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
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