As liberal churches began to permit same-sex relationships, take steps towards the ordination of gay clergy, and make approving noises concerning gay marriage, gay activists were able to send a loud message to a culture that was awaiting the Christian response.
They could effectively push to the fringe orthodox Christian denominations who held to 2,000 years of Christian teaching on sexuality, while declaring that the liberal denominations, (those who endorsed love in all its forms) were the true representatives of Christianity in the West.
That is why orthodox Christians who despise homophobia have found themselves consistently lumped in with the hatemongering Westboro Baptists--because the gay liberation movement has, through the careful cultivation of alliances with post-Christian churches, redefined for many in the culture at large what it means to be a Christian.
Adhering to orthodoxy is no longer important, they say. Not judging the actions of your neighbors, however, is paramount: Judge not, except when you are judging those you find judgmental.
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