Pride and the Sacred Heart

+This episode is dedicated to the memory of Robin Beasley. Lux aeternum.

TRANSCRIPT

This month is always interesting, because while roughly half of my friends are celebrating Pride, another rough half is pointing out that June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Two different audiences. I usually keep both in mind, but for this special chat I'm splitting things up into two rooms so I can speak more clearly to folks at their level. You're welcome in either room, or both. I won't be checking credentials, so even if a talk isn't oriented to you, you're still welcome, just keep the focus of the talk you're in in mind.

The first room will have a talk by your humble host geared towards tradition-oriented Christians. The topic will be effective outreach to LGBT+ advocates and allies.

After that, you are welcome go on your merry way or stick around a few seconds to move across the audio hall to the other room for a second talk by your humble host, this one geared towards LGBT+ advocates and allies. The topic will be effective outreach to tradition-oriented Christians. That second address starts around 5 minutes 38 seconds into this recording if you want to jump right to it.

Obviously I'm not a particular authority in either world–one of them doesn’t even have any particular authorities–but in the end I hope that by the grace of God I'm able to speak effectively to each group as a member of both, because this sort of conferencing is overdue.

Oh, and I apologize, there is no snack budget for this audio-only conference. You'll have to make do with what you already have. If that's a dealbreaker for you I understand, you're always welcome to circle back later. I do recommend you do your best to listen in when you're not hungry and cranky, as there has historically been plenty of crankiness and I'm hoping we can peek over the barricades past that today.

The first talk will begin after the traditional show intro:

INTRO

THE SACRED HEART TALK

Welcome, tradition-oriented Christians. Winning souls for Christ, that’s our calling, right?

Let's get to the point: how do we win over LGBT+ advocates and allies? How do we bring these souls to Christ? Perhaps there's no point in trying?

With the God who replaces stony hearts, all things are possible, and you know God looks for the lost sheep. If it's not going to happen, that’s between them and God. But you have a moral responsibility to try.

What's the reward? More souls for Christ.

How do you have the best impact? Look for the willing, especially those closest to you. That’s where you'll have the most impact. Reach out using what you have in common. There are Christians among LGBT+ advocates, why not start there if you’re at a loss? Find your allies, and be willing to listen to and work with them for good. You've got common ground. Right now, someone is listening to the other talk, hoping to find and work with someone like you. They’re out there! Reach out to me if I can help, even if only via moral support and encouragement.

Speaking of encouragement, don't be discouraged by minimal progress. Maybe you can win everyone over–wouldn't that be wonderful! But remember, even if you only win over one or two people in a lifetime of work, that echoes across generations. Plus when your efforts are sincere and your intentions good, people see that. They also see when folks take the easy route, tearing down rather than building up. That drives folks away, and our impact on this–for good or for ill–echoes down the generations, because those we influence will go on to influence others, and fruit–good or bad–grows from there. All of this matters, all of this is worth doing, and all of this is worth doing well.

Doing this well doesn’t mean giving up on your principles. Going against your conscience is never the right call. Anchor yourself with the truth and do what you can. It'll be more than you might think.

Thank you for listening, I'm going to get ready for the next talk.

To keep things separated out nicely, let's go ahead and hear the Popeular History intro again while I get my notes ready.

INTRO

PRIDE TALK

Welcome LGBT+ advocates and allies. Protecting LGBT+ rights and lives, isn’t that what we're here for?

Let's get to the point: how do we win over traditionalist Christians? How do we make them see the big picture, and the small picture, the individual lives and pains too? Perhaps there's no point in trying?

There's always a point in doing what's right. You're saving lives and keeping kids from harm by engaging productively with Christians. If it's not going to happen, that’s between them and God. But you have a moral responsibility to try.

How do you have the best impact? Look for the willing, especially those closest to you. That’s where you'll have the most impact. Reach out using what you have in common. There are LGBT+ advocates among Christians, why not start there if you’re at a loss? Find your allies, and be willing to listen to and work with them for good. You've got common ground. Right now, someone is listening to the other talk, hoping to find and work with someone like you. They’re out there! Reach out to me if I can help, even if only via moral support and encouragement.

Speaking of encouragement, don't be discouraged by minimal progress. Maybe you can win everyone over–wouldn't that be wonderful! But remember, even if you only win over one or two people in a lifetime of work, that echoes across generations. Plus when your efforts are sincere and your intentions good, people see that. They also see when folks take the easy route, tearing down rather than building up. That drives folks away, and our impact on this–for good or for ill–echoes down the generations, because those we influence will go on to influence others, and fruit–good or bad–grows from there. All of this matters, all of this is worth doing, and all of this is worth doing well.

Doing this well doesn’t mean giving up on your principles. Going against your conscience is never the right call. Anchor yourself with the truth and do what you can. It’ll be more than you might think.

Thank you for listening, God bless you all. Happy Pride, and may the Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us and on the whole world.

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