On Tuesday MLB Ambassador of Inclusion Billy Bean (openly gay) visited the NY Mets Spring Training camp. In raising awareness Bean is providing “guidance and training related to efforts to support those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community”.

During Bean’s visit 2nd baseman Daniel Murphy took the opportunity to comment on homosexuality. At this point I’m not sure if a reporter posed a question to Murphy or if he decided to comment on his own.

“I disagree with the lifestyle,” Murphy told the Daily News when asked about Bean’s visit. “But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love a teammate who is gay. I was glad he was here today and to hear his story.” “I do disagree with the fact that Billy is a homosexual,” Murphy continued. “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%.”

“Maybe, as a Christian, that we haven’t been as articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality,” he said. “We love the people. We disagree about the lifestyle. That’s the way I would describe it for me. 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.”

Of course the PC world jumped on Murphy’s comments and called his comments “offensive” while others deemed them “hateful”. Boomer & Carton from WFAN in NYC chimed in….

“Daniel Murphy did everything he could to try to couch what he was saying so it didn’t come across as hateful or hurtful,” Carton said. “But the reality is, what he said is offensive.”

“He sounds like he’s pretty aggressive,” Esiason said. “That’s why he should just play baseball. His language is way over the top and too strong.”

Seriously folks!!!

Murphy didn’t say he hated gays or that they deserved to die. He was very articulate in stating that his belief disagrees with homosexuality, but that he wouldn’t shun Bean. There’s nothing wrong with what Murphy said, disagreeing with homosexuality is not offensive, hateful or aggressive as Boomer and Carlton stated.

This is the problem with our society, we are not always going to agree with each other and we can agree to disagree without hatred being involved. As for Murphy’s comments being aggressive, if anything Boomer and Carlton were aggressive in attacking Murphy. Their response to Murphy does more to discourage open conversation than encourage.

As always….

If there is something to be said, “It’s On Broadway” to step up and say it!!

Credit: Daily Stache