by Steve Deace  www.stevedeace.com

If what Chris Broussard said on ESPN yesterday amounts to hate speech, then the day will soon arrive when preaching the Bible publicly is no longer free speech.

Since the economy is in tatters and they still want to ignore Benghazi and Kermit Gosnell, the Leftist media in this country needs something else to discuss. So apparently yet another pro-athlete admitting he’d like to have sex with anybody other than his wife (and who’s only averaged more than two points per game twice in the last 11 seasons) provides a welcome distraction.

Many of you know I’m a huge sports fan, and used to do sports talk radio. I have rooted for scores of athletes and other talented people in other venues despite my disagreement with their morals and/or beliefs. Why? Because we’re all created in the image of God and given gifts for His glory, and Lord knows I’m not perfect either. When someone uses those gifts to His glory I am happy to recognize that even if we don’t agree that’s the purpose of their gifts, let alone all of human existence. I’m happy to find common ground (their talent and my admiration for it) provided they don’t try to force their views on me, or get me to endorse things my conscience and God says are wrong. That’s tolerance.

And that’s exactly what ESPN’s Chris Broussard said on the air yesterday in reaction to Jason Collins becoming the first active NBA player to publicly admit he likes having sex with other guys.

Broussard, discussing the issue with an openly homosexual reporter named L.Z. Granderson, with whom he has a long-standing friendly relationship, said the following:

The climate in society is very set for this thing to happen …. A lot of people feel like if you come out and say you don’t agree with homosexuality, you are viewed as a bigot, you are viewed as intolerant. So I think the climate is right for somebody to come out and say they are gay. I’ve been texting with players, GMs, coaches, agents throughout the day … and it’s been overwhelmingly supportive of Jason, from former teammates to guys who have played against him. I don’t think you’ll see somebody come out and be against this, whether because of their true feelings or because of political correctness.

I’m a Christian. I don’t agree with homosexuality. I think it’s a sin, as I think all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is. L.Z. [Granderson] knows that. He and I have played on basketball teams together for several years. We’ve gone out, had lunch together, we’ve had good conversations, good laughs together. He knows where I stand and I know where he stands. I don’t criticize him, he doesn’t criticize me, and call me a bigot, call me ignorant, call me intolerant.

In talking to some people around the league, there’s a lot Christians in the NBA and just because they disagree with that lifestyle, they don’t want to be called bigoted and intolerant and things like that. That’s what LZ was getting at. Just like I may tolerate someone whose lifestyle I disagree with, he can tolerate my beliefs. He disagrees with my beliefs and my lifestyle but true tolerance and acceptance is being able to handle that as mature adults and not criticize each other and call each other names…Personally, I don’t believe that you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle or an openly premarital sex between heterosexuals, if you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you know them by their fruits, it says that’s a sin.

If you’re openly 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 and to Jesus Christ. I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I do not think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.

What Broussard said there is about the most perfect mixture of grace and truth I’ve ever heard from a media member on this hot-button debate. And of course it prompted an apology from ESPN, which essentially apologized for having a Christian on the air.  This is the same ESPN I wrote about for USA Today last August, when it was allowing its hosts to openly discuss the sincerity of Tim Tebow’s virginity on the air, while also mocking it and guessing which woman would be his first sexual conquest. I pointed out then that if Tebow were homosexual ESPN wouldn’t allow such banter, and their hypocritical reaction to Broussard’s opinion proves I’m right.

And there are more examples of the Left’s version of “tolerance.”

Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports wrote, “The last thing [gay youths] need is to see someone like Chris Broussard, who ESPN (and by extension, the NBA) trusts as both its voice both at games and in-studio, to be referring to them as sinners who are in ‘open rebellion to God.’” Translation: the Word of God is not free speech.

Deadspin (which openly promotes pornography on its website) said that it was “unclear why [Broussard’s opinion was] necessary or even relevant at this hour.” Translation: if you’re a Christian you’re not allowed to have a public opinion while we’re practicing our diversity. How come every time I turn onto “Tolerance Blvd.” it’s a one way street?

Buzzfeed’s Kate Arthur ripped ESPN: “So no apology from Broussard…. ESPN got itself into this ridiculous, impossible situation here by relying on one of its employee’s religious beliefs to inform a discussion about the huge Collins news…. What I would like to know, therefore, is why they put Broussard on the air to discuss his personal feelings about Collins, homosexuality, and Christianity, rather than his area of professional expertise — basketball — in the first place.” Arthur went on a rampage, calling Broussard “punitive, unforgiving,” and lamenting that “Collins’ beautiful announcement” had been tarnished by ESPN’s “outdated, homophobic pit of its own making.” Translation: if you say what I believe you can say whatever you want, if you don’t your free speech can be infringed upon.

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports tweeted “so I gather the world just got a little more skeptical of Chris Broussard’s sources.” Translation: if you believe the Bible you’re not to be trusted to be a professional.

These are just a few of the many angry opinions shared by those who make their living off of the First Amendment. Notice whose spewing bile and venom. Notice whose tone is harsh and over-the-top. Notice whose doing the name calling. What they’re really saying is if you’re a Christian you shouldn’t be allowed a place in the public debate. In other words, you should be censored and robbed of your God-given right to free speech guaranteed in the Constitution. Or, as St. Paul would say, in their unrighteousness they seek to “suppress the truth.”

Broussard later said the following in reaction to the firestorm via Twitter:

As part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.

Even under fire Broussard’s follow up statement is again full of both grace and truth, and he rightfully offers no apology for what he believes and knows to be ultimate truth. I would only quibble with one thing he left out – Chris is the one who really showed bravery yesterday.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Jesus Christ, Matthew 5:11

Copyright © 2012, Steve Deace, All Rights Reserved.