Two weeks after U.S. Soccer announced that both their men's and women's national
teams will be wearing rainbow-colored jerseys in support of gay pride this
month, Christian soccer player Jaelene Hinkle has withdrawn herself from the U.S.
roster for two international friendlies billed for June., citing "personal
reasons."
A release from U.S. Soccer said Hinkle, 24, who is a
defender for the North Carolina Courage, was called into the national camp to
play international friendlies against Sweden and Norway this month. She was not
replaced on the roster after her withdrawal.
It is unclear if U.S. Soccer's
celebration of gay pride this month is related to Hinkle's withdrawal but she
wears her faith proudly on social media.
She proudly boasts Colossians 3:23 on
Twitter which says: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men."
"If you live for people's
acceptance, you'll die from their rejection," the tagline also notes.
She also converted a gay pride logo
into a celebration of the cross on Instagram the same day the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex
marriage in 2015 while sharing her thoughts on the decision.
"Jesus didn't come to save
those who already believed in Him. He came so that the lost, rejected, and
abandoned men and women would find Him and believe. I believe with every fiber
in my body that what was written 2,000 years ago in the Bible is undoubtedly
true. It's not a fictional book. It's not a pick and choose what you want to
believe. You either believe it, or you don't. This world may change, but Christ
and His Word NEVER will," she said.
"My heart is that as Christians
we don't begin to throw a tantrum over what has been brought into law today,
but we become that much more loving. That through our love, the lost, rejected,
and abandoned find Christ."
Hinkle went on to declare that the
rainbow, despite its current affiliation with the gay pride movement, is a
symbol of God's promise to mankind.
"The rainbow was a convent
(sic) made between God and all his creation that never again would the world be
flooded as it was when He destroyed the world during Noah's time. It's a
constant reminder that no matter how corrupt this world becomes, He will never
leave us or forsake us. Thank you Lord for your amazing grace, even during
times of trial and confusion," she said. "Love won over 2,000 years
ago when the greatest sacrifice of all time was made for ALL mankind."
LGBT advocates who later chastised
her online for stating her Christian beliefs said they were looking forward to
her wearing the gay pride jerseys.
U.S. Soccer is undertaking a number
of initiatives in partnership with the LGBTQ advocacy group You Can Play Project to
celebrate gay pride month.
"As the highlight, the U.S.
Men's and Women's National Teams will wear pride-inspired rainbow numbers
during the June friendlies.
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