How do we stop being judgemental whilst preserving definite moral convictions?
We talk about ‘loving the sinner and hating the sin’. Our definition of loving the sinner needs to be unwrapped, because loving the sinner means understanding him or her; it means appreciating the value of that person being made in the image of God, and seeing the value that person has to God. This will often mean affirming the rights and choices which that person has. In terms of homosexuality, Christians need to stand against prejudice, and stand for positive rights. Seeking to love and understand a person must come through communication. I have seen this happen with those caring for AIDS sufferers. Discovering homosexuals as people rather than as sinners has enabled the Christian carers to like and love them and receive back love from them. Sometimes the quality of relationship which they are finding with these victims has forced them to rethink their theology, which concerns me a bit! But there is a positive side to that, which is the means this gives to help them love the sinner.
