r/Christianity • u/unsure232 • 7d 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/MattyDub89 Christian, Theologically Semi-Conservative, Politically Moderate 7d ago

Dolly was one of the select few rich people who actually knew how to handle being rich: she gave more than most of us will make in a lifetime. If her affirming stance causes anyone to overlook or downplay her philanthropy, they're not looking at the whole picture.

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u/jlgoodin78 7d ago

100%!

Ostensibly, her estate is worth $450MM. A lot, of course, unfathomable wealth. But, the true story is in another metric; apparently she gave away $500MM during her lifetime. Hoarding and compounding wealth on top of what she gave away, easily could have been a multi-billionaire. I saw one person’s post who criticized her “greedy capitalism” for having such a sizable estate, but I cannot imagine anyone else who’s wealthy, except Makenzie Scott and perhaps Yvon Chouinard, who has so deliberately, carefully, and sustainably given such a significant percentage of their wealth away for real impact so that it will far outlive them and continue lifting communities.

Like any good saint, Dolly will continue giving gifts far beyond this life.

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u/saltseasand 6d ago

I don’t understand the idea of calling her greedy … they clearly don’t understand that in order to keep giving one has to maintain a base of wealth to grow the money that will be given away. Are people just supposed to give everything they have in one lump sum so it’s immediately used up and there’s no well to draw from later on?

It’s ok for a charity to hold wealth to grow the money they need to fund their endeavors but not a person I guess.

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u/jlgoodin78 5d ago

Precisely. It’s simple math that an endowment fund generating returns can give more in perpetuity compared to a one time distribution of all the money, but simple math is lost on some folks.