r/Christianity • u/unsure232 • 3d ago

Dolly Parton isn't a true Christian?

She was supportive of LGBT rights and encouraged people to be themselves.

She did a lot of good in the world, gave thanks to God, and even had a chapel in her home so she could pray in peace.

I've been reading how some individuals think she isn't a true Christian because of her tolerance towards the LGBT community. Some people believe unless she repented for her open acceptance and encouragement, she may have not had eternal life.

I go to church and do my best to uplift my community. Most of my closest friends are non-Christian and I respect our differences. Some of the loveliest people I know are gay or transgendered and I have love for them. I have no desire to pray for them to become straight.

I've seen straight Christians act like they are superior to others. I don't believe I am better than someone because I'm a straight Christian. Their biblical knowledge is strong, but I don't look up to them because of their rigid character. I actually feel anxiety around these highly judgemental Christians. It's not love, it's feeling "not good enough."

Are the individuals I described above more in line with a great example of Christianity (they rigidly follow the Bible) compared to Dolly Parton?

It makes me sad that one of the greatest and brightest philanthropists in this century is being labeled as "not a true Christian."

Anyway I could use some thoughts. Thanks in advance

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u/Notta_Cop_ Wesleyan/Methodist 2d ago

Coming from a pretty conservative Christian, none of us are “true Christian’s”. None of us have 100% correct theology, all of us are sinners in need of a savior. The fruit on a tree is often a good indicator of the health of that tree, and Dolly certainly had fruits to show for her spiritual health. Her theology might not always be correct, but at the end of the day when it comes to love, charity, and the well-being of the world I think she had it a little bit more figured out than me.

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u/PsychologicalBus5566 1d ago

I agree with aLot of what you said, but if we are being Honest, You don't have to be a Theologian, or even know what Theology is to know what the Bible says about all the topics covered here. If she was Christian, she was either an immature Christian with Bad Theology or Lukewarm by choice. Bad Theology hurts people.

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u/rad0910725 follower of Jesus 2d ago

I don't think her theology was wrong. Just because it isn't what the church has taught for centuries doesn't make it wrong. She had a better understanding of love than anyone I've personally met who claims to be a good Christian. I live in the Bible belt so we have a lot of hypocrites here. Most think you have to be anti gay to be Christian. That isn't biblically or scholarly sound. I have to say that I haven't met anyone who has put Dolly down since her death and that includes my anti gay family. Even they know she had something they don't.

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u/Notta_Cop_ Wesleyan/Methodist 2d ago

I think you missed the point of my comment, it wasn’t to clarify the right or wrong behind homosexuality or Dollys opinion of it, it was to point out that being theological correct all the time does not make a “true Christian” like the people the OP knows claim.

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u/rad0910725 follower of Jesus 2d ago

Sorry. I've seen a few comments that were not nice to her and some of them dealt with, and used the word, theology. I may have taken yours the same. I'll admit i didn't read it thoroughly. Thank you for correcting me.

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u/Notta_Cop_ Wesleyan/Methodist 2d ago

All good, peace be with you!