Adam Lambert Turns the Other Cheek (Again)
by Deborah WeissJewish, gay Adam Lambert seems to be more Christian than some “Christians” at the Baptist Church. Ye shall know them by their fruits.
Adam is a singer first and foremost, and initially it was his voice that drew me to him. His range, falsetto, and his ability to hold high notes were amazing. On “American Idol,” his choices in music, clothes, lighting and sets, always made his performances entertaining. Indeed, I liked his whole performance package. Additionally, I was intrigued by his display of emotion, including the angry snarls and the steaming sexuality. I’m a Broadway and hard rock girl, and I liked the fact that he was over-the-top.
Some of the exact things I liked about his performances, also probably made me biased against him personally. I can’t really say I felt the kind of attraction to him that so many others professed. And, his Goth look — the pitch black hair, black eyeliner and nail polish, coupled with his unabashed sexuality, didn’t exactly lead me, conservative Debbie, to believe that he’s the kind of guy I’d want to be friends with or whose values I would share. Fortunately, I’m open minded, and as in my politics, I try to form conclusions based on fact, not superficial impressions.
I started listening to Adam’s confessionals during “American Idol” and was first struck by how focused, ambitious, articulate, and intelligent he seemed. Other “Idol” contestants talked about how fun it was to live in the mansion and how they liked to goof off with other house-mates. Adam talked about his musical influences, his goals and career path. Perhaps unwittingly, he built up a following. OK, so he’s smart. But still, a liberal guy from California? Probably not my type.
Yet, as time went on I found myself reading and listening to all his interviews via TV, radio, blogs and print. Now I admit, I don’t quite understand the sex and the drugs, but putting that aside, I was surprised to find out what a good head he has on his shoulders. I would go as far as to say that some might learn a lesson or two from listening to his perspective. Does he get upset when criticized? No, he takes it with a grain of salt. Conceal who he is when being honest might cause rejection? Well, maybe he’s better off without people who feel that way. Take off his guyliner to conform to society and possibly increase “AI” votes? No, it’s more important to be who he really is. Advice to future contestants? Take risks. Things not working out in your life? Don’t give up; step it up. See others who don’t fit in? Embrace them. Feel outcast? Try to accept yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin. Lead the banner for gay rights? Nah, he’s focused on singing. It’s all about the music and he’s not going to get side-tracked. Whom he sleeps with is just coincidental.
Adam goes all out during his performances. I saw the American Idol Concert at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC in August. His twenty minute stint has got to be exhausting: he holds back nothing. And unlike the other performers, during his “free time” during the tour, between meet and greets, interviews, and sleeping on a bus going from city to city, he’s recording his debut album (to be released November 24, 2009).
We all have our favorite singers as well as those we dislike. And, for each of us it will undoubtedly be based on different underlying factors. For some, it’s based purely on the type of music and the voice, for others presentation might make a difference. Yet others will seek out those whose values or lifestyle they can admire or relate to.
Still, every performer in the “American Idol” concert is doing his or her best to put on a good show. In this regard, Adam is no different from his fellow performers.
Despite this fact, there have been protests outside the concert halls, lambasting Adam and “American Idol” producers for permitting Adam to perform. The protesters, all in the name of Christianity, evidently thought it was important enough to take time out of their day to rally outside the concerts holding venomous signs and screaming epithets. Some of the signs read, “God hates fags” and “fags doom nations”. On Sunday, August 30, 2009, Adam had to endure the second of such protests, held in Kansas and conducted by members of a Baptist church. The first protest was in San Jose on July 12, 2009, also by members of a Baptist church.
In a YouTube interview, one of the Kansas City protesters spewed forth contempt and hatred….yes, hatred. She insisted that her views were rooted in the Bible and explained that her pastor gave a sermon stating why she should feel hatred in her heart toward Adam and gays, as she’s sure God does. She argued that Adam is a sinner and that “American Idol” is glorifying sin by allowing Adam to perform.
Adam’s response? In a radio interview after the first protest, he stated that he respects their opinion, but has a different world view. He added that he was pretty sure that “God hates hate” and pondered whether the protesters’ energy might be better spent on something more positive like feeding the homeless, if their goal was to make a difference.
