Parton’s version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (“be who you are,” she’s said), is unaligned with God’s vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal. Love doesn’t mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.
It’s a reminder to be careful when looking to cultural Christians to light the way. For example, we love to hear Stephen Colbert testify about following Christ, but when he rants against the overturn of Roe v. Wade, it’s clear he’s misguided.
Similarly, in the same week that Parton mentioned her upbringing in church, The Advocate (a large circulation magazine) called her an “LGBTQ+ icon.” And her rhinestone-studded flashy outfits, big hair, and infamous chest have inspired many a drag queen. That’s not her fault, but she does seem to indulge it.
I think they’re hoping, praying, and planning ahead to Trump 2.0 where batshit fundie-ism rules the day. When the GOP justices “find” a structure in The Holy Constitution that decrees they are righteous and correct in banning conception on a federal level. The Federalist will then write ridiculous and hypocritical articles where they say with a straight face that the justices’ rank and foul religiosity should - cough - trump the literal name of their site.