Christian New York Mets player Daniel Murphy said in a recent interview that while he does not agree with the gay lifestyle, he would accept a gay teammate.
Christian Today reports the interview followed a visit with Billy Bean the MLB ambassador for inclusion and open homosexual.
In the interview with NJ.com, Murphy said, "I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual. That doesn't mean I can't still invest in him and get to know him. I don't think the fact that someone is a homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect. Getting to know him. That, I would say, you can still accept them but I do disagree with the lifestyle, 100 per cent."
Murphy also said that Christians have not articulated their stance on homosexuality with enough clarity.
"We love the people. We disagree with the lifestyle," he said.
"It's the same way that there are aspects of my life that I'm trying to surrender to Christ in my own life. There's a great deal of many things, like my pride. I just think that as a believer trying to articulate it in a way that says just because I disagree with the lifestyle doesn't mean I'm just never going to speak to Billy Bean every time he walks through the door. That's not love. That's not love at all."
Bean responded positively to Murphy’s comments in a blog post.
"I appreciate that Daniel spoke his truth. I really do,” Bean wrote. “He was brave to share his feelings, and it made me want to work harder and be a better example that someday might allow him to view things from my perspective, if only for just a moment.”
"I respect him, and I want everyone to know that he was respectful of me. We have baseball in common, and for now, that might be the only thing. But it's a start."
Publication date: March 6, 2015