After the second protest, Adam didn’t comment (admirable in itself), but tweeted: “Love overcomes hate. Love knows no color. Love knows no orientation. Love is all. (:”.
Wow. Now I consider myself fairly conservative politically. But I am also tolerant in the true sense of the word. And what two consenting adults do in the privacy of their home is none of my business. If people want to stand outside with signs that read “Adam’s singing sucks,” that’s fair game. But whom he sleeps with should be off-limits.
As to the protesters’ comments, they are not even theologically accurate. First, we are all sinners, so to select out one type of sin and insinuate that it’s worse than adultery for example, is erroneous. Second, are we not to love the sinner and hate the sin? Third, didn’t Jesus say to overcome evil with good? Judge not, lest you be judged? Worry about the plank in your own eye…..??
I was struck by how Adam handled the barrage of hatred by people to whom he’s done nothing. I think there are a lot of people who, similarly situated, would have cursed, told the protesters to drop dead, screw off, and generally returned their anger with more anger. Instead, all the while, this guy-linered gay guy, ever gracious, has shown nothing but respect for those who would spit in his eye. He has shown love toward those who hate him. So who is really following the teachings of Jesus? I believe that it is Adam Lambert, who has turned the other cheek……again.
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256 Comments
Wonder which cheeks did he turn over?
There's only one problem with this argument: what he did to "Ring of Fire" constitutes a crime against humanity. To quote "Billy Madison:" "Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
Deborah , I hope you get over your fascination for gay eyeliner wearing American Idol contestants.
Sounds like the good folks at Westboro Baptist Church are making trouble again.
There is nothing in the Bible about God hating the sinner (that would mean we're all in very big trouble we richly deserve and have no way out of it). God's against the sin! And he provides a way out of the sin. He's a forgiving God. He's a loving God.
Now, does he like that his children sin and don't ask for forgiveness? No. Does he like it when we just say, "It's a life style. I was born this way." No. But that doesn't just go for being gay. That goes for ALL sins. That means MY sins and the sins of those who your article comments on. And you, too, Deborah (don't want you to feel left out).
Adam, if you're reading this, I want you to know that Christians shouldn't act this way. In fact, I'm feeling the sin of being judgmental and want to say they're NOT Christians, but I have no idea what's in their hearts or their heads.
I thought you did great on Idol. For my wife and I, you were in the top two (and neither of our picks won).
If 'the Baptist' Church is Westburo 'God hates Everyone' Baptist Church then Lambert is experiencing what is often done at the funerals of fallen warriors; their families and friends always turned the other cheek and showed extraordinary love, too.
No shooting. Your text is accurate. But it's not the complete picture (you can list much of Leviticus for what we should NOT be doing).
Let me add (John 14-21):
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.[e]
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Adam Lambert News and Big Hollywood. Big Hollywood said: Adam Lambert Turns the Other Cheek (Again) http://bit.ly/iwszw [...]
Deborah, That church does that to gays all the time. Please don't loop them with most christians as most christians would not act that way to gays. The more attention you give them the more validation and continuance of their ways will happen. While i disagree with Adam's lifestyle I will always show him respect as a human being. It is not an issue for me.
[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptJewish, gay Adam Lambert seems to be more Christian than some “Christians” at the Baptist Church. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Adam is a singer first and foremost, and initially it was his voice that drew me to him. His range, falsetto, and his ability to hold high notes were amazing. On “American Idol,” his choices in music, clothes, lighting and sets, always made his performances entertaining. Indeed, I liked his whole performance package. Additionally, I was intrigued by his disp [...]
Just a guest. I agree with the writer. I have NEVER watched idol before although I sure heard enough about it and saw it as just another distraction to keep folks from facing real facts in life. And yes that is truth. However, I also know my tunes and music well and on the first night I caught Lambert's work and from then on, every week I was there to catch his act. Turned off the tube when he was done. He is spectacularly entertaining and talented.
I also have a thing about gays and the destruction of the American family (along with a few other factors with that goal) but I sure don't hold it against someone if they are just doing what they are created to do, entertain and do it with skill. Now if he had come out and gone on a crusade, it might have been different, but he did not. He just got up there and was himself, amazingly entertaining and not bad eye candy. This is coming from a 62 year old woman by the way. I think he is doing fine and showing himself to be the better person for ignoring them as he does. If he rants in private, he rants in private. But in public he is class and handles this idiocy well.
