From: George Murphy (gmurphy@raex.com)
Date: Mon Jul 21 2003 - 12:30:17 EDT
Sondra Brasile wrote:
>
> Thomas,
>
> I was referring to the part in the discussion where homosexuality was
> (maybe) "found to be genetic", if I used the wrong term, I'm sorry. I
> thought if it was "genetic" it was considered a natural inclination. What I
> am referring to of course is always after "the fall", not before, of course
> our perfect created selves are not born with any sinful inclinations, I
> guess (except the right to choose to disobey God) hmmm this has triggered
> some thoughts I need to explore, thanks.
>
> The rest of the post was referring to certain list members that seem to
> believe that if it is in a persons genetic code, it is like being black or
> white, you cannot change the fact, therefore how can God condemn the 'acting
> out' on who you are?
Sondra et al -
One thing about this topic of homosexuality that nobody on this list seems to
have addressed (that I recall) is that, if evolutionary theory is right (& I think it
is), then human beings didn't start out as "perfect created selves." Nor does scripture
teach this. (Yes, I know about Ez.28:11-19.)
If, as seems to be the case, some people have a non-volitional inclination
homosexual orientation, whether strictly genetic or not, then this is probably one
consequence of the evolutionary process through which God has created them. This does
not mean that such an orientation is God's ultimate intention for them, but simply that
God does not override the natural processes involved in evolution. In the same way, God
does not override the processes that result in hereditary diseases of various sorts.
This cuts both ways as far as a theological evaluation of homosexuality is
concerned. OTOH we cannot simply make the traditional appeal to what is "natural" to
condemn homosexuality, for homosexual inclination is apparently "natural" for some
people. OTOH, the argument by homosexuals that "God made me this way" is not
compelling. A person suffering from cystic fibrosis can also say "God made me this way"
but in neither case does "God made me this way" equate to "This is how God finally wants
me to be."
Taking evolution seriously does not answer the question of whether or not
the church should give some degree of acceptance to active homosexuals. But it part of
the reality that has to be taken into account in dealing with the question.
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
gmurphy@raex.com
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
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