Correspondence with a Gay Friend

This is my latest response to my gay friend’s blog:http://dseiple.blogspot.com/2010/10/society-and-homosexuality.html?

Asking me to surrender the “history’s-verdict-against-homosexual-behavior” argument is like asking a diva to surrender her song. My primary concern is to demonstrate that there has always been an overwhelming price to pay for same-sex sex, whatever the culture, whatever the time and even whatever the degree of social acceptability it has achieved.

Admittedly, some of my argumentation is weak. History doesn’t pass on many numbers/stats regarding homosexuality’s physical, emotional, and social down-side, but it does give us some idea of the extensive chorus of voices raised up against this practice. Is it simply a matter of the fact that all the major religions and societies have largely forbidden this practice merely out of prejudice, or because of the perceived destruction brought on by this institution? We might also ask the question why has adultery (even in male dominated societies) and pedophilia been universally forbidden? Isn’t it because of the havoc they have wrecked on the family and consequently on society!

Moreover, this proscription agrees with all our other data. You might call studies, such an Ulwin’s, “antiques” of history, but this is just what history is! The antiquity of their investigation makes them no less valid!

Although we both agree that homosexuality has a long history, I’ve challenged you to show me what personal or social good has come out of it. There are a number of ways that you could possibly make your case. We find churches on every corner of the city. Their members boast that their churches have raised up their grandparents, parents and now their children. They have fed the poor and visited the sick. Where are the gay institutions which have a long-standing reputation as beacons in their communities? Can you find them in any nation?

It was the church that started our hospitals and our Harvards, Princetons, Yales, Dartmouth and Browns as Bible schools. Where are the venerable gay institutions?

Looking at families – what happens when traditional sexual taboos are violated (where sons sex their mothers or fathers their sons and daughters or brothers sex their brothers)? And why shouldn’t what is potentially very pleasurable – free sexuality – be universally promoted? It is almost inevitable that when these taboos are violated, there are severe consequences.

We find these consequences prevalent in the gay community. We need go no further than their diminished lifespan. However, we also note the psychological torment that so many gays carry within themselves. I had mentioned the gay man who wanted to lash out at the churches, because they were unwilling to endorse his lifestyle. This is a response characteristic of many gays. When gay marriage was voted down in NY congress, gay organizations wanted to get names and addresses of those congressmen who had voted against this bill in order to intimidate.

We also saw this very same thing in the wake of the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Gay groups obtained the names of those had promoted the bill and launched a campaign of intimidation and vandalism and them. Why?

When I was a parole officer, I had an overwhelming number of parolees in one particular town – a welfare town that had more bars per capita than any other town. However, there was an oddity about these town-folk that outsiders couldn’t help noting. They would always inform you about how proud they were of their town – a pride in stark contrast with its decaying streets and the drugged-up population. Clearly, their “pride” was no more than obstinate, corporate denial.

GLBT people are clearly conflicted and tormented, living in a way that violates their human nature. It is also clear that they try to drown-out this torment through denial and assertions of “gay pride.”

I can understand this. I too had been tormented by tsunamis of guilt and shame. I therefore resented those who I “perceived” regarded me with the disdain with which I secretly indicted myself. Subsequently, I’ve come to see that,

• “Fear of man [his opinions] will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)

As I’ve grown to trust in my Savior and in the confidence in His love and forgiveness – His comforting opinions of me – I’ve gained a freedom from what others might think of me.

Please try an experiment! Jesus had proclaimed that if anyone wanted to know the truth, this person should try doing His will (John 7:17). Here’s what His will is about:

• “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13-14)

None of us are perfect – miles from it – and so we ALL need a Savior who will mercifully love and forgive us. And we must come on His terms, as little children!