This week World Vision, the para-church organization that fights hunger, announced that they ended their ban on hiring people in a same sex marriage. After considerable blow back from supporters and Christians, World Vision reversed its policy. Some supporters said that they would stop funding World Vision and end sponsorship of children in need. World Vision president Richard Stearns and board chairman Jim Bere wrote,
We have listened to you and want to say thank you and to humbly ask for your forgiveness.
People took to Twitter to express their frustration in this story. Here are a few that are notable:
So by the numbers: First-world people will only help third-world children if gays are second-class in Church and World. Got it. #WorldVision
— Rev. Jeremy Smith (@umjeremy) March 26, 2014
BREAKING NEWS: Christians disagree with one another, flip flop on their values, cause harm, embarrass themselves publicly. #worldvision
— Kris Marshall (@revkris) March 26, 2014
If there’s anything the #worldvision thing can offer it’s a reminder that as a body we are stuck with each other whether we like it or not.
— Karen Swallow Prior (@LoveLifeLitGod) March 26, 2014
It’s the older brother who questions motives in repentance. Don’t be like that. The father’s house rejoices, receives. #worldvision
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) March 26, 2014
I keep forgetting about the passage where Jesus deftly navigates who he’ll associate with & help based on their hiring policy. #WorldVision
— Jonnie Russell (@JBoRussell) March 26, 2014
I sponsor 3 Bolivian children through #WorldVision. If you know someone abandoning their child, send them 2 me. I’ll sponsor their child.
— Elizabeth Esther (@elizabethesther) March 25, 2014
These arguments would be simpler if only Jesus had said something like “Whatever you did for the least of these you did for me” #WorldVision
— Micah J. Murray (@micahjmurray) March 25, 2014
#Worldvision has determined that Christian morality is irrelevant when it comes to Christian charity. Charity trumps morality.
— Uriesou Brito (@uribrito) March 25, 2014
The #worldvision problem is a perfect example of why people outside the church thnk Christians are idiots.
— Pilar Rose Timpane (@pilartimpane) March 25, 2014
Hey #WorldVision – “It is far more important to be divided by truth than be united by error.” — John MacArthur #fb
— Dan Burrell (@DanBurrell) March 25, 2014
Popular author and blogger, Rachel Held Evans posted:
This whole situation has left me feeling frustrated, heartbroken, and lost. I don’t think I’ve ever been more angry at the Church, particularly the evangelical culture in which I was raised and with which I for so long identified. I confess I had not realized the true extent of the disdain evangelicals have for our LGBT people, nor had I expected World Vision to yield to that disdain by reversing its decision under pressure. Honestly, it feels like a betrayal from every side
What’s your reaction to World Vision’s decision?
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