The Macon Statement

OPINION: Some controversial but constructive thoughts on homosexuality

By Rev. Chris Fuller
Guest columnist

I have been disturbed recently with the issue of homosexuality, and I think everybody is off target. It is a significant issue for our day. I seriously doubt that the homosexual population is close to 10%, as some homosexual groups advocate, but it remains statistically significant. This article will make you mad no matter what you believe. If you cannot handle difficult or controversial issues, DO NOT READ THIS! However, if you are prepared for controversial thought, plow ahead. These are my personal convictions.

First, the church must wake up. Homosexuals are people! History is replete with examples of folks with one set of laws/values/standards classifying another set as an abomination or vermin or less-than-human. This is fundamentally wrong. As far as that goes, every person on this planet, no matter what they believe or do, is human. They are all capable of love, and are all potentially lovable. I believe God loves all of us, even homosexuals. The church and Christians should love as God loves.

Second, since God loves homosexuals, Christians should be caring and kind to them. We should speak out when homosexuals face injustice. Churches should openly welcome anyone who wants to worship. Why not? The church welcomes other people who are sinful because no one is perfect. The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.

If someone is greedy, covetous, gluttonous and had too much to drink, but realizes he needs to worship God, most churches are understanding about letting them participate and welcomes them to the fold. They may not approve of what they did, but they should be welcomed. Remember, loving the person and loving their behavior are very different. Sadly, I find that both Christians and homosexuals find it difficult to make this distinction. The test question for churches desiring to share Christian love: How do you love those who are different? Sadly, some churches do not care for homosexual people.

Third, most homosexuals are born with their homosexual orientation. I believe this because of the historical record. Almost any historian who is in a position to know will tell you that cultures throughout history have had a homosexual constituency. If homosexuality were merely a cultural influence, this would not be true.

People are born with an interest in pre-marital sex and/or adultery, why not other sexual behaviors condemned by God? However, just because people are born with a homosexual orientation does not mean that they should behave according to biological factors. Maybe people are also born with a sexual attraction to children (pedophilia) or animals (bestiality). Should those people be approved to act according to their “natural” attractions? Being natural and being Christian are not the same. Your biology does not have to determine your biography.

Witkin, Mednick, Schulsinger and Bakkestrom did a study on men with two X chromosomes. A female has two X chromosomes and males usually have only an X and a Y chromosome. But some men have a Y chromosome and two X chromosomes. It was found that an above average number of prison inmates had these two X chromosomes. Scientists initially believed that this extra chromosome caused criminal behavior until further studies revealed that a statistically significant number of top corporate executives had two X chromosomes.

It was discovered that the additional X chromosome was related to their aggressive behavior and not criminal behavior. So, people with two X chromosomes are created by God with a quality that can be used for good or bad. Homosexuals also can act in accordance with God’s commands or they might not. Homosexuals can choose to follow Christ like any of us with sin in our life as they try to love God and avoid sinful behavior.
Fourth, I believe God approves of celibacy as much as marriage. Sex is not a right but a privilege of marriage. Marriage is wonderful, but is not for everybody.

Fifth, some people make some pretty interesting arguments that scripture does not address the homosexual lifestyle today. It is my opinion that homosexuals have to take a light view of scripture or misinterpret scripture to avoid God’s message. Homosexual advocates who know scripture well can make some convincing arguments to the uninitiated.

Three points stand out in my mind regarding this discussion: 1) Every time homosexuality is mentioned in scripture, it is condemned. 2) Some Biblical experts allege that the kind of homosexuality we have today was not present when scripture was written or was not specifically addressed. Get real! 3) Scripture defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and sex should only happen in the context of marriage. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:27, I Corinthians 6:9 and I Timothy 1:10 are excellent scriptures to begin addressing the issue of homosexuality.

Finally, Christians and the homosexual community need to halt the hurtful rhetoric. Christians frequently want to “cure” homosexuals. Changing one’s sexual orientation begins with the wrong emphasis. Curing someone puts the focus on fixing instead of understanding. Nothing is impossible with God, but Christians should try to love homosexual people (not their behavior) and allow God and scripture to convict them of what they need to change. Homosexuals need to quit slamming anyone who is against homosexual behavior as a homophobe. All of us need to be constructive in our conversations.

I hope you think and pray about this important issue. Good answers come with conversation and reflection. Prejudice is born out of misunderstanding, arrogance and assumptions. Want to talk about it? A student group called the BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) meets every Tuesday at 12:15 in room 262 of the Student Center. A group of faculty and staff called the Lydia Group, organized by Thyra Nelson, meets once a month in the Student Center. Both groups welcome anyone wanting to learn more about Jesus and the Bible, even homosexuals!

Rev. Chris Fuller is a Staff Advisor at Macon State College and is the head of the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at Macon State College and Mercer University.