Those people should ship over to Palestine and turn their energy into houses for the homeless or some other terribly needy situation. As for Adam, rock on sweetheart.
I attended AC/DC and Van Halen concerts in San Jose and the same "Jesus is angry at you" people were outside with their signs yelling at us "sinners" going into the show. I think their ranting is aimed at people of all sexual orientations.
Thank you! She certainly did leave out the name of the church, but conveniently labeled them Baptists.
Poor journalism. MSM race-card paygrade.
obi obi obi, you are such a twonk, Adams version of Ring of Fire was a song done by Dilanah on Rock Star way before Adam did, he borrowed the version and it was brilliant, I hope he puts on the CD, much better than a stick man strumming a guitar in monotone singing about the passions of love, you must be one dull dud. Go away back to Westboro. You need the mercy bud.
I think you have been smokin "bud"
Westboro "Baptist" Church is "Baptist" only because their sign says so. If ACORN says the "C" really stands for "conservative" would that make them a conservative group?
Fred Phelp's gang is a fringe minority that do not speak for any significant portion of Christianity, as I would say they are as far away from being like Christ as anyone they could possible protest. They have no affiliation with any other churches. They are self-proclaimed Baptists and self-proclaimed Christians whose church consists almost exclusively of Phelp's family. They get way more publicity than their numbers shoudl dictate.
God hates sin, not sinners, and while they may include sexual sins, it also includes pride, hatred, wicked judging, not display love, etc. etc.
I would hope that Ms. Weiss would do more research into the self-proclaimed "Baptist" church before she uses their idiocy as a mark against average Baptists in America.
I kind of figured it was the WBC. Most Baptists aren't as extreme, or as outspoken or confrontational, as Fred Phelps and his repugnant clique.
I love Adam… all of you haters… just go and do something productive in your life… give more love and then you will receive it…. you just hate yourself, stop hating yourself… love yourself and then you will love other.
Enough said
Peace to all.
Dear author, be precise with your words, please. Not all Baptists treat gay people like that. I think you owe Baptists an apology for this article. Thank you.
This whole gay thing is so weird. The gossip columns spend a lot of time and energy 'outing' famous people for sexual 'wrongdoing' and their top priority is homosexuality. At the same time, the same people (example, Perez Hilton, but he's not the only one) HATE what they call 'homophobia".
Now, there are very few really great actors and entertainers. They should be treasured. AND what they do off the stage is just not my business, OR ANYONE ELSE'S!!!.
Thank you, Deborah – for a beautiful article about a truly beautiful man!
Au contrare, dear reader, YOU need to be more precise in your reading. I said "some" in the Baptist Church. Perhaps you should apologize to me!
I, too, am ultra conservative, but I love Adam Lambert! I also loved Allison Iraheta last year.
I can't believe people would demonstrate against him singing in the tour! Even if you think homosexuality is a sin, there's no point in making such a big deal out of it – live and let live and enjoy Adam and Allison!
"Now I admit, I don’t quite understand the sex and the drugs, but putting that aside, I was surprised to find out what a good head he has on his shoulders."
This article – epic fail.
I thought he was very fake and affected on AI, like the entire thing was completely an act, and I do disagree with his lifestyle choices, but he seems like a genuinely kind person who hasn't done anything to deserve the hate he's getting. His voice is incredible, and he certainly has the talent to go far. If he'd tone it down a bit and perform more sincerely, instead of the "oh, it's sad song, spew the fake tears and the puppy eyes," thing, I'd like him a lot more.
Gee, somehow the fact that Adam Lambert's friend, American Idol winner Kris Allen, is a faithful Christian and a worship leader at his home church did not make it into Ms. Weiss's piece. Could it be that Lambert has a positive impression of authentic Christians because he knows Kris Allen and his wife? Hm??
I won't bother with Ms. Weiss's shallow understanding of theology. Adam Lambert isn't following Jesus, nor does he claim to do so. And Jesus would say to him, "go, and sin no more." (John 8:11)
I am a conservative, Christian and I think the article is right on. I do not believe for one second that God would be doing what they did to Adam. Sin, is sin, is sin…no matter what. Only a perfect person should be the the one who chastises him.
