InsideOut RSS FeedHomosexuality and the Church's Poor Judgement
I belong to a church that believes that practicing homosexual acts is not God's best plan... and I completely disagree with them. Some might (and others have) asked why I continue to be a part of this family and my answer is as follows: I might find another church that will agree with my beliefs on this issue. Yet, I'm quite sure that once there, I will also find a different topic in which we will disagree.
Do I leave every church in which I do not agree 100%? That, I believe, is naive. I doubt that even if there is a general consensus, that I would believe absolutely everything on every level. The only way I MIGHT find a church like this is if I start one myself, create a dictatorship of beliefs, which only I can create, and invite others to follow. Given time, however, it might also be true that five years from now I won't even agree with what I believe today and then where would that leave me?
I do not always agree with my husband, yet we live in harmony and in love and respect for each other. So then, should I not become a part of ANY relationship in fear of disagreeing? This would separate me from any hope for family. Any hope for having a relationship with one single person would be lost. This would bring me towards solitude and this, for me, is not an option. Not for one's whole life, anyways.
So, I recently listened to a seminar from my church called, "Is being gay a sin". From the moment it began to about half way through it, I felt freedom for my homosexual friends and wanted to scream with excitement. What I had once suspected became evidently true: the teacher of the church I belong to has come to the conclusion from the "bisexual orientation theory" that (and I quote), "it appears to be most biblical that we can swing either side.... and this is liberating."
Well, I just couldn't believe it! The more I listened the more I was CONVINCED he has given all reason to stop judging the rights of those who are in love and who practice a form of sexuality, which, not only allows two adults to come together without hurting one soul, but also, allows for freedom within the family of Christ-followers who have rejected them for so long.
But, yet as I listened to the conclusions of this particular message, it appears that the misinterpreted, misaligned, historically confined words in a book has yet again taken away from all logic, from all ideals of love that Jesus promoted time and time again, that takes away from all perfect judgement (which only God can truly give) and have placed it into the hands of authors who were homophobic at best in this regard. The church has turned the authors of the bible into gods. What these authors have spoken has become our very own personal-interpreted god; giving those in "power" and those who claim to have the keys to heaven, the ability to breathe death into the very souls of those whom God is calling to be his. Creating now, even if it were true, not one who knows God and who merely "sins" like the rest of us, but now however, have created a huge group of hurting people who want nothing to do with the God in which they are preached to come to. God is very clear on this. Do not put other gods before me. And yet here we sit. Allowing the words of a few handfuls of men to dictate, predicate, and in the end, eradicate any form of humanity that did not live up to the standards of their time, their culture, and their own historical discord.
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I'd like to think that who you find here really isn't me at all. I don't find there to be a whole lotta fun in this blog. That just wasn't the point of it. Rather, there's just a whole lotta depth. I would like to think that the real me is a lot more spontaneous and carefree. What you see here is a facet of my craziness. If you know me or meet me, I'm not so solemn. I'm not so straight or even so spoken.
All this, not to say that I can't be. But, that's just a small part. I will always be analytical. I just won't always be so serious. ;)
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Comments
A couple comments on your
A couple comments on your blog:
I also believe that practicing homosexual acts is not God's best plan (a value my church holds also, which is important to me) but that doesn't make me homophobic - in the definition of the word of being hateful or fearful of - though I'd be heartsick should my own flesh and blood follow that path.
Judgment in itself is not wrong. If we didn't make (many) judgment calls daily, we'd put ourselves at risk, our children wouldn't learn right from wrong - it's how we make decisions on all aspects of living. Personal judgment includes that of the intents and attitudes of our heart. Lack of it doesn't automatically constitute freedom. For anyone. Christ's example was one of judgment given with love, yes: it also meant change, consequence, confession.
I am thankful for a book, the Bible, with teachings and tenets to help me make judgments towards my own journey of a life of freedom. I live far below perfection, but I believe in reading this book - and hearing those who study and share from it. The bible was written by men, yes, but Creator-designed with a message of hope for what to do with the sin condition - of mine and the world. I believe this is a wiser choice than the thinking and logic of my own god-self.
Well, case in point. Here is
Well, case in point. Here is an email I received from B today. He said I could post it if I like... and I like. ;) I don't have time right now to post a response to anyone's thoughts quite yet. I have them in my head, it's just a matter of finding time to get them all out on "paper". Both B and I had time to talk over the phone after he sent this email (he's away for two weeks). He is helping me (as usual) put words to my thoughts and get out what I really want to say as I say it here to the open world.
