FOLLOWING the announcement that NBA star Jason Collins had come out as a homosexual, ESPN commentator Chris Broussard declared on national television today that homosexuality is a sin against God, and that a person who willingly lives an unrepentant lifestyle cannot call themselves a Christian.
“I’m a Christian,” he began as he spoke on Outside the Lines along with LZ Granderson, an avowed homosexual. “I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin. I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is [sin] and LZ knows that.”
“Personally, I don’t think you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle, or [engage in] premarital sex between heterosexuals [as a Christian],” Broussard continued. “If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you will know them by their fruits. It says that it’s a sin, and if you’re living in unrepentant sin — whatever it may be, not just homosexuality — adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God.”
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He then stated that a person willingly living in sin cannot be classified as a part of the Body of Christ.
“I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don’t think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian,” Broussard said.
Granderson disagreed, stating that people interpret the Bible differently.
“My response is that faith, just like love, just like marriage, is personal,” Granderson commented, “And if you try to use a broad brush to paint everyone’s faith, what you really are painting is a world that’s comfortable for you and not a world in which in this country we’re allowed varying forms of religion.”
“And just because someone doesn’t agree with one person’s interpretation of the Bible vs. another, doesn’t mean that they have exclusive rights to dictate how that person should live,” he continued. “I would love not to have premarital sex, but in this country, I’m not allowed to get married.”
Broussard said that there are number of Christians in the NBA just like him, and they do not like to be called “bigots” or “ignorant” simply because they choose to follow the Creator’s design, nor do they call anyone else names even though they disagree with their lifestyle.
Jason Collins, center for the Washington Wizards, had announced his homosexuality today in the form of an article published in Sports Illustrated.
“I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay,” he wrote in the lengthy personal piece. “I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I’m happy to start the conversation.”
“I’m from a close-knit family,” Collins continued. “My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding.”
Broussard is now under fire from those who resent his comments. ESPN has so far declined to speak on the commentator’s remarks.