Don't think that being has arrived the second time…yet!
Speaking as a Baptist, I second this request. Heck, speaking as a Christian, I second this request!
Generalizing all Christians with Westboro is like generalizing all Mormons with the polygamist sects. The only thing they have in common is what they claim, not reality. No one who reads the Bible could actually behave they way they do in good conscience.
It is the Bible that is so different from Buddhism and Hinduism which are in keeping with quantum physics and meditation.-yet here in usa eveyone refers to the Bible. Read Ezekiel again and tell me that 's not an ET that those people believed in thousands of years ago. If I saw a burning bush and heard a voce say it was 'God' and was told to sacrifice my son – bull stinky- I'd ask for ID or tell' 'god' to read my mind so I don't have to jprove anything. Do you still believe in a 'god ' that puts us on earth, let's us be tempeted and then condems people to a hell? I don't. People having near death experiences don't either ( I did at age 12 so I know ) Meditatirs are experiencing that is only ONE Being and It is the same ian each and everything. As for people, we are whole people not just our sexuality. And Margaret Mead's studies on sex in the primitive island – children experimented with all kinds of sex until they found their particular sexual nature-hetero, bisexual, homosexual. Science confirms it.
Au contrare, dear reader, YOU need to read more precisely. I said "some" in the Baptist church. Perhaps you should apologize to me!
Westboro "Babtist" Church is famous around our city in OK for doing this same crap. They protested outside of my mothers church (Baptist) because they had welcomed an openly gay high school student into the fold. The members of Westboro are mostly the family of the leader. Nutjobs, all.
As a Christian and avowed conservative. I want to say that I love the love thats being shared in these comments. We as Christians are to hate sin but love the sinners. You guys are showing true Christ-likeness in your words. I am ashamed by "Christians" who make themselves look like such complete jackasses by doing things like that to people they should be loving and showing that there is a better way. It is so encouraging seeing Christian conservatives who are truthfully proclaiming Biblical truths. God Bless you guys!
I'm with you sister! Can you imagine what a better world this would be if a few more of us stopped talking about love and put it into practice. Love isn't a feeling, it's a behavior. I have always explained it this way to my children. :"I can say I love you all day long, but if I don't feed you , would you think I love you?"
I think Adam was like that before he met Kris. It's why they are friends!
To continue, maybe you might want to try liestening to 'yoursefl' God is in you- got a hunch, a feeliing , a gut reaction-listen to your inner teacher your intuition-God is part of you and never separate., not 'somone up there' Know Thuyslf. Love one another, treat people how you want to be treated. Studies under hypnosis and even under LSD have shown we are all one. Don't need to do that, meditaion brings same results. Millions have read and practiced the meditaion in Eckhart Tolle's book Power of Now and have found the answers by themselves, for themselves .Wehn you love, you feel peace,joy etc-Love isAll There Is.
It's good to know that!
1. Please do not confuse the hateful creeps from the Westboro "Baptist Church" with the rest of Christianity.
2. "Now I admit, I don’t quite understand the sex and the drugs, but putting that aside, I was surprised to find out what a good head he has on his shoulders."
*Facepalm.*
3. Lambert is talented and I'm glad that for now, he's holding himself out (if you'll pardon the expression) as a singer who happens to be gay rather than a GAAAAY singer. But I'm sorry, he will not switch teams for you.
I love Adam as an entertainer…I was at the Kansas City concert and I must say it would of been wonderful to meet Adam but they made him leave afterwards….As far as hateing Adam when he is such a nice, and smart on his interviews…..My sister and neices had a gay friend and he was the most marvelous person I ever met and a lot of fun…Tho' he could not sing like Adam can….Last night was the end of the Idol tour so I hope the church (so called) can find something else to hate……We love Adam, and God is Love…..
God is also Holy. : )
Yeah this was a sloppy, sloppy piece of writing. Deborah – your theology lesson was about as deep as a sermon from Obama. A few crappy Christians and one crappy blog entry – that about sums up this piece.
Lambert is a good person. Better than his critics.
I wonder if Westboro is going to start protesting fat people, too. You know, the deadly sin of "gluttony". Why so picky about which sin they abhor? You know, we're all sinners, it's just that some sins are harder to hide than others. Fat people, myself included, wear a scarlet letter every day.
