Having been to evangelical churches for more than 12 years, homosexuality has been mentioned in sermons perhaps 3 times. In none of those times was it attacked. At worst, Church is usually non affirming and ignores homosexuality rather than being out-rightly hostile. It is an unrealistic caricature to think of Christians as being rabidly hostile. However, this is the stance that opponents of faith like to portray the church as adopting.
Leading left wing gay columnist, Johann Hari attacks Christianity:
http://www.johannhari.com/2010/08/10/the-slow-whiny-death-of-british-christianity
This kind of bully boy rhetoric is as menacing as bigotry towards gay people. The tone is violent and provocatively offensive and reflects the changing power bases, rather than having much to do with integrity or justice.
Right wing gay columnist Matthew Parris, discusses in his autobiog how the new public gay voice indicates that the battle for gay people has been won already, he notes how society has changed but warns "Gays in particular should be very wary of that message; some of us remember when it was used against us (social norms), and such a time may come again".
So just as some biblical thinking may be out of out of step with today's professed social norms, it has often been this way, and sometimes to the benefit of gay people. A older gay colleague tells me that in the 1970s when public buildings would not open their doors to gay social support groups (in line with the social norms at the time), it was the Churches that often showed the welcome and the acceptance not offered by mainstream society.
If the Church is harassed to the margins on the basis of misunderstanding and bigotry, can we be sure that the secular social alternatives will deliver the equality and respect that is sought after? Public mood is fickle. In the interests of pluralism and diversity: having Christianity as one voice amongst others in the social space surely enriches society without which that social space is poorer?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article861430.ece
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Thursday, 7 April 2011
'Your religion is homophobic'
Homophobia: Irrational fear or hatred of homosexual practice, literally. In practice: negative attitudes towards gay people. The term is problematic for many Christians. It is not a term anyone would want to own. However if a Christian 'disapproves' of same sex sexual relationships then they are labelled thus.
The right wing columnist, Peter Hitchens refers to the term (paraphrased) 'as a type of name calling with pseudo psychological associations which censures any kind of criticism of gay people'.
If Christians take the verses in the bible which disapprove of homosexuality literally, then they are faced with a choice of accepting that the bible is homophobic or wrong.This seems virtually impossible for the evangelical to reconcile either position.
Whilst it may not be accurate or helpful for Christians to be labelled as fearing or hating of gay people: there is a more productive challenge to Christians.Why do some Christians elevate gay sex as being more of a problem than other areas that the bible appears equally clear on:
7 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” (John 8)
(Romans 3:23)for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
In a fallen world, much falls short of perfection: what about divorce, lust, fornication, masturbation, hatred, disrespect, greed, selfishness etc etc?
Jesus challenged: (Matthew 7:23) Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
If we are honest, do we see enough of this?
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Michah 6: 8)
Perhaps when we get the justice right and the mercy right and the humility our hearts may be in the right place to sort out other people's specks.
The right wing columnist, Peter Hitchens refers to the term (paraphrased) 'as a type of name calling with pseudo psychological associations which censures any kind of criticism of gay people'.
If Christians take the verses in the bible which disapprove of homosexuality literally, then they are faced with a choice of accepting that the bible is homophobic or wrong.This seems virtually impossible for the evangelical to reconcile either position.
Whilst it may not be accurate or helpful for Christians to be labelled as fearing or hating of gay people: there is a more productive challenge to Christians.Why do some Christians elevate gay sex as being more of a problem than other areas that the bible appears equally clear on:
7 “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” (John 8)
(Romans 3:23)for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
In a fallen world, much falls short of perfection: what about divorce, lust, fornication, masturbation, hatred, disrespect, greed, selfishness etc etc?
Jesus challenged: (Matthew 7:23) Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
If we are honest, do we see enough of this?
