I went to Liberty University, I am a Christian, I am a Doctor Who Fan and I am NOT ASHAMED

As many people know I am a huge Doctor Who fan. I have been since the ‘80s. When Peter Capaldi was the doctor, I quit watching because there was a blatant exhibit of homosexuality in the show—which by the way was a children’s show when it first came out.

Over the years, I have spoken about the topics that are way to “OUT THERE” for Doctor Who. Well today, several of the LGBTQA+ members of the fandom started bashing those of us who don’t think that Doctor Who should have a political agenda. I mean, it’s a TV SHOW for the family.

One comment came back today that said “Doctor Who has always been progressive, did the Rosa episode bother you, since you went to Liberty University, and have a Jerry Falwell Mindset?”

First off, I take a lot of flack for attending Liberty University. I shouldn’t take the amount of bullying, the disregard for my education and hate that I get for being a Christian, and attending a Christian University. When I asked the guy what he meant? He said “Oh, ya know it’s a mail order college, and I have a JD from a real college.” I replied “Good, so maybe you need to actually grow up instead of trying to insult someone who can't be insulted. Yes, I am a Christian, but that doesn't mean that I hate anyone or disregard their lifestyle choices. I have no problem saying that I went to LIBERTY UNIVERSITY and that I AM A CHRISTIAN. I live in the USA where I am free to make that choice. However, it will surprise you that I didn't vote for TRUMP, I joined the class and Alumni that literally went before JERRY FALWELL, JR and told him we didn't agree with his stance on Trump. Also I have black cousins whom I love dearly, and lots of gay friends many of whom also went to Liberty. So what is your point? You don't have one and that is completely fine. Glad that you got to go to college...too bad you have to make this about politics when it wasn't to begin with.”

We have lost the art of conversing with people; Social media has killed our ability to actually talk with one another. We say things online because we know if we said it to someone’s face we’d probably be missing some teeth. I think it would have been far more beneficial for this person to just get to know me instead of trying to insult me.

Right now, there is so much them vs. us in this country that it really makes me ashamed of being an American and I never thought I would say such a thing. Sadly, I don’t know how we can get back to being just Americans.

Friends, I am not ashamed that I went to Liberty University, I am not ashamed that I went to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and I am not ashamed that I am a Christian. What I am ashamed of is the fact that we no longer care enough about people to talk with them, and we speak at them or about them. The Jewish people have the teaching of LaShon Ha-Ra. It’s best described as this—The power of speech and of the harm that can be done through speech. The rabbis note that the universe itself was created through speech. Of the 43 sins enumerated in the Al Cheit confession recited on Yom Kippur, 11 are sins committed through speech. The Talmud tells that the tongue is an instrument so dangerous that it must be kept hidden from view, behind two protective walls (the mouth and teeth) to prevent its misuse.
The harm done by speech is even worse than the harm done by stealing or by cheating someone financially: money lost can be repaid, but the harm done by speech can never be repaired. For this reason, some sources indicate that there is no forgiveness for lashon ha-ra (disparaging speech). This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the seriousness of improper speech.
A Chasidic tale vividly illustrates the danger of improper speech: A man went about the community telling malicious lies about the rabbi. Later, he realized the wrong he had done, and began to feel remorse. He went to the rabbi and begged his forgiveness, saying he would do anything he could to make amends. The rabbi told the man, "Take a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the winds." The man thought this was a strange request, but it was a simple enough task, and he did it gladly. When he returned to tell the rabbi that he had done it, the rabbi said, "Now, go and gather the feathers. Because you can no more make amends for the damage your words have done than you can recollect the feathers.” Speech has been compared to an arrow: once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray.
The Bible teaches: 

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29) 

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14) 

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” (James 1:19)

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:2-10)

While tonight, I am getting ready to lay down, and I am getting ready to do my prayers, trust me, even John H., the young man from UMASS-Amherst will be in my prayers—because if peace is going to come back to our nation, and we are going to learn to converse once more, please Lord, let it begin with me.