Great points you've made here!!!! BTW, last quote was "All is love". Aside from his busy schedule, Adam Lambert has also raised over 150,000 at donors.org, to help children attending public schools and over 30,000 for Musicares, an organization that helps struggling musicians with health care. Many talk, but Adam actually walks the walk.
The most remarkable thing about this article is the author's utter cluelessness of what the Westboro Baptist Church is. Its members are hardly Baptist or any other breed of Christian. They are all family members of the pastor, Fred Phelps, who has been getting free press for going-on two decades now for his "God Hates F@gs" antics. But thanks for the scoop, anyway, Deborah!
Can meditation improve one's spelling skills?
Agreed Buck! Phelps & co. are reprehensible but this piece doesn't differentiate between them and other Baptists. And please spare me – you used the words "some Christians" once and for the rest of the article talked about a generic Baptist church..were the protesters form the same church? did you bother to find out?
Thank you for your article – very well written. I am a total Adam Lambert Fan. I love his voice – and his rendition of Ring of Fire – but mostly I love the man for who he is and for his ever positive spirit – so beautiful and soulful. I can't even imagine what he has had to overcome in his life yet here he is – encouraging us to accept differences and to spread love not hate. He is extremely humble and so kind and giving to others – the way he always takes every opportunity to praise the talents of others and to put them in the spotlight is absolutely remarkable for an artist who is in the fledgling stages of his own career.
It makes me very sad that there are people in this world who are so filled with hate that it has rendered them blind to such beauty and love in another human being
True freedom, which is what we are suppose to have in this country according to the Constitution, is allowing others to do things you do not approve of. Liberal left or Religious right, asking gov't to favor your ideology, is not upholding freedom of the individual, it's demanding control.
Just something to think about…
Very well written. I was not a fan last season, but could not dispute his abilities. The man is incredibly talented.
As to his flamboyance; well, it would be enough to cause me to not buy his records, but I honestly could not argue with those who choose to do so. But if he asks nothing of me, he can do whatever he likes. I seem to recall a Samaritan woman who wasn't held in very high esteem until Jesus asked her to draw him some water. The right to judge is not something which was given to me. He has reserved that to Himself. My job is to love my neighbor as myself.
So.
Were these protesters the Westboro Baptists or weren't they? If they were, Deborah, you might be excused for not knowing who they were, but you still owe an apology for a general smear of Christians and a specific smear of "some" Baptists if it was actually the same well-known vile family traveling around to these places. Everyone makes mistakes and if you haven't been closely following war news it's entirely understandable not to realize that these are the same people who have been disrupting military funerals with the exact same signs and telling families burying their loved ones that they deserved to die.
They can't be made to call themselves something other than Baptist and they can't be shot in the head.
Luckily… some of us believe in hell.
Indeed. It seems the ones really obsessed with "sexual orientation" are the ones who tell us it should make no difference. Oh irony…..
Ms. Weiss, you can learn about the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) on the Anti-Defamation League website. The WBC is infamous for showing up at the funerals of American soldiers who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And if you do a little research, you will see that they are the "Baptists" who are protesting Adam Lambert's concert appearances.
Listen to what he says about that in his interview with Michael Slezak on EW's website.. First, the inspiration for his arrangement was the version done by Dilana on Rockstar Super Nova. Second-Johnny Cash was an innovator. He worked with Trent Reznor. He took musical risks. He appreciated many styles of music.
As for me? No song or any other piece of art (fine, literary or performance) is cannon. It is inspiration. It is wrong for a person to attempt to make an exact copy of a piece of art and sell it as their own. But for another artist to feel an emotion or spiritual direction from the original creation and make their own personal rendition of that inspiration-this is art
To the OP…I only wish you had included what triggered Adam's tweet in KC. Many of us following that night's tour stop from the web started a "twitter-storm" #godhateshate. Eventually it got to ppl at the show who had internet access on their phones and they tweeted to. By the end of the night, #godhateshate was the #1 trending topic.
ROF was one of my favorite performances.
It is called "grace." Adam has it.
I've got better things to do with my life than running around complaining about people's sins like these doofuses from Westboro. I mean, I've got sins of my own that need committing.
