Wearing Rainbows

[Klavier]

Hello there, I just have a question... and it probably sounds ridiculous.

Some people at my youth group no longer wear anything rainbow (wristbands, shoelaces etc.) because they claim it;s advocating gay pride.

However, all I can see rainbows as are a sign of innocence and child-like nature!

What would you do in this situation? I don't want to be looked down upon simply for wearing a design I love.

Thank you for taking the time to read this

 

[HeyHomie]

The rainbow has been incorporated as a sign of gay pride. However, for millenia before that the rainbow was just that - a rainbow; a beautiful sign of God's awesome power.

It's a tough call. One hundred years ago no one would have looked twice at you wearing a swastika, since it was nothing more than a symbol, but nowadays... *shudder*

I'd say you have to choose between proudly wearing the rainbow and blowing off accusations that it's a gay pride symbol, or NOT wearing it because it REALLY IS a gay pride symbol.

 

[Nadiine]

The rainbow has been incorporated as a sign of gay pride. However, for millenia before that the rainbow was just that - a rainbow; a beautiful sign of God's awesome power.

It's a tough call. One hundred years ago no one would have looked twice at you wearing a swastika, since it was nothing more than a symbol, but nowadays... *shudder*

I'd say you have to choose between proudly wearing the rainbow and blowing off accusations that it's a gay pride symbol, or NOT wearing it because it REALLY IS a gay pride symbol.

Well even the word 'gay' was taken over to mean homosexual when it originally meant "happy". We've submitted to that change.

If gays have taken over a symbol, then you need to be aware that when strangers do see you, they will probly think you support homosexuality or are gay yourself.
That's just the basic truth.
Unless you want to wear a tshirt that says "I'm not gay" lol or "my rainbow is God's creation"

That's what others may think, so it's up to you & what's more important. (for me, I'd skip wearing it so as not to give indirect support of any kind).

 

[Sketcher]

Well, the gays hijacked it. What can you do, really. Christians (and Jews too) should take back the rainbow somehow. I'm not sure how.

 

[Cris413]

I find it interesting that Gay Pride has taken the rainbow as their symbol.

From Wikipedia<snip> The use of rainbow flags has a long tradition; they are displayed in many cultures around the world as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness, of hope and of yearning. This denotation goes back to the rainbow as a symbol of biblical promise when God gave the sign to Noah that there would never be a flood like the one that happened then ever again. The use of all the colors of the rainbow symbolizes all flags of gay people.

As Christians we see the rainbow as what God tell us it is:

Genesis 9:11-15 “Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

14 “It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud;

15 “and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the water shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

The rainbow is a symbol of God’s covenant. A divine promise. Pretty important stuff to me.

“Rainbow” also appears in Revelation 4:3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald

Revelation 10:1 I saw still another mighty angel coming down for heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

When I see someone wearing rainbow shoelaces or a rainbow T-shirt and such I do not immediately assume they’re gay or support gay pride.

When I see a rainbow triangle or flag bumper sticker or a lapel pin or button…then yes…I assume they support gay pride.

I agree with Twistedsketch…God’s symbol has been highjacked but that does not diminish it as God’s symbol and I too would like to see it proclaimed for the purpose God intended.

Who knows.. wearing a rainbow might lead to the opportunity to witness what the symbol truly means…a covenant of God.

God bless

 

[tulc]

I'd say wear it if you like it.
tulc(see where it leads you!)

 

[KOTTMatt]

Yeah I don't know why gay people stole God's rainbow and use it as their symbol but I think God wants His rainbow back. I haven't seen a rainbow in the sky in a long, long time.

 

[tulc]

Been here?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_flag
tulc(found the 16th century stuff interesting!)

 

[rosiecotton]

I don't think that wearing a rainbow means you are advocating gay pride. I'm part of the Emmaus community and one of our symbols is the rainbow. Almost eveyone who attends an Emmaus walk is given a rainbow that most hang from their rearview mirror in their vehicle. I'm sure some look at it and think it means I'm gay. But, whatever...I like it and I'm not going to remove it. If someone asks me about it, I'll just explain it to them.
And, I believe it's a straight rainbow that homesexuals use, not the regular rainbow.

 

[Mling]

I think that "gay pride" rainbows are generally pretty identifiable--6 straight bands--ROYGBV (no indigo) from the top down, with certain proportions. I've also seen very long, extremely thin rainbow bumper stickers that I think are gay-pride-based (almost as long as a car is wide, about 1/4 inch tall). Basically anything else is up for grabs. Start with violet on top, for example, and you've got a peace flag (has PACE written across it, too). Things like colorful bracelets or shoelaces, headbands or the usual arched rainbows are not gay-affiliated in any way. Or, they wouldn't be if people didn't start freaking out over "What if somebody thinks I'm gay?" and refuse to wear them. I don't think anybody would assume a person is gay just because they have rainbow shoelaces. If somebody does, there's a very easy solution--say "no" if they ask.

