I've thought a lot about the subject of homosexuality, and how it affects my beliefs as a Christian.
Years ago (probably close to 20 years ago), my thought was something along the lines of "It's wrong, but I won't condemn someone who is gay".
But the more I thought about the subject, and the more gay people I got to know, the more I became convinced that the proclivity to being homosexual is built in, as opposed to being learned behavior.
So then, how do I square this with my beliefs as a Christian? I am a Christian, and I'm proud to be one. I will say that lately my definition of what a Christian is, and what Christianity means, has been changing (evolving? devolving?) - but that's a different topic for a different day.
Here is my deal: If we were created by God, as I believe we were (His method was evolution by the way, although it doesn't matter His method. Could have been the Adam and Eve story, although to me that seems to limit God: Evolution is so much grander a way to do it in my view. Anyhow, again, His method of Creation doesn't affect my Christianity), and if homosexuality is built in rather than learned, as I believe it is, then why would I have a problem with it?
I've heard people say "hate the sin, don't hate the sinner" - and I love those people, but I disagree with them that homosexuality is a sin.
Things that homosexuality is not:
Pedophilia
Promiscuity
Immorality
Sure, homosexual people can be immoral, and can be promiscuous, just like heterosexual people and we can have a discussion about those subjects any time, but I don't believe there is anything immoral about homosexuality. I guess that's the first time I've actually written that down as definitively as I just did (the equating of pedophilia with homosexuality is just ignorance, btw - 'nuff said about that).
I'm sure that many people who read this will disagree with me, and that's fine. People can have differences of opinion, as far as I'm concerned. I just wanted to tell you mine.
Entering your fifties and watching some of your friends have gay children who grow up to be fine people can affect one's viewpoint. Even more so when those fifty-year old acquaintances and their children are family.
ReplyDeleteEven assuming for the sake of argument that some religions consider homosexuality to be sinful conduct, our constitution created a secular government so the religious perspective is irrelevant anyhow, thank goodness.
Ian, this is beautifully explained. God does not make mistakes. I just hate it for those who struggle with acceptance, especially in this town.
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