It is past time that I share something dear to my heart, even though it might cost me some friends. But first: some data.
The tragedy in Nashville continues what has become a distinctive trait in which America stands out in the world: the steady drumbeat of mass killings, one that is steadily quickening. From 1966-1975, there were 12 mass killings. From 2011-2020: 160. From 1982-2011, a mass shooting happened every 200 days. Between 2011 and 2014: every 64 days. By mid 2011, there were 10 per week. Last year, 11; 198 mass killings in 19 weeks. (from the Gun Violence Archive, the Rockefeller Institute of Government, and the National Institute of Justice/Violence Project)
It may surprise you to learn that I’m not anti-gun. I’ve enjoyed fellowship with my family, target-shooting in the desert (and I hope they’ll still invite me along). But as I’ve said before: we have an idolatry problem; we continue to protect and honor what inflicts this suffering while we add to the body count, with little willingness to rein the carnage in.
This is what brings me to this post: Many of you have seen messages like those from Tucker Carlson on FOX, saying that the Nashville shooter was part of an “epidemic” of mass killings by the Trans community, which he described as “the natural enemy of Christians” and is therefore “targeting” them. He’s not the only one peddling the false notion that Trans people are behind the carnage, an excuse to avoid the real issues.
First of all: there are possibly 3, out of the hundreds of mass killings, that are linked to a Trans shooter. Secondly: if we’re looking at who to blame, while men are not quite 50% of the population, 97.7% of the shooters are males; 54.8% white men—far more than their share of the population. That, dear ones, is your “epidemic”.
The Trans community is facing a massive, vicious attack by self-serving, cynical politicians, using these precious people as targets for their own hate- and rage-fueled campaigns to make life for Trans people as miserable and as marginalized as possible, and I stand without apology against every ill-informed attempt to cause them harm and embarrassment.
I’m well aware of the issues—I’ve studied them for years, and I am persuaded that there is zero Biblical or theological support for any marginalization or condemnation or shaming of the LGBTQ community. None. The way certain texts are hijacked, torn out of their context and forced to say what they do not, is to do violence to Scripture itself, while harming God’s beloved children. People: this has to stop. The LGBTQ community is not the enemy. They are my friends, and I stand with them, and against those who bear false witness against them.
Setting the Record Straight
