what God has placed on my heart right now. I'm sorry you didn't see the many times I mentioned that I was advocating love and not hate, I'm praying that you'll go back and see that your last question is already answered.
You're so right about the other things like 711. Maybe they're next ;) I'm sorry for the confusion and hope you can see that I was just stating my opinion on this specific issue.

GingerPeachT said...

Hi I'm Tiffany and I haven't been able to comment much on yiur blog lately because life is busy lol
However I value your stand on this issue! This is a tough decision for one to make and if you feel like its what you need to do to help out then go for it.
On the other hand I can see the other points of not shopping at other places because of promoting promiscuity and drunkenness. I think boycotting something is not going to accomplish much of a change. Just like people were tying to boycott Facebook for a day to prove a point. We are living during a time near the end times! This world has become so sick and twisted that it makes true brothers and sisters in Christ harder to stand up for what we believe.
So I think it's great you are standing up for this, but it's not gonna be a deal breaker for me in my life. I can share this with others so we are all more aware and that may help.

Alissa said...

Megan, but is this still, in principle, presenting the Word? I am not so sure that boycotting Target is getting truth across. As others have said, may we not spotlight sin...
And, don't think that I disagree with your stance against sin. Your stance against sin is not an OPINION, it is a belief firmly founded upon Scripture. Don't diminish it is only your opinion. :)

Alissa said...

*as only your opinion

Mrs.Marie Lester said...

I agree with you, I think it's horrible that the door doesn't swing both ways everyone is about equal rights but Christians of any kind don't seem to get those same rights. If they make a shirt pro-same sex marriage why not make shirts for marriage between men and women? Really loved your post! God Bless you!

Tiffany Miller said...

I dont want to speak for Megan but for me, choosing not to shop at Target is from personal conviction. I don't think that by not shopping there I will make a huge impact on Target and they will change their hearts however I do feel strongly against supporting them and supporting homosexual rights by default.

Tara said...

I am seriously applauding you for writing this! I know this was not easy to write (as a blogger, I understand the fears offending people)! I totally agree with you and I actually had not heard much about this (been out of the loop recently! haha!). Now that I know about this I'm thinking of taking the same stand and not shopping there. Thanks for sharing! Love your blog! God bless!

Erin James said...

GIRL.... I am loving this. Thank you for being so honest and speaking truth. I had not heard of this and am so grieved and concerned about it and the effect this type of thing is having on our country and our future. AMEN SISTER!!!! Keep speaking truth. I'm right there with you. And so is the Lord.


PS - and I'm kinda also loving that you used the "Oh How He Loves Us" and I named my blog post this very thing today before I'd read your post. TWINS til the end!! ;)

Christina said...

Way to be brave girl! I am thankful that we as Christians in America are free to hold our own views and voice them freely. I think it is sad that big companies and especially the government are spotlighting the issue of gay marriage when there are so many other issues plaguing our world right now that are much more detrimental to humanity (lack of funding in education, poverty, abuse and violence, etc). I definitely think when you see something that goes against your core beliefs you should take a stand however you see fit, whether or not it will have a direct impact. We all have to set our boundaries and make choices that are going to further us in our faith, whether others agree or disagree should be a none-issue. Thanks for being brave and writing this. When the vote on gay marriage was taking place in NC I felt compelled to write my thoughts on the issue, but was too scared, so go you!

Michelle said...

YES YES YES!!!! Girl I am SOO happy you are taking a stand on this! I believe the Bible is extremely clear on this issue. I am so happy you are taking a stand. You are one of the very few Christians who believe this way. So many of my friends don't, and it breaks my heart. And it breaks my heart that people think I hate gays or I'm afraid of them. That is NOT true. I've had gay friends and I don't treat them any differently. But like you said, doesn't mean I agree with their lifestyle. This also goes for my friends who think getting wasted and sleeping around is ok. I don't treat them differently, but that doesn't mean I agree with their lifestyle. I love what you said about everyone sinning and choosing to be in a homosexual relationship means you are choosing a sinful lifestyle. We are called to fight sin. Choosing homosexuality is embracing sin, according to the Bible. I know many argue that they are born homosexual. We are born sinful with certain inclinations, but I still believe it's a choice. I hate the backlash against people who don't agree with gay marriage. You're right, it's hard to be a Christ follower right now. We get ostracized by a lot of people. I do my best to take my stand lovingly. I don't ever want to shove my beliefs down someone's throat, but I'm also not going to be swayed. I think your decision to give up Target is something to be commended for sure.

I could go on and on, but I've already written a novel. Just know I'd give you a high five if I could!

 
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