Seriously though, I don't agree with this guy's homosexuality but that's the extent of it. In other words, I'm no judge and his sins are between he and God. Like I said, I've got sins of my own to account for. Quite frankly, he sounds like a sensible dude based on this article here and somebody's bedroom antics are the least of anyone's concern.
Free country and all that…
What is the point of this article? There are crazies all over the place. Just look at the nuts at the town hall meetings. There is no need to justify sanity, reason and civility. And that's what Adam represents. Those qualities and his voice are what we love and support. Adam needs no justification.
Christians have way more of an agenda then gays bud
Plus the "God Hates Fags" sign sounds like one that they routinely use. I don't feel bad being judgmental about hateful people, and the Westboro folks are truly hateful, vile people.
"Study to show yourselves approved.." Deborah is the classic 'take no stand while calling myself an independent thinker which gives me the right to call all who have thought before me and made a decision intolerant' type. This may well be one of the few sins (with abortion, the other biggy) we are told we can't call a sin, at least not aloud. That attitude we are given tends to irritate us (through Satan of course) to the point where some of us errantly lash out.
Westboro Baptist is NOT Christian. They're mostly lawyers from one family. And they're Democrats.
The correct response, Deb, is to be a repentant sinner not a defiant one. To confess does not mean to 'admit to someone who knew little or nothing about me that I commited a crime' as I once thought it did (as in the TV cop genre). The word means 'to agree' or say the same as. So to confess is to admit to God that you agree with His version of your behavior. He knows what His book says and He is not ambiguous on its meaning. Adam is a sinner as you point out 'like me'. But I do confess my sins to Him and they do make me feel remorse about being disobedient to Him. This is the last thing Homosexuals or abortion Drs. and 'victims' wish to do. That in your face attitude is what goads the fundamentalist Christians to anger. That explains their behavior but it does not excuse it.
[...] Adam Lambert Turns the Other Cheek (Again) [...]
Yikes-some people just need drama, and if they don't have any handy, they create it. Come on, Westboro.
I agree with the author's assessment of Adam Lambert. He does indeed approach life from the perspective of acceptance, love and respect for everyone. Friends and colleagues indicate that he always maintains a positive yet realistic attitude. He is focused, intelligent, articulate, kind and gracious. Those attributes would indeed be inspiring in a person of any age or walk of life but are perhaps less expected in a young, openly gay glam rock over-the-top performer with a goth edge. As for the article being a bad reflection on the Baptist Church, I'm a Canadian Roman Catholic who knows very little about the Baptist church, but even I know that the Westboro clan represent nobody's beliefs but their own.
I think Kris treated Adam the way a Christian SHOULD treat people, regardless of their lifestyle. I'll bet, however, that Kris did not compromise his beliefs in doing so. This is the rub – and what is difficult for for some Christians to understand. The strength of our faith and our love of the Lord is in our love for others, not our snooty disdain. Knowing how God grieves at my own sins makes my heart softer for others, not harder. We all have need of a Savior.
And THAT is difficult for non-Christians to understand. "Hating the sin and not the sinner" doesn't make sense until they see us taking responsibility for our own failings and being compassionate toward others.
I'm nothing but a sinner, saved by grace, and I suspect Kris may view himself that way, as well. Adam seems like a wonderful person from a great family. I'm thankful that at least one Christian in his life demonstrated the love of God toward Adam, and I'm hopeful that his own walk of faith will lead him safely "home."
Uh, sorry, Margaret Mead's whole 'primitive sex utopia' was proven to be a complete farce. She either made it all up out of whole cloth or saw what she wanted to see. The Samoans she was writing about were even more uptight about girls meeting up with boys than Fred Phelp's clan. Read Freedman's "Margaret Mead and Samoa: The Making and Unmaking of an Anthropological Myth"
And as for Buddhism and Hinduism, meditation and 'quantum physics' and your Erik von Daniken reading of Scripture, I'll just leave that alone. When someone is doing a fantastic job digging themselves in a hole, no sense in giving them a hand.
This post is appalling. Did the author neglect to do any research on the Westboro "Baptist Church" and its long hateful history of protesting homosexuals, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, the United States, and the funerals of our soldiers? Does she not know that Westboro is considered a fringe, radical hate group, and that no real Christian of any denomination considers them a church and Baptist organizations have denounced them? Is she unaware that the Westboro "Baptist Church" is a vile organization led by a loathesome disbarred lawyer who wrote a letter of praise to Saddam Hussein for crying out loud? Or did she deliberately decide to not to mention Westboro, and chose only to mention the intolerance of "some Baptists" in order to make her story more provocative?
