Sexuality
As
John Cleese's schoolteacher said in Monty Python and the Meaning of
Life - 'Sex, sex, sex'. What are we to make of it? As people? As
Christians? As straight? As gay? As bisexual? Is there an area more full
of taboos and uncertainties? And as for sexuality - which sex we fancy,
add religion, and the situation becomes all the more comlicated.
I
used to head this section with a brief non-committal bit about not being
gay so not having to face decisions in this area. One person misread my
position as being gay, and directed me to lots of resources to help change
my sexuality. (Thanks Fred, but I fear my wife would object to me changing
my sexual orientation.) But I've also been challanged to say what I think,
so here goes.
I'm torn, frankly. For the head, a simple reading of the Bible does not bode well for an inclusive attitude. I am well aware that many Christians, who take a more literal approach to Scripture than I do, nevertheless do not feel their homosexuality is condemned. I respect that. I'm not sure I can do the same. Strike one for the conservatives.
And, yet, my heart says otherwise.Were I attracted to the same gender, I would not see why God wanted me to be unfulfilled sexually, single, constantly struggling against what seemed my nature, when it harmed none. If God is love, why could I not express love in the way that humans do? Why would this physical expression be holy if the object of my love was a woman, and evil if it be a man?
So, yes, I'm torn. Consequently my position is as I said before:
It is my belief that it is the Holy Spirit's job to convict people of right and wrong, not ours; ours is to support them in the way that they have prayerfully decided is right. So I include both sites that are accepting and rejecting of homosexual practice, both of which I hope will be of use to lesbian or gay people who have come down on one side or another regarding their sexuality. I, meanwhile, have never had to make any such decision and refuse to make anyone else's for them.
These, then, are the sites.
| Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance -Homosexuality | As above; this is their section on homosexuality, which surveys all threads in theological thinking about it. Useful if you're undecided and feel pressurised to take one view or another. |
| Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Christian Movement | Concerns itself with supporting the acceptance of same-sex relationships within the church, and supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Christians and there friends. Theologically their approach is that sexual relationships of this kind are acceptable. |
| True Freedom Trust | This is another site supporting Lesbian and Gay Christians, but from a different perspective. A more Evangelical organisation than the LGBC Movement, it does not condone same-sex relationships but gives support to those who struggle with their orientation. It warrants inclusion here because it does not involve itself with trying to change people's orientation. There have been too many unhappy stories of ex-ex-gays for me to feel I can support such ministries. |
| Bridges Across | Seeks to build bridges between people with different theologies about this issue. Not to change their minds, but to foster understanding and mutual acceptance. |