As a moderate Baptist minister, I am troubled that in this melee it seems mere disagreement with homosexuality has become synonymous with homophobia. I am not speaking of those who curse or demean the LGBTQ community, which for Christians fails every biblical litmus test. They are no doubt supremely misguided and operating in sin. But today to express a belief that homosexuality and therefore same-sex marriage are incompatible with God's design to so many is virtually blasphemous. No matter how lovingly you articulate marriage as designed by God exclusively for male and female in opposite attraction, capable in form and function of being optimally fruitful, you are chided for promoting so-called discriminatory, obsolete theology. You are supposedly out of touch with reality, not to mention modern biblical scholarship, and in some circles can be quickly ushered to the rear of any conversation on the matter. Nevertheless, be that as it may, though in continued conversation with those of differing opinion, that is exactly where I find myself; firmly committed to being welcoming and loving, but not affirming of homosexuality. Colleagues whom I deeply respect like Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton and Rev. Dr.Adam Hamilton advocate spiritedly for the affirmation of homosexuality in the civil arena and church, and I respect their calling to that work. Both have deservedly been highlighted in The Washington Postthis past year. They and others, despite our disagreements in this realm, are indeed members of my Christian family. But, like any large family, I don't want one opinion to be drowned or silenced by another perhaps simply because a political tide of new power and influence has rolled in.