Tuesday, March 24, 2009

More on Homosexuality

I read in the Poughkeepsie Journal this morning (3/24/09) that the anti-Gay church group from Kansas didn’t demonstrate at Natasha Richardson’s funeral in Millbrook (see my earlier post), for which I am thankful. The issue of homosexuality is much too complex for a full discussion in a blog, but I do want to bring out a few points on the subject for your consideration.

(1) The Bible is pretty definitive and specific about condemning homosexual practice. Although Gay rights sympathizers try to water this down by bizarre misinterpretations of Scripture, I think the better way is to accept what the Bible clearly says and then deal with it in a Christ-like manner.

(2) The Bible condemns all kinds of behaviors such as divorce, yet most Protestant churches accept divorced people, allow them to receive the sacraments, and even ordain them (to the RC Church, divorce is the unforgivable sin). If we can accept divorced people, why can’t we figure out how to deal with practicing homosexuals?

(3) What is an example of dealing with Gays in a Christ-like manner? Loving them as fellow human beings made in the image of God, and lovingly accepting them into our fellowship. Christ had hated tax collectors in his fellowship of the first disciples, he ate with sinners, and he forgave the woman caught in adultery. To hate Gays as that church in Kansas does it not at all bring Christ-like.

(4) Having said all this, I do believe marriage should be between people of the opposite sex. Marriage is what it is and has been for thousands of years, and shouldn’t be redefined to fit an agenda. For legal purposes, civil unions make sense, but not “marriage” between same sex people. I know some disagree with me on this issue, but that’s what I believe. I don’t mean it as a slap in the face to Gays, but my position is based on the Bible and biology.

(5) Unfortunately the issues of Gay marriage and the ordination of those engaged in the practice of homosexuality have seriously divided denominations. The Episcopal Church is the most visible, but the United Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran churches are all facing divisions over these issues. Sides have become so polarized that I’m not sure if people will be able to reach some sort of accord. The positions seem to leave no room for compromise or finding an acceptable middle ground. Please pray for wisdom for these churches in this regard.

No comments: