After seven years of working on the issue of homosexuality at the Family Research Council, I think I have a pretty good sense of the arguments that pro-homosexual activists use in support of their agenda, such as affirmation of homosexual…

Adult conversations like this are being read by teens and young adults vulnerable to suicide. Conversations like this tend to leave them feeling condemned – and their needs overlooked.

I am convinced that what they need to hear from Christian leaders is an entirely different message than the one we often offer. I know this because they share with me what they need in their own words.

For such young people who may experience same-sex attraction for the remainder of their lives whether they ‘act’ upon such desires or not, they need our care and support.

They need our care and support because our message requests that they deny their relational and sexual needs in order to maintain celibacy. That, my friends, is not an easy path for the vast majority of humanity: but it is possible.

For such a path to be possible, the core message from Christianity should be one of gentleness, patience, kindness, and long-suffering.

For such a path to be possible, our message – the Gospel of Jesus Christ – should be lived out by laying down our lives to care for GLBT persons and their families.

For such a path to be possible, we need to become “fathers” and “pastors” who love, hug, listen to, care for, serve, invite, and invest in GLBT persons’ gifts and talents.

For such a path to be possible, we must become Christian parents who unconditionally love our GLBT children – “just as they are.”

For such a path to be possible, we – the wider Christian community – must vulnerably admit to our own broken identities.

FACT: Many of us in the evangelical church have broken sexual and gender identities expressed through our high divorce and internet porn rates. Not to mention our materialism and consumerism.

We too have a “choice” and yet we seem to struggle to make the right choice to avoid online porn and keep our marriages alive – even though we have Jesus!

In light of this, we do not so much need to win a debate over gay marriage as much as we need to convey humility in recognizing that we ALL struggle with sexual purity issues and other sin struggles. In the words of Paul, we ALL do these “same” things. (Romans 2:1-4)

I am not criticizing Christians defending traditional marriage in this forum. Neither am I here to lob a theological bomb at the authors of this article. Rather, I am simply saying to those who feel condemned by Christianity: Jesus loves you and I love you.

Debate forums like this are often perceived as the church’s entire response to GLBT persons. In truth, much work is being done inside the evangelical church to make sure you feel welcomed and invited to work out your salvation along with the rest of us – broken sinners in need of grace.

For those interested, learn more at:

http://fishontheotherside.org

Sincerely,

Bill Henson
Host, Lead Them Home
President, FOTOS Ministries
Boston, MA

I cannot agree that God would prohibit sex between two of the same gender solely on the ground of gender per se. If anything, God might prohibit same-sex relations on the grounds of some higher basis (that only he knows about and not because of what we as humans may perceive as the reasons. Maybe the Father sees that it may be “soul-destroying” for some reason — only the Father knows, or that same-sex relations are forbidden because these are a manifest representation of the hatred of man or the creation of man for a purpose of -> select one (the gender, or humanity, love, the gift of life through God) — only the Father knows, or idolatry of the created (the flesh) instead of worship of the Creator — this even I could understand; some people are more attracted to their Rolex watches and Gucci purses than they are to Him.

The translation of ancient text is incorrect in my opinion in that a man who lies with a man as a man lies with a women is an abomination, and instead, should be more accurately translated as “is abomination (i.e., hateful… which is murder)”, and not as written as “is an abomination (i.e., detestable)”.

These are my thoughts on the subject of homosexualty and no religious organization including my own (Seventh-Day Adventist) has yet to provide me a cogent argument of the subject yet.

If fact, one (an athiest) could argue that God is wishy-washy in the fact that he created man FIRST, then made the decision that “it is not good for man to be alone”, and created a women out of man. Obviously, they could argue that if God knew what he was doing and knew the state of man, then man would not be satisifed with a relationship solely with God and would need a help-meet. Why then, didn’t the Father see this in the beginning and create man and woman from the beginning? Why did God, through the writings of the Old Testament herald this development of first man, then woman — a two-part story if a one-part story is what God the Father has intended all along — it just doesn’t make sense.

I cannot support your argument here even though I have donated to FRC during Gary’s term. Sorry.

Anthony Puzyn
Sturbridge, Massachusetts 01566

This also ignores the fact that if it were genetic, without the ability to reproduce, the behavior would by now be extinct.

WHAT YOU STATED MAKES NO SENSE and its delusional science.

The very fact you have discomfting feelings about being gay is the very sign you can walk in complete deliverance. I have been a scientist for 40 years, clearly the reigning sentiment in our society is that homosexuality is genetic. In both news and entertainment programs this idea is often stated as fact, as something that all intelligent people believe.

One reason for this is the pressure applied by powerful special interest groups. The Wall Street Journal reported on August 12, 1993, that to suggest that current biological-cause theories are unsubstantiated is to risk one’s career. New York psychiatrist William Byne said, “I’m told my criticism is not politically correct…What they are saying, therefore, is that I should subjugate scientific rigor to political expediency.”

However, as Aldous Huxley said, “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” The fact is that no scientifically accepted, replicable studies presently exist that clearly demonstrate that homosexuality is genetic.

Studies do exist, however, showing that homosexuals who desire to change can do so. These studies have not received the same level of media coverage as the flawed studies.

One such study was done by Dr. Robert Spitzer, who led the charge in the 1970’s to remove homosexuality from a list of mental disorders. The results of his study were published in October 2003. Even though his study is one of the most recent published, it is rarely if ever mentioned in media coverage.

Many reputable therapists believe that while genes may be predictive of behavior, environment and choice determine behavior. Because as Paul says, “We were dead in trespasses and sins, ….we are by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:1-4), we each may have certain sins to which we are more inclined than others.

That is why the Bible is so clear that we need to be born again. Temptation will not automatically disappear when we place our trust in Christ, but we will have a new nature and a new power within to deal with the power of sin.

Those who want to insist on genetic determination are perpetuating a tragic myth and robbing those who genuinely want to turn from what they believe to be sin.

While the world may argue and debate this issue, there are thousands among us today who can say, “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25 NKJV).

When you have been privileged to share abundant life with these men and women and have seen the joy in their eyes, when you have seen them achieve dreams they never thought possible, the false claims of special interest groups are easily exposed.

For expert research, articles, and resources into the causes, prevention, and treatment of homosexuality consult NARTH. Their website address is http://www.narth.com. Their telephone number is 818.789.4440 and their address is 16633 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1340, Encino, California, 91436-1801. Exodus International, North America, also has available numerous articles, testimonials, resources, and a list of Member Ministries. Exodus is on the web at http://www.exodus.to, or contact them by telephone at 888.264.0877, or mail at P.O. Box 540119, Orlando, Florida, 32854.

Also, for a more thorough examination see:

Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth by Jeffrey Satinover, Baker Book House, 1996.

Transformed into His Image” by David Kyle Foster, Mastering Life Ministries, 2004, pp 214-217.

101 Frequently Asked Questions About Homosexuality by Mike Haley, Harvest House Publishers, 2004, pp 189-192.