Burgy wrote,
<<Homosexuality and homosexual activity -- a position statement
This is my statement on a delicate subject, one on which there has been a
lot of heat and little light generated in the past few years.
The issue is homosexual behavior and, in particular, one's attitude
toward it and relationship with persons who one is reasonably sure engage
in it. I have studied the issues fairly thoroughly during the past few
years, and have decided to take a position on it.
A key definition: The word "homosexual" means a person attracted
sexually to persons of the same gender. Such a person may, or may not,
act on that attraction.
It is plain to see that scripture proscribes "perversions," and that
seems to include both homosexual and heterosexual perversions. But there
is the argument that when homosexual activity takes place only in an
adult loving long-term domestic relationship, such activity is NOT
proscribed by scripture, anymore than when heterosexual activity takes
place under the same conditions. This argument does NOT claim that
scripture condones such activity, only that it is silent about it. The
argument is developed well, I think, in a book by the Catholic theologian
Daniel Helmaniak; all the relevant biblical texts are discussed. My notes
and review on that book are on my website at:
http://www.burgy.50megs.com/gay2.htm
Notes on Helmaniak's book and a similar set of notes on a book countering
Helmaniak's arguments by Thomas Schmidt are also at the website at
http://www.burgy.50megs.com/gay3.htm
I've studied those books, and many more, and have engaged in internet
dialog on the subject extensively in the past years. I have come down on
the side of Helmaniak's position. I personally know a number of
homosexual persons, some of whom practice their attraction, and some who
do not. On the basis of both scriptural arguments and knowledge of
people, I must take the position,
unpopular as it may be in American Christianity, that the specific case I
cite above is, as far as I can discern, not a "sin" in the eyes of God.
Helmaniak's scriptural arguments are persuasive in convincing me that the
Bible does not proscribe that case; arguments from scientific findings
all indicate the homosexual condition is caused by a combination of
genetics and upbringing, most probably more the first, and that personal
choice seldom has anything to do with it.
In the end, I have to say my position is not 100% sure; I could be wrong.
I have two choices:
1. I can side with fundamentalist Christianity, Dobson and his FOTF being
one source I might follow, and declare that all homosexual activity of
any kind anywhere is a "sin" in God's eye's, or
2. I can declare that I find no reason to include the specific case I
cite above as "sin."
If I take position 1, and I should have taken position 2, I do grievous
hurt to some of God's people, falsely accusing them of sin where there is
no sin as far as God is concerned. When I do this, I have read into
scripture what is not there; I have added to God's word.
If I take position 2, I may, indeed, be wrong, but I have done no harm to
anyone. I have failed, it might be argued, to have studied and understood
God's word as much as I should, but then, that is probably true of all of
us anyway. So even if I were 50:50 on the issue, I'd have to select
position 2.
Feel free to challenge me on any of the above; I am used to talking about
it and I think I can respect all opinions. I'd be delighted if you'd
"buy" my position, but it is enough if you just hold it as a "live
option" in your own thinking.
John W. Burgeson
Stephen Minister
Denver, Colorado
8-7-2001
>>
In another place Burgy wrote:
<< I am working on classifying people differently -- those who are (or want
to be) sexually monogamous and those otherwise. That allows me to see the
first as "OK" and the second class as "in sin" as far as sexual issues
are concerned.
>>
Good point, Burgy. I'm with you all the way on your position on
homosexuality. I come at the issue more from an experiential perspective
than a theological one. In the church in which I formerly worshipped before
I relocated, gays were welcomed to all levels of participation. We had, and
they still have, a Lesbian as an associate pastor. There were also a number
of committed gay couples, with however, no gay marriages. These people as a
group exemplified as many or more Christian graces as any heterosexual
couples.
Anti-gays tend to focus on and condemn the sexual aspects of the homosexual
life style. That is somewhat of an issue, to be sure, but hardly the whole
story. The gay people in my former church were all very ordinary people,
struggling with jobs and taxes, keeping up their houses, participating in
church life, voting, walking their pets. Sex for them plays a role in their
lives not much different from us heteros.
My encouragement goes out to you. God bless.
Bob
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