A “lightening rod” is an idiom for someone or some issue that is a frequent target of negative reactions. This year’s lightening rod issue in the campaign of Republican candidates trying to get their Party’s nomination is same-sex marriage.
As a now-senior member of society, I can assure you that 20 years ago no one could have imagined a campaign for the office of the Presidency of the United States would include a debate over gay marriage. A budding issue in 2008, it has come to full bloom.
One of the circumstances that brought it to this point of significance is the recent legalization of gay marriage in NY State. But another incident is even more pointed. Marcus Bachmann, husband of presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann (herself, a lightening rod), is accused of offering reparative therapy (to those who want help changing their same-sex orientation) in his clinic. I use the pejorative word “accuse” because reparative therapy is prohibited by the American Psychological Association, making it even more of a “lightening rod” issue.
But it begs the question: “can people change?” Our answer to that holds the full confidence of Paul’s words: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away, and all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). To use a phrase from the 2008 campaign, that is "change you can believe in!" Wouldn’t it be something if Michelle Bachman were to use that in her next debate? Talk about a lightening rod!
No comments:
Post a Comment