Controversy in "Same Love"

My last blog was on Macklemore's song "Same Love" (watch the music video I posted if you haven't already!) and now I would like to address the religious undertones and therefore the religious controversies that accompany it.

In his lyrics, Macklemore says

"Playing god, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don’t know
And god loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago"

This section refers to the fact that we think we can "play God" and change homosexuals into heterosexuals. Some argue that homosexuality is a choice that can be forced out of people. He also references the fact that America fears homesexuality and change/ progression as a whole. He reminds us that "God loves all his children," but then why do certain people preach that "God hates fags"? He brings it into perspective when he says that "we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago" and that people pick and choose what they want to believe in the Bible. The Old Testament itself condemns homosexuality, whereas the New Testament promotes God's love for all his children. Macklemore is making the point that it's interesting that we choose which parts to believe/follow.

Next, he says:

"It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion,"

indicating that by failing to accept people's differences and ways of life, we create wars and destruction. War is all about hating people who are different from you.

He goes on to say:

"When I was in church

They taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service
Those words aren't anointed
And that Holy Water
That you soak in
Is then poisoned"

Churches outwardly say that hate is poisonous and wrong, but then they go on to instill prejudices in people with their hate rants against homosexuals. Isn't that then poisoning their own meanings?

Macklemore ends his song with:

"Whatever god you believe in
We come from the same one"

This implies that we are all human, whether we are gay, straight, Jewish, Muslim and Christian. We need to recognize our interconnectedness with everyone in order to bring the judgement, hate, and suffering to an end. He ends the song with the verse from I Corinthian 13:1-13: "Love is patient; Love is kind."

Here is the link to the lyrics:

Macklemore Lyrics

After I watched the YouTube video, I scrolled down to read some of the comments. Even after the bold message that Macklemore makes that we should be accepting and loving towards everyone, people still posted some interesting comments:

"Fags aren't human nor will I ever acknowledge them as human beings they are garbage that spread disease and immorality and the word of evil and corrupt what is meant to be normal ( man and woman )."

"everyone it born innocent and pure. people have to take responsibility for them selves and make the right decisions in life. I could care less what the mass majority would say because they are all brain washed sheep thinking sick things like fags are ok."

I guess the message didn't really resound with these people. To each his own! I just hope someday these people will realize that their hate and judgement isn't making the world a better place. Nor is it living up to the idea that God loves all his children.