This woman is no hero

A volunteer for Young Life Snohomish (a evangelical Christian ministry group) is stepping down as a volunteer after she was asked to remove a photo from her Facebook page. The photo in question showed rainbow-colored flowers in support of gay rights.

Her name is Pam Elliott. She was asked to remove the photo because leaders are discouraged from publicly expressing opinions about political and social issues, according to The Everett Herald.

Because people see Elliott as a representative of Young Life, her posting of the pride flowers was “unwise” and made for a “complicated” situation, said Terry Swenson, a spokesman for Young Life.

Elliott decided to leave the organization after more closely examining Young Life’s policies regarding homosexuality.

So now, naturally, she wants to be seen as a hero &#8212 standing up for what’s right and bringing attention to this policy.

But Elliot is not a hero. While I support the same gay rights she does, she’s with an evangelical Christian ministry group and she’s shocked they hold a different view on homosexuality than she does.

Really?

Young Life staff and volunteers are only to engage in sexual activity within a heterosexual marriage. Anything else is considered sexual misconduct, according to the group’s policy.

“When I read it, I was disgusted,” Elliott told the Herald. “Basically, it says homosexuality is not part of God’s creation plan.”

Again, this shocks you? Why? Is this somehow a surprise to you?

They hold a different viewpoint than you and that is their right. It’s not an illegal viewpoint or position to take, it’s just one you, myself, and maybe some of you disagree with. But you’re not a hero for leaving a group you disagree with &#8212 you’re just doing what you think is right.

She says she’s trying to raise awareness about this.

“I love Young Life,” Elliott said. “But I want this policy to be day-lighted.”

To what end? To get them to change their deeply held religious belief? This isn’t a group that is actively political &#8212 they’re not looking for any policy changes. They get to believe in something you don’t believe in.