Homosexuality: What’s up with the gay bashing?
Chapter 12: The Confessional Booth is the most inspirational chapter in Dan Merchant’s book “Lord Save Us From Your Followers.” It shows us the best in people when the worst was expected. Merchant set up a confessional booth in the middle of Gay Pride Northwest festivities in Portland, OR and confessed his and the Church’s sins against gays and lesbians to whoever entered the booth. He shared that in the past, “I have been offended by homosexuals, I have made fun of them, I have mocked them, I have judged them, I have been disgusted by them, I have made myself feel superior to them, I have ignored their pains, I have contributed to their pain. I have forgotten that their sin is no worse than my sin. I have forgotten that any homosexual is just like me – a child of God.” One could have expected this list of grievances to raise the ire of the mainly gay and lesbian participants, but the opposite occurred. It incited sympathy, thankfulness, tears, and sharing of experiences. It brought forth real emotional healing without anyone attempting to say, “I’m right and you’re wrong.”
Merchant went out of his way not to get drawn into the argument of I’m right and your wrong because that was not the point of his book, to take sides on the wedge issue of homosexuality. In opening this discussion, however, I must cross that line, jump into the fray because I want to dismiss a few arguments made by people regarding homosexuals. In doing this I risk making the same mistake Merchant made in his confession by generalizing a group and passing judgment on them. Merchant’s friend, Tony Kriz, made a good point when he said, “If you love somebody we go out of our way to learn the best of who they are. And when you caricature someone you’re saying, ‘I don’t care enough to actually know you.'” Let us try and remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and that I am speaking to incite discussion, not wrath. So, into the fray…
First off, if you are uncomfortable with homosexuality because “it’s not what I’m used to” or “it’s not how I was raised”, that’s fine, but that’s your problem, not theirs. Because you see it as “icky” simply means you haven’t matured much past fifth grade sex-ed when saying
vagina made the room snicker. It’s time to grow up and open your mind. Why shouldn’t gay and lesbian couples have the right to be married in the eyes of the law and be able to share in spousal benefits that straight married couples enjoy? A gay couple’s want to marry does not infringe on our rights and does not despoil the institution of marriage. Marriage is a sign of love and an outward symbol of two people’s devotion to each other. It has nothing to do with the sexual orientation. And besides, with the divorce rate around 50%, why shouldn’t homosexuals get a crack at marriage? Obviously straight couples haven’t figured out the secret to marriage bliss. I have faith that the nation’s attitude regarding same sex marriage is beginning to
change.
The argument “homosexuality is not natural” doesn’t hold water. If you are simply referring to the fact that it is impossible to conceive a child homosexually, then you are correct (unless you’re a worm, but then you’d be hermaphroditic, so… nevermind). If, though, you mean that male plus female equals
natural coupling, well, then you’re wrong. There are many examples of animals in nature that perform homosexual acts (whales, apes, birds) whether it be for the reason of exhibiting dominance, in the absence of the opposite sex, or as a form of adolescent play. And if it happens in nature, guess what, it’s
natural.
I’m not a child of the 60’s, but I agree with the statement, “Make Love, Not War.” I think it’s a very powerful positive Christ-like statement. I would put it right up there with the Golden Rule,
treat others as you wish to be treated, and John 8:7,
let he who hath not sinned cast the first stone. We must remember that it is not our responsibility to pass judgment on other’s sins, something our outspoken religious leaders have forgotten. None of us is anointed by God to condemn homosexuals, our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should all try to be more open and loving of our neighbor. Then at day’s end maybe we can say we’ve earned the title of
Christian.
The gauntlet has been thrown down. The floor is open for comment. Peace out, Man!
