Let me start this by making some things very clear... I am not a theologian or a social expert or overly wise nor overly educated. I speak for no one but myself. I do not intend to offend anyone. I'm simply looking for answers to very complex questions.
Consider this an open internal discussion with myself, so this may take a while. Be patient with me.
Now, to start I'm speaking socially, not religiously... as the social landscape of our country continues to polarize, I've seen a growing separation of a segment of society from Christianity. That segment? Gay Americans.
I'm not sure if it's the gay rights movement distancing themselves from Christianity because of the Bible's take on homosexual behavior or the Christians distancing themselves from homosexuals because of the current political climate and issues such as gay marriage, hate crime legislation, etc. Either way it seems as if American Gays can't be Christian anymore.
And as a Christian, that bothers me.
Christianity, by definition and faith, must accept homosexuals as fellow members of the body of Christ. We are called, as with everyone else on the planet and no matter what their sexual orientation, to embrace the sinner without embracing the sin.
My concern is that if we, socially, are partially responsible for gay Americans feeling as if Christianity has no place for them, then we may also be responsible, morally before God, for the ripple effect on their souls as well.
Equally, Christianity is not a buffet where you can pick and choose what you will and will not follow. You either believe the Bible or you don't. It is either the Word of God or it is not. You either believe Jesus was the Messiah or you don't.
So, then, what are the options for gays who were raised and want to continue to be Christian in today's America?
That's a tough question. I'm not gay, so I cannot speak from personal experience, but I have many friends who are gay and we've talked about homosexuality, faith and personal choices over the years.
But, if I were gay, what would I do with Leviticus 18:22 saying "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination."
All of my gay friends express the belief that they were "born gay." Some people would argue the validity to that, but lets say, for the sake of discussion, that people are "born gay."
So, the question I would be asking myself if I were gay is why would God create someone predisposed to abomination? Since I have some very dear friends of mine that are gay, that question has bothered me for a very long time and after a lot of thought and prayer, this is what I've come up with so far...
First, let me say that being born with any predisposition does not remove one from moral consequence.
Not to equate, but merely for an example, my oldest brother, who has since passed on, was born with an inability to feel guilt. He did what he wanted and could not grasp the effect of his actions on others, so he would use people. Psychologist were clear with my parents that he didn't have anything in his makeup that would teach him empathy. He was "born unempathetic." But, just because he was born without empathy does not relinquish him from his moral responsibility and the sins he committed when he was just "being himself."
If people are truly born gay and Leviticus is also in accordance with God, then God must have an option, a plan, a goal for homosexuals that is in keeping with His Word. There must be a path for them to salvation. Could it be a gift in some way?
Could it be the greatest of opportunities to sacrifice one's very being to God? Of course, sexuality is not the totality of one's identity, but it is a very important aspect of who we are. Is God offering homosexuals the same opportunity for grace as would someone who joins the religious life and who similarly offers up their sexuality?
I don't know. But, it's the only thing that makes sense to me, if people are truly born gay. Perhaps God is offering them a great, albeit difficult, opportunity for greatness in faith by sacrificing an important part of their life for Him. We are all called, as participants in the Body of Christ, to take up our own crosses and follow Him. Is this the cross being offered homosexuals?
For example, cannot someone born predisposed to cancer praise God by offering up their cancer to Him and, through their sacrifice, show the rest of us an example of true, strong faith? Cannot someone born with a chronic illness, such as Crohns disease, praise God through how they handle the sacrifices required for the rest of their life due to the disease? Does not a nun or priest publicly display their faith by their chastity?
The other option is that no one is born gay and some other series of circumstances are somehow responsible. From what I can gather, science is not clear on this issue one way or another. The nature vs. nurture argument has been going on for a very long time, sexual orientation included.
As for my faith, Catholicism, it is very clear on sexuality. It does not subscribe to the "born gay" theory, but it is also very clear that homosexuals should be welcomed into the faith.
Homosexuals must "be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition" or orientation.
According to my faith, homosexuals are "called to chastity" and through friendship, prayer and sacramental grace can "gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection."
Those are pretty powerful words and they apply to all of us in one way or another. We are called to be Christ-like, to reach for Christian perfection. Our "chastity" may not be sexual, it could be material or physical or mental or spiritual, but the calling is the same.
So, where does that leave me? Well, concerned for the souls of our country.
I don't like our country right now. Thoughtful, considerate discussion about important moral subjects has reverted to knee-jerk extremist banter with an immediate condemnation and intolerance of anyone not tolerant of their own beliefs. People are immediately put into offensively narrow buckets, such as "extreme liberal secularists" or "far right-wing Christians", and such labeling only solidifies our opposition and division, instead of finding common ground with which to discuss the subject further.
We, as a country, are better than that. We, as Christians, are called to be better than that.
Whether you are Catholic or Protestant or Jewish, your faith is a combination of beliefs to which you either wholly subscribe or you don't. You can't be 80% Catholic or 92% Protestant. We should all be well versed in our faith and decide whether we can live up to all of it's belief elements and expectations. So, I can't change nor do I want my faith to change and I can't change the Bible. Christianity and its foundation is what it is. But that doesn't mean we can't discuss homosexuality intelligently, compassionately and civilly. And it certainly doesn't mean that anyone, including homosexuals, are excluded from Christ's salvation.
The end result of it is that if any Christian chooses not to lead a fully Christian life, including sexually, than that is on each of our own individual souls.
However, we as Christians have to do a better job of being Christ-like when it comes to homosexuality in America today. And homosexuals should be equally open to the discussion of Christ's salvation in their lives.
As stated before, we should embrace the sinner without embracing the sins. That's the essence of being a Christian.
Don't we all expect the same from our Savior when it comes to our own sins?
Those are my thoughts at the moment. As you can see, I don't have answers. I am not speaking for anyone else but me. I'm just trying to figure this subject out in my own head. I will continue to read and pray and work to understand more about this complex and sensitive issue. I hope God will enlighten me further.
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