Oh, and I especially like the part where he calls me "brilliant". *smile*
Hey babe,
I checked out your blog. Very interesting. The one thing I'm trying to get my head around is the idea that God's original intention was the union between man and woman. Granted we must first believe that the biblical account of creation and the genesis of our world is accurate before we can ascertain that man and woman was God's first idea. As far as how God views homosexuality now is another question. If heterosexual union is God's first choice, then is homosexual union God's second choice? Or is homosexual union the independent choice of humans due to our "corrupt" nature. If someone is "born" gay, does that mean that God created them to have a second rate existence, never fully experiencing the wholeness of being attracted to the opposite sex? Wouldn't God create everyone with his original design, wiring us to want that which is opposite from ourselves? If we believe that our world is fallen and corrupt then all of us are born dirty in need of someone to clean us up. If someone is born gay, then is that considered part of the dirt that accompanies a world full of sin and hurt? This might be an acceptable conclusion if it was anything other than a human being who feels and needs to find acceptance in who they are. Who wants to feel as though their gayness is an inherent sin that they can't do anything about, except deny it or fight hard against it.
As far as the writers of the bible go, you are making some fairly strong accusations there. I don't know exactly how to interpret all of scripture, nor am I an historian who grasps the details of time and people. For what it's worth, I think the bible is an important book for humanity, but I don't think we have fully experienced or fully understood the teachings within it. Certainly God is far bigger than anything written about him. It makes logical sense that a book could never fully describe someone or explain who they are. Knowing someone's heart and mind requires talking to them and being in their presence. To me, that seems like the best way to get to know someone. I could have never married you unless I spent enough time with you experiencing life together. Merely reading your emails only gives me a snap shot of your brilliant mind. But am I only marrying a mind or a full human being? In the same way, reading the bible is only the starting point to experiencing the actual presence of God or his son Jesus.
It would be a lot easier if the bible were mute on the subject of homosexuality. And it would be nice if humans just showed up on the planet without any reference to gender or preference for the opposite sex. I think somewhere in my mind I think being gay is dirty. Do I think that because it's true, or is it the same homophobic response that most of our culture feels and have been conditioned to feel? Regardless of whatever it is I feel in my small subjectivity, I do believe that we have made a bigger deal out of homosexuality then God has. I think we feel the need to control the outcome of how gay people are to be judged, as if we have it all figured out. We are scared of truly opening our doors and hearts to just love them like anyone else and share our lives with them, both in and outside the church.
I also don't think it's appropriate to condemn the church for not accepting the gay community. I also don't think we should judge the church for misinterpreting scripture or elevating the authors of scripture into god-like positions. When we do that, we are taking the place of God and we are no better then the ones we are condemning, even if it is only in our hearts, or in your case your words! Also, how do you know that you are correct in your biblical interpretation? How can you be so certain in your own wisdom and logic? There is no denying that you are a woman rich with wisdom and deep in knowledge. I would only advise you to be careful in how you process your thoughts and passion in this area. If anything, act out the convictions you have and let your actions show the love in your heart for those who have been abandoned by the "church". I'm sure your time with your friend was great and maybe you helped her in her perspective and past hurts.
I love you Dawna and I am encouraged by your desire to know the true heart of God. Let that be the thing people remember about you.
Brad
I have a different
I have a different background than you, obviously, but I am roughly in the same situation. I am, technically, catholic, don't agree with everything my church says but stick with it nonetheless the same way I stick by family members and friends even when we have disagreements. In the past few years, I have spent much time trying to figure out if there is a church that would be better suited to my beliefs, and I ended up to the same conclusions as you, DT, I would agree on some subjects, but always there would be things I would not agree with.
That said, I must admit I find it somewhat funny to hear any protestant say we should not doubt the church... let's face it, the protestants "reforms" (I prefer secession, since reform would have meant they would have made changes to the church, not separated form it) were done because people started thinking for themselves and saw that the catholic church was not 100% perfect. Guess what? 500 years later, we can definitely look back and say that those other, newer churches don't have the ultimate truth either. Let's remember that the dogma that Jesus was God wasn't settled until the 4th century, by a group of men. Human beings are highly faillible, and since the winners write history, who can say without a shade of a doubt that their conclusion was right? And what about all the other doctrines? Only God and Jesus could tell us. Remember how Jesus kept telling his disciples something in the lines of "You just don't get it" about pretty much everything... so although I want to believe Jesus, I wont take the interpretation given by his followers for granted.
If we want to stick to the canonical gospels, Jesus keeps telling us several times not to judge, that this is God's job. Well when it comes to homosexuality, that's how I feel, let's not judge, let's love them with all our heart and accept them. As far as I can remember, Jesus himself doesn't mention homosexuality. Paul does, but who are we to take Paul's word over that of Jesus, really? I would not consider it for a minute. If you want to say that the old testament mentions continuously how bad sodomy is, then where do you cross the line between the old testament rules that have to stand after the coming of Jesus and those who don't? After all, Jesus said that he was not there to undo the law but to fulfill it (I can't remember the wording... but being a translation, it's not so important). But thanks to people like Paul, the religion Jesus was practicing was changed, rules were adapted to make it more palatable to the non-jewish crowds. Who does circumcise? Who does eat kosher? No one. Either you follow the rules, or you don't.
I know I rambled for long, but the point is, from the earliest times, people have taken and chosen what they want to make church what they want it to be. Viewed that way, yes, the church can definitely be questionned. What matter is not what the church says but what God and Jesus say.