Ms. Weiss, you were either too lazy to do your research or too dishonest to tell the whole story. The Westboro group is not "a Baptist church" any more than the KKK is an "advocacy group." Next time, rather than demanding apologies from your readers, show them a little respect by telling the truth.
lana L/ I love you but I disagree with you. It seems as if you believe in everything BUT the Bible. You have probably studied it, though, since you seem to have researched many, many belief systems.
You have made several recommendations, and in response, I would like to recommend that if you have access to a Bible, you read the book of John. If not the whole book, at least the first chapter. He knew Jesus – in fact, he was called "the one whom Jesus loved." I've seen people who were committed atheists and agnostics, and people of other religions, read this chapter and had the eyes of their hearts opened. Please give it a try.
Sincerely,
Sue
Tony… are you serious ?!!! do you see yourself up there in that article ??? here is a hint, you arn't Adam.
Umm… Fred Phleps, who runs Westboro, is a Democrat. There are pictures of him with Al Gore. Poor Al.
Your points about hate against gays are correct, but you're preaching to the choir — as it's been said, Fred Phelp's crazy "church" is mostly his own family, and you can't confuse him and his wackos with the vast majority of Christians who have a principled, not hateful, objection to homosexuality.
As for your second point, if someone is unabashedly doing something you consider very distasteful, it's not entirely unreasonable to decline to support their creative output, irrespective of its quality. I think there are plenty of people around here who eschew the works of, say, Janean Garofalo or Sarah Silverman for this very reason. I disagree – I quite enjoyed a couple of Garofalo's performances, and I am not hypocritical enough to say that I find them poor now simply because I am aware of her politics.
If you want to be really constructive, then don't berate people for what they believe — instead, point out the simple truth that approving of someone's creative work and approving of EVERYTHING they do are not the same thing. How many of our favorite performers have had brushes with DUIs and rehab? I submit that enjoying Robert Downey Jr's performance Iron Man does not mean I have to approve of his alcoholism, too. (I know he's recovered now, it's just an example.)
Adam Lambert is most likely one of the kindest, most caring human beings that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. We spoke with him after one of his concerts, and he is truly WONDERFUL.! He is gracious and articulate. He is sincere and humble. Most of all he is filled with LOVE for EVERYONE! The world would be a far greater place if everyone would take a lesson from ADAM LAMBERT! MUCH LOVE TO YOU ADAM!
[...] the original here: Adam Lambert Turns the Other Cheek (Again) This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
Do you realise just how pathetic you sound. God have mercy on your soul, you're gonna need it.
It sounds like many people here do not understand that one's sexual orientation is something that a person is BORN with. When a person is homosexual or bi-sexual, it means that that is the way God has made them. A person does not CHOOSE to be gay, they discover that they ARE gay. It is not a "lifestyle choice". Careful scientific studies have shown this to be true. They have shown, for example, that it is uncommon for first-born sons to be gay, more common for 2nd-born sons to be gay, and even more common for 3rd born sons, REGARDLESS of whether the sons are raised by their biological parents. It is found that in some cases, a mother develops antibodies in response to the presence of a male fetus which then make it more likely that a 2nd son will be gay. It has nothing to do with upbringing or choice, it is just a human variation which God has created. It is no more a "sin" to be gay than it is to be male or female. God loves us all equally.
Alcoholism is genetic too. It's still bad for you.
i am unclear on what "the agenda" is…perhaps you are referring to the push for equal rights under the law of the united states of America..to not be treated as second class citizens? So what is so wrong with that?
Live and let live
Don't tread on me
This is true, however bars are legal and you don't see wacky christians protesting my right to have a drink, only my right to marry.
How come we are only allowed to make replys and not comments?
I believe he is referring to the Agenda of Love. StlDan doesn't seem to hate Gays, it is their love that he hates.
Now, you get it?
Thank you, Deborah – great article.
I, too, admire Adam Lambert for the way he handles himself.
I think he is a wonderful talent who will go far.
