Gay Rights and the Christian Church

This is not about fearing or hating gays or attacking them for a personal agenda. Devout Christians who hold to a strict interpretation of the Bible believe they have a moral obligation to take a stand against homosexuality. Pastors and other Christians who have regular associations with gays often develop friendships and respect for the individuals. However, the same can be said for those who adopt heterosexual lifestyles that do not involve matrimony.

This does not mean that they accept the way the person lives out their sexual life. Many have prayed with and counseled numerous gay individuals. Over time, the uncomfortable feeling with the difference in lifestyle subsides. Once gays can be viewed as people, compassion and caring can be a real part of the effort to help the person.

Some are looking for forgiveness and help to change their sexual life. Others are seeking ways to be cleansed from sin without making a change. Regardless of your position on whether homosexuality is a choice or is wired in by genetics, those who take a literal view of the Bible will not be able to offer salvation without setting aside the gay lifestyle.

Are they born this way? It would be unrealistic to say that no one could be born with an attraction to the same sex. With billions of people walking this planet, anything is possible. It is probably also true that many people are born with physiological leanings toward alcohol and drugs.

Fundamentalist Christians see no problem in trying to help these people overcome various addictions. In fact, society tends to consider them heroic if they do. Most addicts are tipped over into their dependence by life situations that they feel have exceeded their coping ability. Whether you personally accept this or not, many Christians view homosexuality in the same way.

According to the Bible, it is not a natural alternative lifestyle. Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up for this. The Old Testament law made it clear that it was an offense punishable by death. So was adultery. Christians still do not sanction adultery. Couples still regularly separate and divorce over this. In the New Testament, the first chapter of the book of Romans talks about the sinfulness of men and women who burn with lust for their own sex and calls them reprobate.

Usually, it is not the gay vs straight that is the problem. The problem for most gays is that the gay community tends to be more supportive that the straight community. When people want to change their orientation, they find it difficult partly because when they need a friend, their gay friends step up. They do not just come forward to retrieve a wayward gay, but show genuine concern for the problems of their friend.

Christians could take a lesson from that book. However, it does not lessen the message of the Bible. The responsibility to serve God lies within the person not the group. Christians must become more accepting of the people but not the sexual orientation. People with other problems are embraced and not kicked to the curb. The responsibility is to love the gays and extend a hand to help those who choose change as the preferred option.