“Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.”

Consider the core of her statement: “In my country,… marriage should be between a man and a woman.” She goes beyond offering her personal, private opinion, instead offering her judgment on what marital rights should be for everyone else. To use your analogy, it is the difference between saying, “I believe in God” and saying, “In my country, people should believe in God.” So, I am not surprised that who are in a same-sex marriage, or those who support that right, have seen this as judgmental.

The fact that her judgment corresponds to Christian teaching (although that itself is hotly debated, of course), is a reason to agree or disagree with her judgment. But judgment it remains.

“Well I think it’s great that Americans are able to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman, no offense to anybody out there. But that’s how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman.”

Consider the core of her statement: “In my country,… marriage should be between a man and a woman.” She goes beyond offering her personal, private opinion, instead offering her judgment on what marital rights should be for everyone else. To use your analogy, it is the difference between saying, “I believe in God” and saying, “In my country, people should believe in God.” So, I am not surprised that who are in a same-sex marriage, or those who support that right, have seen this as judgmental.

The fact that her judgment corresponds to Christian teaching (although that itself is hotly debated, of course), is a reason to agree or disagree with her judgment. But judgment it remains.

Whether one’s own views are “liberal,” “conservative” or some other flavor, perhaps the one thing most everyone can agree on that Ms. Prejean’s comments at the pageant started this mess. That triggered two things. One, the inevitable expressions of support from the right, and equally inevitable expressions of indignation from the left.

Two, and just as importantly, she put herself in the public eye as one who judges others. Whether or not one agrees with her beliefs, it is quite understandable that she now finds herself being judged. I think that students of Christ’s teachings realize that.

Whether one’s own views are “liberal,” “conservative” or some other flavor, perhaps the one thing most everyone can agree on that Ms. Prejean’s comments at the pageant started this mess. That triggered two things. One, the inevitable expressions of support from the right, and equally inevitable expressions of indignation from the left.

Two, and just as importantly, she put herself in the public eye as one who judges others. Whether or not one agrees with her beliefs, it is quite understandable that she now finds herself being judged. I think that students of Christ’s teachings realize that.

Of course the tape is not what one would use as a role model, but your comment and many of the others on this board reflect a lack of understanding about what being a Christian is. Christianity requires more than a a birth certificate. It involves a personal decision and the faith can be accepted or rejected. Growing up in a Christian home no more makes a person a Christian than living in a garage makes a person a car. Sure the influence is there, but the choice is personal. In that sense God has no grandchildren. Mom and Dad’s faith does not count for me.

So as a younger person Carrie made all sorts of decisions. Some good and some bad. At another point in her life she decided to follow Jesus. It is a new beginning. It does not erase the consequences of her prior actions, but it does allow her to get on with life. However, the left, which cannot find grace for anyone who is not of their kind, immediately cries – hypocrisy. Well duh! Who is not a hypocrite? The only way not to be a hypocrite is to have standards so low that it is impossible not to keep them. So in other words, be as immoral as you can be. For this way of thinking sin is assuming that there is any level of prescribed standard of behavior. We are reaping the consequences daily.

Of course the tape is not what one would use as a role model, but your comment and many of the others on this board reflect a lack of understanding about what being a Christian is. Christianity requires more than a a birth certificate. It involves a personal decision and the faith can be accepted or rejected. Growing up in a Christian home no more makes a person a Christian than living in a garage makes a person a car. Sure the influence is there, but the choice is personal. In that sense God has no grandchildren. Mom and Dad’s faith does not count for me.

So as a younger person Carrie made all sorts of decisions. Some good and some bad. At another point in her life she decided to follow Jesus. It is a new beginning. It does not erase the consequences of her prior actions, but it does allow her to get on with life. However, the left, which cannot find grace for anyone who is not of their kind, immediately cries – hypocrisy. Well duh! Who is not a hypocrite? The only way not to be a hypocrite is to have standards so low that it is impossible not to keep them. So in other words, be as immoral as you can be. For this way of thinking sin is assuming that there is any level of prescribed standard of behavior. We are reaping the consequences daily.