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“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29)

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The Story: The firing of an executive at CrossFit reveals how bigotry toward orthodox Christians is becoming more open and accepted.

The Background: According to Buzzfeed News, a high-ranking executive at the fitness company CrossFit was fired after tweeting his support for a CrossFit gym’s cancellation of a pride event, citing his belief that celebrating “LGBT pride” is a “sin.”

Coaches at CrossFit Infiltrate in Indianapolis planned a special workout in support of Indy Pride, WTTV News reports. In an email sent to members by gym management, they explained the event was canceled because “the owners of the gym value health and wellness, and they believe that this event does not.” After a large contingent of coaches, staff, and members left, the gym was forced to shut down.

In response, Russell Berger, chief knowledge officer for CrossFit, wrote on Twitter: “As someone who personally believes celebrating ‘pride’ is a sin, I’d like to personally encourage #CrossFitInfiltrate for standing by their convictions and refusing to host an @indypride workout. The intolerance of the LGBTQ ideology toward any alternative views is mind-blowing.” Berger is a also a CrossFit trainer and a pastor at a local church in Huntsville, Alabama….

CrossFit is a diverse community in every way, and that’s what makes us strong. No matter who you are, how you’re built, what you believe, or who or how you love—we are proud of you.

The statements made today by Russell Berger do not reflect the views of CrossFit Inc. For this reason, his employment with CrossFit has been terminated….

What It Means: In reaction to this news story, many people on social media claimed there is an inconsistency in CrossFit claiming they are “proud” of people “no matter who you are” or “what you believe” and the bigoted statement made by the company’s CEO, Greg Glassman. But, when properly understood, CrossFit’s position is not at all inconsistent.

When individuals or corporations claim to tolerate all people or beliefs, they are merely referring to tolerable beliefs. Every society and culture eventually decides what beliefs cannot be tolerated and which are “beyond the pale,” that is, outside the agreed standards of decency….

Despite Glassman’s willingness to openly express his disgust for Christian “zealots,” CrossFit has to tread lightly. CrossFit is not just a product, it’s a community. Some within that community, of course, hold views (such as that celebrating “pride” is a sin) that would put them beyond the pale….

When Christian artists were told they must use their talents to celebrate same-sex marriage, many of their fellow believers agreed they should be forced to “bake the cake.” The absurd justification was that using one’s gifts for a commissioned work of art was not an “endorsement” of the message that same-sex marriage was good and normal—even though that was the reason LGBT activists sought to compel the artistic speech in the first place. Initially, though, as long as we were willing to bow before the god of sexual identity, the activists didn’t seem to care how we rationalized our submission….

The problem for Christians is that we take our name from the God-man who had the “effrontery to propose that this or that is normative for others.” Jesus was clear about both the standard of marriage being between a man and a woman and his abhorrence of sexual immorality (Matt. 19:4-12)….

How will we respond when they ask, “Aren’t you a follower of that bigot Jesus?” Will we have the boldness to acknowledge him before others (Matthew 10:32), or will we say, “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m just here for the workout.” (Excerpts from the Joe Carter article on TheGospelCoalition.org.)