Dan Haseltine is the lead singer of the popular Christian folk rock band, Jars of Clay. He's a songwriter, author, founder and board member of the non-profit Blood:Water Mission and, now, an ally to the LGBT community. Since Tuesday, he's been tweeting about marriage equality, loving LGBT people, and his Christian beliefs as support for being an ally.

It all started when Dan got to thinking about inequality during a long plane ride…

International flights = catching up on movies. 12yrs a slave. Wow. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

The treatment of people as less than human based on the color of skin is crazy... Or gender, or sexual orientation for that matter. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

…which led him to share with the Twitterverse his support for marriage equality.

Not meaning to stir things up BUT... Is there a non-speculative or non "slippery slope" reason why gays shouldn't marry? I don't hear one. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

I'm trying to make sense of the conservative argument. But It doesn't hold up to basic scrutiny. Feels akin to women's suffrage. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

Dan hoped his tweets would get a conversation started with his followers about LGBT equality.

I just don't see a negative effect to allowing gay marriage. No societal breakdown, no war on traditional marriage. ?? Anyone? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

Great conversation. I need to turn off for taxi and take off. Thanks everyone. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 21, 2014

But when he started receiving anti-gay responses, Dan maintained his stance and called out the haters.

Okay! Back online... Interesting responses. re: gay marriage. Never liked the phrase: "Scripture clearly says...(blank) about..." — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Because most people read and interpret scripture wrong. I don't think scripture "clearly" states much of anything regarding morality. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

I think the vast interpretation has left room for people to deal inhumanly and unlovingly toward others that don't fit their guidelines. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

He reminded folks about Christianity's narrative of love.

I don't particularly care about Scriptures stance on what is "wrong." I care more about how it says we should treat people. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

If we know or do not know the particulars of a persons "wrongs," we should love them the same. Correct? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

It is a form of dismissal when we assume we know a person once we identify their "sin." We withhold love for fear it would enable. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Dan challenged those participating to embody love, not judgment, as a way to foster equality.

Let's unpack the idea that we should be able to love without "approving" of a persons homosexuality. What is at stake? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Just curious what "condoning a persons homosexuality" does. Does it change you? Does it hurt someone? What is behind the conviction? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Interesting how Christianity was both a proponent of slavery and the force behind abolishing it. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Ah! The messiness shows itself! :). False dichotomy. Can we love and judge? Can we not condone and love? Is it our job to convict and love? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 22, 2014

Dan's tweets continued to center around this topic for the next couple of days, but he started to drive home his message on Thursday morning.

Fascinated by the comments saying I have abandoned Christ and faith. Get off your "jump to conclusions" mat. :) — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 24, 2014

Seeing so many waving the flag of "the infallible word of God" as proof we shouldn't love someone or offer equal rights to someone. #? — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 24, 2014

I have received so many great messages from gay Christians. You have encouraged me. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 24, 2014

law < love. — Dan Haseltine (@scribblepotemus) April 24, 2014

The frontman of one of the most popular contemporary Christian bands, Dan's ongoing Twitter convo is not only challenging the misconception that religious communities are necessarily in opposition with the LGBT community; addiitonally, it challenges folks from those communities to engage in dialogue, to grow in understanding, and to think critically and intentionally about fostering love and equality. As Jars of Clay's music is often heard in Christian spaces as well as youth-oriented spaces, Dan's tweets may have a resounding impact, sparking conversations where they do not usually occur.

At the time this post was written, Dan's tweets are still coming. Check them all out at his account, @scribblepotemus.