CAN HOMOSEXUALITY REALLY BE COMPATIBLE WITH CHRISTIANITY?

On my birthday, April 10^th, I remember seeing the news of Uruguay’s extension of marriage rights to same-sex unions, and I recollect taking note of the joyous rapture of the sizeable spectators, who had turned out to witness history in the making. They were obviously proud of their lawmakers.

Seven days later, on the 17^th, in New Zealand, a bill for the legalization of same-sex marriages was passed by the House of Representatives there. The rapture in Uruguay was eclipsed by the New Zealanders who greeted this move ecstatically as teeming spectators in the gallery of the House of Representatives burst into spontaneous singing. Some lawmakers could not but join in their historic rendition of the traditional love song, Pokarekare Ana.  

Fast forward…six days later, it was the turn of France. After a tense debate, the legislature there voted to legalize same-sex marriages, with every right that heterosexual marriages enjoy, including the right to adopt children. Unlike Uruguay and New Zealand, the turf was visibly divided here. There were sizeable rhapsodic ‘jubilants’ as well as evidently displeased protesters.

As of now, there are fourteen nations that have taken this step, but their ranks are sure to swell as similar bills are currently in various stages of the journey to becoming law (or not) in Andorra, Colombia, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Nepal, Ireland, Taiwan and the UK. When you add to this the fact that there are several states and provinces where gay marriages are legal within countries that are not part of the fourteen.(i.e parts of the U.S, Brazil and Mexico), you will  agree that politically speaking, celebrations are in order for gays and gay rights proponents.

That’s how it stands politically, but how does it stand spiritually? Of course I always speak primarily from a Christian standpoint. But given the divided opinions amongst Christian clerics and denominations, many wonder what really is the Christian standpoint? Now, folks, as far as I know, there is only one Christian standpoint. However, I realize that the whole confusion has risen because there are two kinds of people who go by the label ‘Christian’.

Two Kinds of Christians

There obviously are two kinds of Christians. The first kind are those whose passports and other documents refer to them as Christians, they may or may not attend church. For these ones the Bible is just an ancient book with little or no answers for today’s complexities. And Jesus Christ is simply a fabulous super hero they grew up hearing about. No different from Clark Kent and Batman. When they get spiritual, it is often by getting involved with New Age and other all-inclusive pseudo-Christian groups and societies that have nothing to do with Christ essentially.

Then there is the other kind of Christian who believes and understands that the foundation of the Christian movement is the person of Jesus Christ. Above anything, this kind of Christian yearns for and nurtures a living relationship with Christ. This kind of Christian believes that all of the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and submits his or her life to its tenets and dictates. They attend church regularly. And lest I forget, this kind of Christian believes this is the only true kind of Christianity.

So what is the Christian Standpoint on Homosexuality?

Christians in the first group described above (who happen to be in the majority) are often of the opinion that homosexual relationships are spiritually harmless. Clerics and those who know the Bible among them have their theological arguments against the portions of the Bible that condemn homosexuality. So such Christians have told many and will readily tell you that homosexuality is not wrong in the sight of the Christian God.

On the other hand, the second group of Christians who believe in the supremacy of Scripture will refer you to portions like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:26-27 and Leviticus 18:22 where God’s displeasure with homosexuality is expressly stated.

This second group of Christians will tell you that true Christianity and homosexuality can’t mix. They will tell you that this is the only Christian standpoint.

This is where I belong. I personally believe that Christ, Christianity and homosexuality do not mix.

Does that make us homophobes?

If homophobia is a strong dislike and fear of homosexual people as the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary defines it, then I don’t see why any Christian would be homophobic. Even Jesus himself was not homophobic. Imitating Christ, we learn to separate the act from the one who acts. So we can love people without having to love all they do.

 I certainly do not detest or avoid anyone just because they are gay or lesbian, but that should not also deter me from saying the truth as I know it, about homosexuality. As a matter of fact, having attended an all-boys secondary school, I have reason to believe that I could have ended up gay myself…but I’m not. And I’m not a gay hater.