Can't wait for his album in Nov.!
Aside from wanting the same rights heterosexuals have what is this 'agenda'? Its not like their agenda is to be given the right rape or corrupt your children. All they – and those supporting them in the protest for gay marriage – want is the right to marry and have access to the same options we all have. It is selfish to keep them out of the club because of a baseless fear that they may be dangerous or unclean, or whatever petty argument one can form against their rights.
Honestly I am more worried about the agenda of a man in a Gratful Dead T-shirt and FU hat than I am this "Gay agenda". Or idiots like Fred Phelps. Either one seems more likely to shoot me than Ryan Seacrest is.
wow. i really don't know what to think of this article and the comments. i suppose i should be happy that people are seeing past their own beliefs to accept someone else (who happens to be a shining example of acceptance and love), but i really cannot get past all of the "hate the sin not the sinner" comments and the general "i will tolerate his lifestyle" sentiments. it's just a subtle form of intolerance and homophobia. maybe your "tolerance" and love for his singing will ultimately lead to you finally opening your hearts and seeing the WHOLE person without this so-called sin. sexuality is not a lifestyle or an agenda, it is ONE characteristic of a person and something that is biological – a fact that has been proven by peer-reviewed research time and time again. and given that adam is a non-practicing jew, i think it is rather insensitive that you say adam is following the teachings of jesus… i think he is just being a good person.
Why would he be more christian than the christians you know? Adam is an agnostic jew. I resent the implication that christians are the role model for being kind. You can be kind and be atheist, agnostic, jewish, buddhist or Moslem. Christianity doesn't have a corner in the market for being a decent human being.
I’m mesmerized by Adam/singing. His character, kindness and intelligence shine in a dark world. He's an example of a quality, rising above an industry full of trashy individuals. But, not an example of Christianity, as he doesn’t profess Christianity or follow its teachings. A Christian is less about what they do, but what Jesus did for them (the sinner). Those idiot protestors hardly come in the name of Christianity — but in insanity. Really, who'd make such nonsense statements? But, I'm a over the targeting of every opposing opinion as HATE. All stupid opinions, don't constitute hate. You say “I was struck by how Adam handled the barrage of hatred by people.” And I'm struck by why you'd give it the time of day. With 50 cities and 2 MILLION attendees all cheering their idol and Adam, only about 5 of these 2M had objections. PLEASE, hardly a BARAGE. This is the USA, where free speech reigns and should remain. When we tape the mouths of those we disagree with, then eventually we no longer have a free country — propaganda rules and dictators tell us what to think and say. I'm sure Adam likes his free speech too.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
People really should not cite Leviticus for moral commands. Citing Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13 but not other commands in Leviticus is in clear defiance of Leviticus 18:4-5, 26; 19:19, 37; 20:22 which require all the laws set out be followed. If one is picking and choosing, then one’s authority is not Leviticus but whatever criteria one is using to pick and choose one particular bit of the "Holiness Code" and not others.
Who's Billy Madison? And what does changing the way a song … a country song mind you … is interpreted by the artist constitute a SIN … " may GOD have mercy on your soul"? Why would GOD be offended … it wasn't about HIM … it was a song written about June Carter and Johnny Cash and their FORBIDDEN LOVE AFFAIR!!! ADAM didn't WRITE the stupid song … he only SANG it … and VERY WELL … I might add!!!
I totally agree!!
Frankly, I don't much care for "country" style singing/songs. But I actually liked this song when Adam sang it. Each to his own.
Lev 18:22
Romans 1:26-27
Don't shoot me, I'm only the messenger.
I wish to commend the writer for seeing the ADAM that all of his fans have come to love and admire … one more thing was left out of this article which I feel is much more important than his "orientation" … he has partnered himself with an organization called DonorsChoosedot.org which raises money for art appreciation supplies such as band instruments art supplies etc. for disadvantaged public schools and has asked his fans to contribute to this charity in lieu of buying gifts for him … any more disparaging remarks about this REMARKABLE and TALENTED young man? Who cares if he wears eyeliner or nail polish … that's his business NOT YOURS!!! Grow up PEOPLE!!!
No shooting. Your text is accurate. But it's not the complete picture (you can list much of Leviticus for what we should NOT be doing).
Let me add (John 14-21):
14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
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