By Ryan “Dickie” Thompson – The Punk Rock Libertarian
In 2011, an article titled “I’m Christian Unless You’re Gay” by blogger Dan Pearce, better known as “Single Dad Laughing,” struck a chord across social and religious communities. The piece went viral—lauded as a heartfelt call to Christians to reevaluate their treatment of LGBTQ individuals. But like most viral sentiments, it packaged a truth inside a warm emotional shell and left the hard questions untouched.
I responded with a YouTube video, which you can still watch here, offering my thoughts as a punk rock libertarian, a Christian, and someone who believes in both tolerance and truth. The original article has since been removed from Pearce’s blog, but thankfully, it's been preserved by the Internet Archive—a digital monument to intellectual history and free discourse. You can still read the post here.
This is a perfect example of why we must support the Internet Archive. Cultural memory matters—especially in an era where controversial content quietly disappears when it no longer serves the narrative.
The Pearce Piece: A Plea for Kindness… with Strings Attached
Pearce’s central point is a valid one: too many people who call themselves Christians treat gay individuals with disdain, contempt, or fake kindness. As someone who’s lived in Mormon culture and witnessed plenty of pious backstabbing, I get it. I've called that hypocrisy out for years. It's gross.
But where Pearce loses me—and where I felt compelled to speak up—is when he uses that hypocrisy to reshape what Christianity actually teaches. He goes beyond “we should be kinder” and veers into “if you disagree with homosexuality, you're not a real Christian.”
That's dishonest. And more than that—it's manipulative.
Christ Was Not a Doormat
Let’s be clear: Jesus Christ taught love, mercy, and redemption. But He was not some feel-good hippie high on forgiveness who let anything slide in the name of inclusion.
- In Matthew 16:23, Jesus tells Peter: “Get behind me, Satan.”
- In Matthew 21:12, He drives out the money changers with a whip.
- In Matthew 23:33, He calls the Pharisees “You snakes, you brood of vipers.”
Pearce writes as though Christ never judged anyone. That’s simply false. Christ judged many people—mostly religious elites and hypocrites. He never shied away from calling out sin, especially when it was clothed in self-righteousness. So to say, “If you’re Christian, you have to affirm gay relationships” misrepresents Scripture and patronizes Christians who take the Bible seriously.
Everyone’s Tolerant—Until They’re Not
Pearce suggests that the world would be better if we were simply more tolerant. But here’s the truth: everyone is intolerant of something. Tolerance has boundaries. Even the most open-minded person has lines they won’t cross.
That’s not a flaw. It’s human nature. It’s how society functions.
We don’t tolerate murder, theft, or abuse. We make judgment calls every day—about character, danger, trustworthiness, health, and values.
When I lived on Capitol Hill in Seattle—a neighborhood that’s predominantly LGBTQ—I saw a kind of reverse intolerance that rarely gets talked about. I saw tattoos that said “No Breeders”, referring to heterosexuals. I knew gay folks who mocked straight couples as selfish for having children. That’s not just intolerance—it’s tribalism, and it cuts both ways.
Just because you’ve been mistreated doesn’t mean you’re incapable of mistreating others once you’re in power. That’s a lesson Christians and LGBTQ activists alike need to understand.
Real Love vs. Emotional Blackmail
The kind of “love” Pearce is advocating for isn’t love—it’s emotional blackmail. If you don’t agree with someone’s life choices, you’re accused of hate. If you stand on Scripture, you're labeled a bigot.
That’s not love. Love says, “I care about you even if I disagree.” That kind of love is harder. It doesn't win likes or clicks. But it’s honest. And it’s the only kind of love that leads to actual peace.
Ironically, Pearce’s blog post—which was designed to create understanding—shut down conversation by demanding conformity. Agree with him, or you’re not a real Christian. That’s not unity. That’s ideological conformity.
I Support Gay Rights—Because I'm Libertarian
Let me be absolutely clear: I support gay marriage. Not because I affirm the lifestyle, but because I believe in freedom. The government has no business telling people who they can or can’t marry. I supported Ron Paul for this reason—he consistently defended personal liberty across the board.
I also believe Mormons should be able to practice polygamy if it’s between consenting adults. If you’re not hurting children or violating others’ rights, government should stay out of it.
Liberty doesn’t mean celebrating everything. It means choosing your own path, and letting others choose theirs. As long as you respect others’ rights, your personal life isn’t my business—and mine isn’t yours.
Mob Mentality Is the Real Danger
The danger isn’t Christian hypocrisy or gay pride—it’s mob mentality. It’s the herd psychology that leads any group, once it becomes a majority, to marginalize others. I saw it in Mormonism. I saw it in LGBTQ communities. I saw it in politics. And I see it today in cancel culture.
Pearce complains about Christians forming a “mob” against gay people. But what about LGBTQ activists who call for people to be fired, banned, or censored for holding traditional views on marriage? What about the social mob that attacks anyone who won’t post a rainbow emoji in June?
That’s not justice. That’s just a different uniform for the same army.
When You Talk About Christ, Be Honest
If you want to reach Christians, don’t insult them by misrepresenting Christ. Don’t paint Him as someone He wasn’t. That’s not persuasive—it’s offensive.
You’re not going to convert someone by telling them the Son of God was a pacifist doormat. You’ll just make them tune you out. Instead, talk about Christ as He was: a radical teacher of truth, who confronted the powerful, defended the vulnerable, and took sin seriously.
Final Thoughts: I Support Dialogue, Not Dogma
Dan Pearce made good points. But he wrapped them in a message that demands one-sided tolerance. That’s not a road to peace—it’s a road to quiet resentment and deeper division.
I made my video because I want honest dialogue. I want to talk about uncomfortable things. I want to challenge my own biases and yours. I’ve marched in pride parades. I’ve opposed Proposition 8. I’ve spoken out in favor of gay marriage and personal liberty. But I won’t stand by while Jesus gets twisted into a mascot for whatever cultural movement is trending.
References:
- Dan Pearce, I'm Christian Unless You're Gay (Archived) – Internet Archive
- Ryan Thompson, YouTube Video Response (2011) – YouTube
- Matthew 16:23 – “Get behind me, Satan!”
- Matthew 21:12 – Jesus cleanses the temple
- Matthew 23:33 – “You snakes, you brood of vipers”
- Ron Paul, stance on marriage freedom – [Campaign archives, RonPaul.com]
- CDC: HIV Surveillance Report (2020) – [cdc.gov]
- Pew Research Center: Religious tolerance and views on homosexuality – [pewresearch.org]
- Disruptarian.com archives – Ryan Thompson's writings and commentary
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