Homosexuality and the Christian Community

        There is a significant and divisive debate in the Christian community over whether or not homosexuality is sinful. Many people believe that all Christians are "anti-gay," but there is really no consensus on homosexuality among Christians. Some conservative Christians are vehemently opposed to homosexuality and gay rights, believing that homosexuals should "become straight." However, some liberal Christians fully support homosexuality and gay rights, emphasizing God's love and forgiveness. Many Christians find a middle ground, believing that being attracted to the same sex is okay, but that the Bible prohibits sexual behaviour between people of the same gender. This wide range of beliefs is reflected in the differing positions of Christian churches and organizations. The United Church of Canada welcomes homosexuals into its congregations and allows its clergy to perform same-sex marriages. The official catechism of the Roman Catholic church states that homosexuals can be Catholics, but that they are called to chastity. The New York Times reported about a conservative evangelical Baptist church in Ausbury Park, New Jersey that attended the city's annual gay pride celebration, giving out water bottles. The church believes that homosexuality is a sin, but went "to show God's love" to the people there.

        The debate over homosexuality in the Christian community largely centers around particular Bible verses relevant to the issue (e.g. Leviticus 18:22 and 1 Corinthians 6:9). Scholarly, contemporary translations of the Bible (such as the New International Version) support the view that homosexual behaviour is sinful, though not necessarly same-sex attraction (an important distinction). However, some Christians believe that the Bible has been misunderstood and mistranslated, arguing that the Bible means to condemn other practices such as child abuse and rape instead. This is likely a debate that will divide Christians for many years to come, with implications for the relationship between the Christian and LGBT communities. However, Christians from every standpoint should be able to agree on the importance of treating homosexuals with love and respect, as the Bible commands (Mark 12:31 and Proverbs 10:12). It is also helpful to consider that too much of an emphasis on sexuality can detract from the Bible's main message, that of the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.

In writing this post, I have done my best to put aside my own beliefs on the subect and remain unbiased, in order to present an impartial summary of the differing standpoints Christians have on homosexuality. You can read my personal standpoint here.

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LOVE

– 1 John 4:8

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40  (Jesus speaking)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35  (Jesus speaking)

     As these Bible verses show, following Jesus is all about love. But hold on a second... what is love? Is it just a fuzzy feeling we get when we're around the person we like? Let's find out what the Bible says...

First, take a look at 1 Corinthians 13, well known as "The Love Chapter." Here is a lot of information about what love is. Right off the bat, the first three verses tell us that love is extremely important, and without love, everything we do is meaningless. Then the next couple verses say:

1. Love is patient.

2. Love is kind.

3. Love does not envy.

4. Love does not boast.

5. Love is not proud.

6. Love does not dishonor others.

7. Love is not self-seeking.

8. Love is not easily angered.

9. Love keeps no record of wrongs.

10. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

11. Love always protects.

12. Love always trusts.

13. Love always hopes.

14. Love always perseveres.

     Wow, that's quite the list, eh? But there's a pattern here – I think it's clear that love is about putting others first.

Second, visit John 13:1-17. In this passage, Jesus washes His disciples' feet because of His deep love for them. Here Jesus demonstrates true, perfect love. Jesus was God! Yet He humbled himself, taking the job of the lowest servant. And He told us to do the same. In this passage, Jesus showed us that the opposite of love is selfishness. Without humbling ourselves and putting others first, we can't love properly. Love is about action, not mere feelings or rhetoric (1 John 3:18). Without acting out our love to the people around us, what's the point?

Third, read Galatians 5:19-23. Here we learn that true, pure love needs to follow God's plan. Otherwise, it's just a cheap imitation. Stuff like sexual immorality, jealousy and quarrelling have nothing to do with love. You can see a lot of this in the world today: instead of true, pure love, we find stuff that corrupts and perverts love, or simply goes against it altogether.
     For example, some people think they can have sex with as many people as they want, or with people of the same gender, or with young children. Others think it's okay to kill their unborn baby if he or she poses an inconvenience to them. Many people don't see any problem with treating someone as a mere sexual object, by lusting after friends and viewing pornography. In short, we find selfishness and hedonism – the complete opposites of love.
     I'm still trying to untangle the love and lust in my life. I'm still trying to fully understand what love means. I hope you'll join me in this quest for a deeper understanding of pure, true love. But in the meantime...

Follow God. Love. Change the world.

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