Final Words    

There are many gay and lesbian people who had to quit trying to be Christians because they sincerely understood that Christianity and homosexuality do not mix. Whilst I am not excited at their exit, I consider their action honest and noble. It’s a lot better than trying to re-interpret scripture in a bid to justify ones sexual orientation, or wouldn’t you agree?

Recapping, let me say that according to the Christian Bible, God is averse to homosexuality, and for this reason homosexuality and Christianity are not compatible, and this is the Christian standpoint. of now, there are fourteen nations that have taken this step, but their ranks are sure to swell as similar bills are currently in various stages of the journey to becoming law (or not) in Andorra, Colombia, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Nepal, Ireland, Taiwan and the UK. When you add to this the fact that there are several states and provinces where gay marriages are legal within countries that are not part of the fourteen.(i.e parts of the U.S, Brazil and Mexico), you will  agree that politically speaking, celebrations are in order for gays and gay rights proponents.

That’s how it stands politically, but how does it stand spiritually? Of course I always speak primarily from a Christian standpoint. But given the divided opinions amongst Christian clerics and denominations, many wonder what really is the Christian standpoint? Now, folks, as far as I know, there is only one Christian standpoint. However, I realize that the whole confusion has risen because there are two kinds of people who go by the label ‘Christian’.

Two Kinds of Christians

There obviously are two kinds of Christians. The first kind are those whose passports and other documents refer to them as Christians, they may or may not attend church. For these ones the Bible is just an ancient book with little or no answers for today’s complexities. And Jesus Christ is simply a fabulous super hero they grew up hearing about. No different from Clark Kent and Batman. When they get spiritual, it is often by getting involved with New Age and other all-inclusive pseudo-Christian groups and societies that have nothing to do with Christ essentially.

Then there is the other kind of Christian who believes and understands that the foundation of the Christian movement is the person of Jesus Christ. Above anything, this kind of Christian yearns for and nurtures a living relationship with Christ. This kind of Christian believes that all of the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and submits his or her life to its tenets and dictates. They attend church regularly. And lest I forget, this kind of Christian believes this is the only true kind of Christianity.

So what is the Christian Standpoint on Homosexuality?

Christians in the first group described above (who happen to be in the majority) are often of the opinion that homosexual relationships are spiritually harmless. Clerics and those who know the Bible among them have their theological arguments against the portions of the Bible that condemn homosexuality. So such Christians have told many and will readily tell you that homosexuality is not wrong in the sight of the Christian God.

On the other hand, the second group of Christians who believe in the supremacy of Scripture will refer you to portions like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:26-27 and Leviticus 18:22 where God’s displeasure with homosexuality is expressly stated.

This second group of Christians will tell you that true Christianity and homosexuality can’t mix. They will tell you that this is the only Christian standpoint.

This is where I belong. I personally believe that Christ, Christianity and homosexuality do not mix.

Does that make us homophobes?

If homophobia is a strong dislike and fear of homosexual people as the Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary defines it, then I don’t see why any Christian would be homophobic. Even Jesus himself was not homophobic. Imitating Christ, we learn to separate the act from the one who acts. So we can love people without having to love all they do.

I certainly do not detest or avoid anyone just because they are gay or lesbian, but that should not also deter me from saying the truth as I know it, about homosexuality. As a matter of fact, having attended an all-boys secondary school, I have reason to believe that I could have ended up gay myself…but I’m not. And I’m not a gay hater.

Final Words    

There are many gay and lesbian people who had to quit trying to be Christians because they sincerely understood that Christianity and homosexuality do not mix. Whilst I am not excited at their exit, I consider their action honest and noble. It’s a lot better than trying to re-interpret scripture in a bid to justify ones sexual orientation, or wouldn’t you agree?

Recapping, let me say that according to the Christian Bible, God is averse to homosexuality, and for this reason homosexuality and Christianity are not compatible, and this is the Christian standpoint.