HGTV is a popular network for home improvement shows – one that has caused a lot of trouble in my home. My wife does not appreciate all of the projects I have undertaken after being inspired by them.
They are also a network committed to celebrating “tolerance and diversity” on matters of gender and sexual orientation. They make sure that the “regular people” who appear on their shows are homosexual in a proportion that far outpaces the population average. They canceled one show before it even began because the twin brothers, both evangelical Christians, had made statements in line with Christian doctrine about sexuality.
Just this week, a “scandal” has arisen about Chip and Joanna Gaines, the bubbly believers who star in the HGTV show Fixer Upper – one of the network’s biggest hits. A story by Kate Aurthur on Buzzfeed has uncovered the deep dark truth that the church with the Gaines attend is, in fact, a church. They believe the Bible and hold to the truth that the church has held to for thousands of years – that homosexuality is sinful behavior. Gasp!
Christians are upset and a little paranoid. We are used to being “persecuted” for our faith by the intolerant left. There is a new McCarthyism on the rise, thought-police who seek to punish any who diverge from the group-think orthodoxy. Those who believe what Christians have always believed must be ostracized, shamed, and held up to public ridicule.
Chip and Joanna have said nothing offensive, but they are associated with a church that holds to doctrines that do not conform to the approved views of the intolerant left and they must be punished – and that punishment must be severe.
So, what are we to do as Christians? How do we respond when things like this happen?
1. We must make sure we have gotten the facts right. I know people get tired of hearing this, but we have simply got to stop passing on lies on social media, or even exaggerated truths. It’s sinful and wrong. And it plays into the world’s caricatures of Christians as dumb and unreasonable. Before you go on a rant, make sure your facts are right. For instance, the facts are that at this time, HGTV has taken no action against Fixer Upper or against Chip and Joanna Gaines. There’s been no persecution, just an intolerant article.
By the way, we all get it wrong sometimes. Just admit it, correct it, apologize for it, and move on. But do your best!
2. We must respond with measured, reasoned words. When you name-call or flame the opposition it solves nothing. That is always a fine line. I said some strong things about the intolerant left up above and some might say I was flaming them. In my mind, though, I was observing what I have seen and describing it in measured and reasonable terms. We have to avoid going berzerk, assigning negative motives, calling people horrible names.
3. Take a positive step. If you are upset about something, do something about it – and complaining on social media is NOT a positive step. We live in a world of faux activism where people think they’ve taken real step to battle ALS by pouring ice water on the their heads and believe they are social justice warriors if they flood social media with angry rants.
There is a better way. How about a well-written letter to HGTV expressing your appreciation for Chip and Joanna? I did a little research and here is their corporate office address and phone number.
HGTV Corporate Office Headquarters
500 W Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37902
Corporate Phone Number: 1-865-546-3251
If you contact them, be cordial and positive. Don’t talk about how homosexuals deserve hell and the church is right to stand against them. That is counter-productive. Tell them that you love the show and respect the Gaineses. Tell them that the concept of tolerance ought to extend to a wide range of beliefs and that there should be no sanction against Chip and Joanna because they share the sincere religious beliefs that millions of Christians have held through the years.
A well-written letter that states the facts in a positive way is going to accomplish much more than a fire-breathing letter that levels insults and makes threats.
4. Realize, this is the world we live in. Read John 14-16. Jesus promised us that if the world hated him it would hate us. It ought to be no surprise that non-believers reject us and hate us and present us in false light. They did that to Jesus and they will do it to us. It is a reality of following Jesus.
The key is to act like Jesus!
Now, I’ve got to go finish some of those projects I started.
HGTV has responded. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hgtv-chip-joanna-gaines-anti-gay-church_us_58405c72e4b09e21702d3745
Be sure to click over to the Wa Po piece by a guy about to get married to a guy, referenced in this article in the tweets highlighted.
Not much of a response.
Their pastor responds.
http://www.toddstarnes.com/column/exclusive-chip-joanna-gaines-pastor-responds-to-buzzfeeds-public-shaming
Thanks Dave. This comes across just the way I like my chicken wings: Medium…not too mild and not too flaming hot.
I listened to an interview with the Benham Brothers on AFR today. They said HGTV execs had tears in their eyes when they fired the brothers; they liked the Benhams and did not want to do it.
The LGBT advocates are like the mafia; they strong arm and intimidate those who do not embrace their agenda.
http://bit.ly/2ge92GN
Prophetic revelation can be as simple as reading the Bible aloud. I am sympathetic to those that reject God’s Word precisely because I have done the same thing.
But the Gospel is clear that sin is missing the mark and failing to experience abundant life that God intended for each of us to enjoy. But God has a plan for us to be reconciled to him and become disciples of Jesus Christ so that through faith we can be recipients of his imputed righteousness and joint heirs of all of the riches and glory that he alone deserves.
It very simply requires treating sin the way the Father requires confessing, repenting, seeking forgiveness and requesting cleansing. The hardest and easiest four things in the world for a hater of God to do. I know because I through faith came to realize that before I was born Christ died for me. And while I hated him he loved me and poured Himself out for me.
My specific sin requires a payment I could not pay. But he could and did. Hallelujah.
This is NOT a religious show. It is a show to learn carpentry and decorating. Leave it alone !
What I get from watching this show is amazing home makeovers by a fun and friendly couple with a loving home with adorable, respectful children and a farm full of pets. I love this show and how they make their clients so happy. We need more feel-good shows like this and HGTV should not allow themselves to be bullied by anyone who would take wonderful shows like this and others on this network off the air. If this is allowed to happen just because of Christianity then every commercial advertiser should be boycotted for life !
I too love the show
I think they have done a house makeover for a homosexual couple.
I appreciate your comment about getting the facts right. I too was upset when I heard about this article but I believe we Christians should not do anything to fan the flames unless we know there is going to be action taken against the Gaines.
Those of you my age can remember as I do the many, many years that the completely made up rumor about Madalyn Murry O’Hair being behind a bill to ban religious broadcasting. I can’t tell you how many churches I was in that had petitions about this, Christians were made to look foolish by those who noted that many churches evidently never heard that this was false or bothered to check it out.
I hear she is working to remove all Christian broadcasting.
I’ll send you a petition Dave. We.ve got to get to work on this. Rumors of her death are greatly exaggerated.