Yesterday, One Iowa held a very successful rally in downtown Des Moines. I was proud to see many people of faith there to support Marriage Equality. I spent the event walking around, meeting new people and handing out cards with Faithful Voices information on it. I was feeling energized and positive and full of hope.
Then, just as I was leaving, a young woman approached me, my card in her hand, and asked me what “this Interfaith thing” was all about. I explained the mission of Interfaith Alliance and the work that Faithful Voices does. She responded with “but doesn’t the Bible say that homosexuality is an abomination?”
Oh. Boy.
Now, despite my positive feelings about the event, I have to admit that I was also burning up from the heat, badly in need of some H2O and really wanting to get home so I could call my husband and talk about our days (for those of you who don’t know, my husband has been living in Colorado since April). What I didn’t want to do was get into a theological discussion with a girl who had obviously had quite a bit of training in Evangelical debate. But it’s my job. It’s what I encourage you and all the other people involved with Faithful Voices to do every day. Share your story. Share your faith. Share why YOU support Marriage Equality. I should be pretty good at it, right?
Well, as yesterday proved, not always.
I just couldn’t seem to gather my thoughts together. I could feel myself getting frustrated and restless and just plain angry. I wanted so much to practice civility in the conversation...but I wanted almost equally to just shake her and shout “why can’t you understand!?!”
“Isn’t there only ONE Truth though?” (Seriously, lady, there’s sweat dripping down my legs)
“What about Sodom and Gomorrah?” (I just want to talk to my husband, is that so hard?)
“But shouldn’t the people get to vote on that?” (Gah!)
Luckily, we were interrupted by some clip-boarders and it gave me a few moments to gather myself. After they left I turned to her and said “Listen, I have to go, but I encourage you to look at the resources on our website. The point is there are different faith perspectives on this issue and that’s why our constitution protects religious freedom and civil rights.” She said thank you, handed me a pamphlet and I walked away. As I looked down I saw written on the front:
“IF YOU DIED TODAY, WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN? ARE YOU SURE???”
Sigh.
So...did I run away? Yes. Did I fail miserably at having a meaningful conversation with someone on the “other side” of this issue? Pretty Much. Does it mean I should give up? Stop trying? Avoid people who disagree with me at all costs?
Nope.
It means that even those of us who do “relational organizing” for a living mess up. And let our emotions take over a little. And get distracted from talking points. And get out done.
It means that I need to keep working, and talking and trying.
Have you ever had moments like that? Did you get right back on the horse? How do you stay encouraged when you feel like you didn’t do your best?
