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Homosexual Acts or HOMOSEXUAL Persons?

The present debate about homosexuality is going nowhere. One of the reasons is that each side is using the word "homosexual" with a different meaning. To one group, homosexuality is all about sexual activity between persons of the same sex, male or female. To the other group, homosexuality is about a kind of person who is characterized by a certain "sexual orientation", quite separate from any sexual activity. The result of this dichotomy of concepts is that each set of arguments and logic flies right past the heads of the other group. It is like arguing apples and oranges.

It is suggested that a more precise definition of terms would lead to a new set of arguments which would show much more agreement between the two sides than we have recognized. It should be noted that the word "homosexual" was first used in the late 19th century. Since there is no equivalent word in any ancient language, the word "homosexual" did not appear in any Bible published before the 20th Century. It has only been since the 1950s that some of the new versions began to use the word "homosexual" (see I Cor. 6:9, 10). Since there was no word in the original Biblical texts that means HOMOSEXUAL, it almost borders on the dishonest for translators and publishers to use it. We would do well to hear the comments published in the March/April 2002 issue of the BRF Witness: "...the newer translations seek to introduce that which was not in the original. This is done, not for Biblical accuracy, but to appeal to current theological and linguistic fads."

In the following discussion, the word "homosexual" acts is spelled in low case, while "HOMOSEXUAL" persons is capitalized. Note these points:

  1. The concept of "HOMOSEXUALITY" did not exist in ancient times. Therefore, homosexual acts were presumed to have been carried out by Heterosexual persons. This would include the active partners (the initiators) as well as the passive partners (the victims). Most Biblical references to same-sex activities should be seen in this light. Certainly the case of the male visitors to Lot's home in the village of Sodom is an example of Heterosexual activity. The men of the village were seen to be asserting their authority by "raping" any male visitors who came to town. (Incidentally, it never happened!)
  2. A parallel to this would be that not all persons who engage in homosexual acts are HOMOSEXUALS. Most cases of child abuse, whether homosexual or heterosexual, are perpetrated by Heterosexual persons, both male and female. I think it is clear that the gang rapes of prisoners in jails is done by "macho type" heterosexuals who have no other form of sexual release.
  3. HOMOSEXUALS engage in a wide variety of sexual activities, just like Heterosexual persons. Just as we do not condone every kind of sexual activity by Heterosexual persons, we cannot condone every kind of sexual activity by HOMOSEXUALS. I think this is a crucial point, for it seems that conservatives feel that the liberals are condoning and defending all kinds of homosexual activity.
  4. Simply participating in homosexual activities does not make a person HOMOSEXUAL. It is likely that a person cannot be seduced into becoming a HOMOSEXUAL. A HOMOSEXUAL orientation is fixed early in life and can rarely be changed. This is a part of who a person "is". Studies have shown that many adolescent and pre-adolescent boys have engaged in sex play with other boys without having any affect on their adult sex life.
  5. There is a great deal of research on the origin of HOMOSEXUALITY in the fields of medicine, psychology, sociology, biology (genetics) and other areas of scientific research. Ministers and other leaders in congregations should make some effort to keep up with this research. We all know that modern science has provided us with many new insights and discoveries about ourselves, our world, and the universe in which we live. Sometimes this new knowledge causes us to revisit some of our favorite Biblical verses to seek a new interpretation.
  6. Any time our interpretation of the Bible is challenged, we feel threatened. A classic example is the way that the discoveries of Copernicus, Galileo and Newton caused us to change our view of the earth as the center of the universe. Because a number of Bible verses were based on the assumption that the sun moved around the earth, many church leaders responded angrily against these scientists. Some scientists and mathematicians were killed by the church for their beliefs. In 1633, the Pope condemned Galileo to house arrest. In our time, Pope John Paul II appointed a high-level commission to study the "Galileo affair". They presented their report in 1992. In effect, the Catholic Church admitted they erred in the handling of the Galileo case. The Pope, in a speech given November 4, 1992, said: "It is a duty for theologians to keep themselves regularly informed of scientific advances in order to examine if such be necessary, whether or not there are reasons for taking them into account in their reflection or for introducing changes in their teaching." This would be good advice for all protestant ministers as well.
  7. I think we should all go slow in presenting "proof texts". It sounds like we, and we alone, are obeying the Bible, the entire Bible. We don't, of course. We are often selective when we pick out a text to illustrate our total commitment to the Bible. We usually overlook hundreds of equally binding laws found in the Bible. For example, the Bible very clearly forbids sexual intercourse during the seven days of the menstrual period (Lev. 18:19; 15:19-24). Anyone violating this "rule" was to be "cut off", i.e., killed, usually by stoning, burning, or strangling, or sometimes just flogged or expelled. (Lev. 18:29) Are we going to send out a night squad to observe the bedrooms of our church members? Are we going to keep a record as to when each woman of our congregation begins her menstrual period? Again, when's the last time you heard a sermon on the sin of wearing clothing made of a polyester/cotton blend? (Lev. 19:19) By the way, it also says (same verse) that you shall not cross-breed your cattle (no hybrids) or plant two kinds of seed in the same field. Hundred of prohibitions like these are to be found in the Bible. Oh, the sins we commit and know not thereof.
  8. Since the HOMOSEXUAL orientation is part of the nature of a person, we could very well say that is the way God made them. It is, therefore, not appropriate to speak of the homosexual life style. It is not a sin to be a HOMOSEXUAL. All persons, including HOMOSEXUALS, make many choices about how they will live their lives. Each person determines his or her own lifestyle. Many Heterosexuals have life styles that we cannot accept. HOMOSEXUALS may also have personal life styles equally unacceptable to many of us.
  9. Except for their sexual orientation, HOMOSEXUALS are exactly like everyone else. Some HOMOSEXUALS have meaningful religious experiences, real "born again Christians", and they wish to join churches and participate like everyone else. We ought to be critical of HOMOSEXUALS (and Heterosexuals) who choose a life style that includes such unacceptable sexual activities as rape, child abuse, exhibitionism, promiscuity, etc. We should also be willing to accept Homosexuals as members of our churches if they commit themselves to follow Jesus and his teachings. We should not put any restrictions or conditions on a HOMOSEXUAL member that we would not put on a Heterosexual member.
  10. Sometimes two HOMOSEXUAL persons come to love each other and desire to share their lives in a monogamous, committed life together. Should the church bless this union? Only if the couple meets all the criteria the church uses to bless any union of two people. If I were a pastor, I would probably not marry any couple unless they consented to counseling and met the usual criteria of love and commitment to each other. Likewise, I would not officiate at a same-gender covenant commitment service unless the two partners consented to counseling and met the usual criteria of love and commitment to each other. The church needs to celebrate love wherever it is found. "...all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jesus).

Epilogue

By breaking the subject up into a series of sub-units, it is easier to respond to specific aspects of the question of HOMOSEXUALITY (homosexuality). I would guess that there could be disagreements within most of these sections without stirring strong emotional responses. The last two points represent areas where some people in our churches might have to "give a little". Others might have to "give a little" by preaching more about the Biblical roots of our commonly accepted moral and ethical standards. I firmly believe that the power of love which holds us together is stronger that the effect of any disagreement which would tend to tear us asunder. Brethren, let us all "strive to build up the church".

If this paper provides a new basis for discussion and debate between those who differ on this question, I will be pleased. Peace.

William R. Eberly
Wreberly@ctlnet.com
June 6, 2002, rev. August, 2002

Voices For an Open Spirit