 

[JDIBe]

A straight rainbow? (that's ironic...)

I wonder why no indigo?

 

[Cris413]

Things like colorful bracelets or shoelaces, headbands or the usual arched rainbows are not gay-affiliated in any way. Or, they wouldn't be if people didn't start freaking out over "What if somebody thinks I'm gay?" and refuse to wear them. I don't think anybody would assume a person is gay just because they have rainbow shoelaces. If somebody does, there's a very easy solution--say "no" if they ask.

Excellent and sensible point!


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[flyingsum0]

If you like them go for it

 

[AmandaLynn1288]

I think that "gay pride" rainbows are generally pretty identifiable--6 straight bands--ROYGBV (no indigo) from the top down, with certain proportions. I've also seen very long, extremely thin rainbow bumper stickers that I think are gay-pride-based (almost as long as a car is wide, about 1/4 inch tall). Basically anything else is up for grabs. Start with violet on top, for example, and you've got a peace flag (has PACE written across it, too). Things like colorful bracelets or shoelaces, headbands or the usual arched rainbows are not gay-affiliated in any way. Or, they wouldn't be if people didn't start freaking out over "What if somebody thinks I'm gay?" and refuse to wear them. I don't think anybody would assume a person is gay just because they have rainbow shoelaces. If somebody does, there's a very easy solution--say "no" if they ask.

definitely agree!! like others said, if you like it, wear it... don't worry about other people

 

[Moana]

I have tons of rainbows.

Rainbows are not just gay pride. What the rainbow symolizes is diversity, all people look most beautiful when together. That means everyone regardless of orentation is beautiful and special in their own way.

 

[Cris413]

I have tons of rainbows.

Rainbows are not just gay pride. What the rainbow symolizes is diversity, all people look most beautiful when together. That means everyone regardless of orentation is beautiful and special in their own way.

But this is not what the rainbow symbolizes young friend. It was not meant by God to symbolize diversity or orientation.

The rainbow is the symbol of God's covenant not to destroy all flesh by flood again.

Which should cause us to consider why God, in His righteous judgement, saw fit to destroy the world in the first place.

Sin was out of control...and not to get too heavy into this because it would be a whole thread in itself but:

Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

I think, as believers, we walk on dangerous ground when we embrace diversity and orientations that go against God's word.

Diversity encompasses more than skin color. This is racism...and we all know that racism is wrong. God gives us no warnings regarding skin color.

Diversity also encompass different cultures, different religions and different "orientations" or lifestyles...many of which go against God.

Examples being: multi-theistic cultures, any religion where the God of Abraham is not their God (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabala, Wicca and so on) as well as homosexuality, polygamy, fornication and the like.

As believers we are not to embrace these things. Diversity is an attempt to make these cultures/lifestyles more acceptable...therefore shedding less light on the darkness allowing the sinful to remain comfortable in their sin...Not good.

I think it's also interesting that the world in the end-times are likened to the days of Noah.

Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

I encourage a full reading/study regarding these Scriptures.

Be blessed in His word.

 

[Nadiine]

I have tons of rainbows.

Rainbows are not just gay pride. What the rainbow symolizes is diversity, all people look most beautiful when together. That means everyone regardless of orentation is beautiful and special in their own way.

I agree with Chris - the rainbow wasn't given by God to glorify diversity... and ESPECIALLY not created to glorify SIN (as diversity includes more than just ethnicity today - but also any sexual orientation and all other religious persuasions).
God doesn't honor or embrace false gods/false religions or perversion and neither should we if we love our Lord.

Loving all people doesn't have to include acceptance of their beliefs and lifestyles - true love of people is leading them to the one truth they need to save their souls eternally. And we do that by showing love of God without sacrificing His TRUTH.

 

[carebearagr]

I think its ok if you want to wear a rainbow. Maybe you can use it to symbolize the true meaning that GOD had intended it to mean. Maybe you can get a shirt or band that has a cross on it. Who knows it may start a movement in the Christian community

 

[tulc]

But this is not what the rainbow symbolizes young friend. It was not meant by God to symbolize diversity or orientation.

Neither was the cross, but it BECAME a symbol for something different, so what's the problem with the rainbow symbolizing diversety (which isn't a bad thing) also?
tulc(just a thought)

 

[tulc]

Examples being: multi-theistic cultures, any religion where the God of Abraham is not their God (Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Kabala, Wicca and so on) as well as homosexuality, polygamy, fornication and the like.

Wait, you think accepting diversety is wrong? Do you mean personally or as a nation?
tulc(Islam is an Abrahamic religion)