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Thoughts regarding a Christian view of sexual deviation:
The original sin (GN 3:1-6) was Unbelief/Pride (egoism), because disbelieving God’s word (mental illogic) preceded the outward misbehavior of eating the forbidden fruit (PR 16:18). However, Adam and Eve’s subsequent realization and cover-up of their nakedness (v.7) portrays the fact that sexual immorality is a common symptom of spiritual rebellion.
A logical observation of human anatomy teaches that heterosexual intercourse is the natural mode of procreation. It is physically impossible for homosexuals to be married in the biological and biblical sense of becoming “one flesh”. Both homosexual and heterosexual fornication (including adultery) are wrong or harmful to family values. The misery resulting from fornication includes venereal diseases and illnesses such as AIDS, but ungodly people would rather cure the physical disease than their spiritual sickness. The effect is also psychological. A person who is sexually immoral is less likely to become a faithful spouse; someone who has treated sex casually as recreation when dating will not be prone to view intercourse as expressing marital commitment.
Instead of having the wisdom to enjoy sexuality rightly as the bond of marriage and begetting of children, the ungodly idolize fornication and legalize abortion. They use lust to make money by engaging in prostitution or by selling pornographic literature, movies and songs, which teach children to identify adulthood with fornication as well as with fighting, drug abuse and cursing (MT 18:6-9). The causes of fornication also include deficient parenting, a poor environment and genetic traits.
Overcoming sexual corruption (such as incest and pedophilia as well as other misbehaviors and mental conditions such as alcoholism and schizophrenia) is difficult, but possible (MT 19:26), because many people have done so, usually with the help of spiritual conversion, counseling and medical treatment. The fact that we should love and forgive people does not mean we should accept immoral behavior as a “viable alternative lifestyle”. However, all of us are sinners (RM 3:23), so we should be very careful to balance reproof with love. Also, we should note that the Bible specifically prohibits fornication, incest, homosexuality and bestiality, but it does not have a commandment against “autosexuality” or masturbation, which implies that it is not necessarily wrong, although there may be a societal taboo against it.
There are two passages in the NT relevant to the issue of homosexuality. In MT 19:4-5, Jesus cited GN 1:27 and 2:24 in teaching that marriage is the union of a male and female as “one flesh”, and in RM 1:26-27, Paul condemned homosexuality as shameful lusts, unnatural relations and indecent acts. In addition to these biblical passages, the anatomical differences between male and female bodies indicate heterosexual intercourse is the natural mode. Although the cause of gender preference remains unproved per the APA, the design of gender-specific parts implies the appropriate use of those parts as normal.
Although these passages indicate that God intends for people to be heterosexual, He allows homosexuality. The key question is whether homosexuality is always due to sinful choices. Some people advocate homosexuality as a “viable alternative lifestyle”, implying that heterosexuals ought to consider freely choosing to try it, which is wrong. Christians whose homosexual orientation seems not to be freely chosen should agree with the biblical ideal regarding sexuality, and everyone should acknowledge that homosexual “civil unions” are not biblical marriages.
Hopefully, science will find a cure if the cause of homosexuality is genetic, and therapy will help if the cause is environmental during the formative years of life. We all have our cross to bear or issues that we struggle with, because this life is not heaven yet, but God wants to comfort us as we do the reasonable best we can with what we have been given. (Consider the Parable of the Talents in MT 25:14-30). If the homosexual orientation is genetically and/or environmentally caused rather than freely chosen, then God knows and would not condemn or blame the individual for what was not his/her fault. All sin is volitional.
Those who are concerned with the morality of sexuality should have equally loving concern for hetero-sexual wrong-doing. (See RM 1:24&26-27, 1CR 6:9&15-18, 10:8, GL 5:19, EPH 5:31, CL 3:5, 1THS 4:3, HB 12:13, 13:4.) Just as God wants every heterosexual to have only platonic relationships until married, He must also desire every involuntary homosexual to have only platonic relationships. A couple may “fall in love” and express friendship physically, but the line between friendly touching and sexual expression should not be crossed until they are married. Biblical teachings do not prevent two men or two women loving each other and joining their lives together in civil unions or ways other than sexual. In fact, in heaven we will all be one big, happy family which does just that.
What rights and privileges should be accorded civil unions is debatable, but benefits should be equal for comparable situations. Benefits not justifiable on the basis of helping a parent to afford staying at home to raise children should be eliminated. This leads to considering the issue of adoption of children by homosexuals. Qualified (loving, functional) heterosexual married couples should be given first preference for adoption in order to aim at God’s “Plan A” regarding family structure in the NT: a mom, a dad, one or more kids, and perhaps grandparents in the same home. If there are no mom-dad couples available, then less preferable family structures might be considered.
Another issue regarding civil unions is the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy practiced in the military, which seems reasonable for every type of occupation. Perhaps there is no good reason any employer needs to know about the personal life of employees, and accidental disclosure of sexual orientation or activity should not be valid grounds for firing.
In summary, I think the preceding viewpoint is the best compromise on this issue where it is impossible not to impose one’s beliefs on someone else. It is loving toward both homo- and hetero- sexuals. Although sexuality is a good thing when expressed appropriately, often people exaggerate its importance to the point of making it an idol to be worshiped. Sex is not synonymous with love.
GWH