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Michah 6: 8)
Perhaps when we get the justice right and the mercy right and the humility our hearts may be in the right place to sort out other people's specks.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Bigotry against gay people
Discrimination hurts. Prejudice diminishes and degrades. We reduce others and ourselves when we distort humanity for the sake of anger, hatred or fear.
The Christian faith does not justify bigotry.
When Christianity is attacked for being bigoted, something is not right. Do people hide behind their Christianity to justify their bigotry? Are atheists or humanists not capable of bigotry?
Bigotry ought to be separated out from faith, bigots are in all walks of life, all faiths and none. A true Christian is not motivated first by bigotry, but by love.
It is as frustrating for the Christian to be synonymous with bigotry as it is for the Muslim to be associated with terrorism.
The Christian faith does not justify bigotry.
1 John 4:18-20
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us
When Christianity is attacked for being bigoted, something is not right. Do people hide behind their Christianity to justify their bigotry? Are atheists or humanists not capable of bigotry?
Bigotry ought to be separated out from faith, bigots are in all walks of life, all faiths and none. A true Christian is not motivated first by bigotry, but by love.
It is as frustrating for the Christian to be synonymous with bigotry as it is for the Muslim to be associated with terrorism.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Is sexuality fixed?
Is it, or is it on some kind of continuum. Some recent overheard remarks: 'we are all a little bi-sexual...sexual orientation is such a Western concept..this is the 21st century, what does gay mean?'
Could there even be no such thing as sexual orientation?
We love someone, could that be anyone, we love in different ways, we fall out of love with different people. Gay activist, Tom Robinson, met and fell in love with a woman and had children together, 'you can't help who you love', he said.
We have sex, what is sex? Is it the physical sensation that you enjoy? What difference does it make who makes that physical sensation, who does it, male of female?
What of celibacy? People can choose celibacy. What if someone defines themselves as bi sexual, if there are in a committed relationship, they are respecting fidelity: but only with a partner of one sex not both?
Does it matter? Have we got it wrong? Both in the Church and the gay community?
Other cultures have homosexual expressions, but would not label someone gay or straight. Are we not more than our sexuality?
The human rights and gay activist, Peter Tatchell has written at length about the flaws of contemporary thinking around biological determinism as being simplistic and seeming to defensively justify gay people. Such 'science' about genes is accepted as fact and to question it seems modern day heresy. However, perhaps the truth is little more ambiguous, moderate and interesting as the words of Jesus in the previous blog post state: 'some men were born that way, others have been made that way'?
Could there even be no such thing as sexual orientation?
We love someone, could that be anyone, we love in different ways, we fall out of love with different people. Gay activist, Tom Robinson, met and fell in love with a woman and had children together, 'you can't help who you love', he said.
We have sex, what is sex? Is it the physical sensation that you enjoy? What difference does it make who makes that physical sensation, who does it, male of female?
What of celibacy? People can choose celibacy. What if someone defines themselves as bi sexual, if there are in a committed relationship, they are respecting fidelity: but only with a partner of one sex not both?
Does it matter? Have we got it wrong? Both in the Church and the gay community?
Other cultures have homosexual expressions, but would not label someone gay or straight. Are we not more than our sexuality?
The human rights and gay activist, Peter Tatchell has written at length about the flaws of contemporary thinking around biological determinism as being simplistic and seeming to defensively justify gay people. Such 'science' about genes is accepted as fact and to question it seems modern day heresy. However, perhaps the truth is little more ambiguous, moderate and interesting as the words of Jesus in the previous blog post state: 'some men were born that way, others have been made that way'?
Friday, 1 April 2011
Just what did Jesus say about homosexuality?
Jesus, the Alpha & Omega who came to give Life to the full. He is the Way, The Truth & the Life. Is he silent on homosexuality?
Perhaps...Or, could it be that is just what Matthew Chapter 19:12 is about?
12 For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so.
Perhaps...Or, could it be that is just what Matthew Chapter 19:12 is about?
12 For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so.
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