Ray Boltz Enjoys “Normal Gay Life”

I was literally rendered momentarily speechless by the news that Ray Boltz is a homosexual.  I first read about it on my friend Jeff’s blog (read here) and then in an article on ChristianityToday.com (read here).  I didn’t see that one coming…at all!

According to the CT article, Boltz retired from Christian music several years ago, but from hearing churches all over the country belt out some of his music each week in choral anthems,  no one would know.  Famous for such songs as “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb”, “Thank You”, and “Behold the Lamb” (among many others), Boltz told his family in 2004 that he was gay, and divorced his wife early this year.

This is the creepy part–he is dating and enjoying the “normal gay life” now.  Ick.

I want to be all cool about it and say, “Hey, whatever, that doesn’t undermine all the great songs he’s written that praise God.”  I want to be cool like that, but honestly, I’m not.  I really think, “Omigosh!  Ray Boltz is gay!”  And if I heard his song played, I would probably turn to whoever and whisper, “Do you know that Ray Boltz is gay?”  It’s one of those things that boggles my mind and makes me ask questions.

The thing that really bothers me about the whole thing is that Ray Boltz isn’t fighting the temptations; he’s openly embracing the lifestyle.  Imagine the devestation his now ex-wife must have felt, and what about his children?  To grow up thinking your dad is straight and then–wham!–meet your dad’s new boyfriend!  I can’t imagine the heartache.

More cosmopolitan and more accepting people than me would probably say, “Why shouldn’t Boltz live his life embracing his homosexuality?  If his family really loved him, wouldn’t they be happy that he is now a ‘whole’ individual?”  I imagine his family loves him no matter what, but doing something that is explicitly against the Bible does not make a person “whole;” it does the very opposite.    Yes, I do believe that God loves homosexuals and that they can be Christians.  However, I do not believe that living an openly gay lifestyle is biblically acceptable–yes, if you are gay, you should repress your sexuality and give your urges over to God.  It’s not easy, fun, or simple.

Obviously, there’s going to be a backlash in evangelical circles, not that Boltz really cares as he is now attending one of the many colorful Metropolitan Community Churches (openly accepts the practices of gays, lesbians, transgender, bisexual & so on) throughout the United States.  In a few months, they may be one of the only denominations still singing “The Anchor Holds”.

Dumbledore Should’ve Come Out Sooner…

…because my blog stats went way up as soon as I blogged about Dumbledore’s sexual preference.

I guess I just need to write about what the people really want to read–that is, Harry Potter’s Albus Dumbledore.  The only problem is–that was so two days ago.  But, alas, I will give in to pressure!

The implications on the Harry Potter literature are few, if any.  Then again, there will be those readers scouring the pages of each and every book looking for signs of Dumbledore’s sexual preference.  Conversations between Harry and Dumbledore will be construed as some sort of pedophilia and naturally, there will be talk about a secret sexual relationship between Harry and Dumbledore.  Thanks for opening that can of worms, J.K.!

What started as an innocent story about a nerdy boy who discovers he’s a wizard has morphed into a world of mania–witch hunts by some, perverted sexual exploitation by others, and idol worship all around.  Where did the innocence of the plot go?  You know, the good guys still win in the end.  It’s not the book themselves that are the problem, but those surrounding the books.

Of course we’re all wondering why J.K. Rowling chose this time, almost three months after the final book was released to make this shocking revelation about Dumbledore.  Hmm…did the publishers do a demographic on how Harry Potter was received among gay readers and decide the books needed some homosexuality?  I’m gonna take a lesson from Harry’s gal pal, Hermione Granger, shake my head in disbelief, and say, “Honestly!”

At the end of the day, one really has to ask–what’s up with that?

So, apparently Dumbledore is gay…

Read the story here.

Wow. I, for one, am shocked. While it’s true that Dumbledore could be a bit flamboyant at times, I had no idea that one of the skeletons in his closet would actually be coming out of the closet.

According to Time Magazine (yes, friends, Time is actually reporting about this–must be a slow news day), Rowling outed Dumbledore during a Q&A with some young readers. One kid asked if Dumbledore finds “true love”, to which Rowling responded that Dumbledore was gay. Then the article says, “She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. ‘Falling in love can blind us to an extent,’ Rowling said of Dumbledore’s feelings, adding that Dumbledore was ‘horribly, terribly let down.’”

Rowling then added with a laugh, she can only imagine the fan fiction that will come out of this revelation. Good grief, the fanfic writers have been undoing Fred Weasley’s death since July and now there’s this? I mean, if Dumbledore’s homosexuality was really central to the plot of the Harry Potter books, doesn’t Rowling think that maybe she should have outed Dumbledore a bit sooner?

I can only imagine how conservative Christians are going to respond to this latest announcement from the Harry Potter camp. If Jerry Falwell were still with us, I’m sure he would have something to say about this matter.

What do I think about this whole thing? I refuse to accept the reality of Dumbledore’s homosexuality, just like I refuse to acknowledge that Fred Weasley’s dead. Fiction relies on the reader to believe it’s “truth”, right? Since these characters are imagined, I can substitute my reality, my plot, and my opinions into my reading. Each of us bring our experiences into fiction, right? Therefore, if I do not believe it, it can’t be truth. It is only fiction, right? That being said–long live, Fred Weasley!