June 25, 2012 issue
Upside-down world
By Ransford Nicholson Sarasota, Fla.I was a strong bigot in my attitude against the practice of homosexuality. My views have softened but are not settled. Homosexuality was once regarded as perversion, and rightly so, because the human anatomy was not designed for it. To accept the union of two people of the same gender is like having the world turned upside down. Can someone advise me how to keep my balance in a topsy-turvy world?
Comments
-
I find it very hard to be holding your balance in this world under the situation of homosexuality. I have troubles holding on to the idea of could they be regular? We have had a few graduates of both genders that have came out of the school of a small community. They are treated the same by most of the students of the school. But, In the same equal - opposite reaction their are the doubters who are not supportive of their choice.That would have been me along with some of my friends. Their are also those who could just care less about their choice and do not give a hoot! When had a discussion of what we think about this in a study group a friend of mine who is the medical field says she has seen many situations where a male was born with female parts and v,v. Though my dad has had a thought on this for a while. These are his words " Their are people born as alcoholics and their are people being born gay, But, Is being an alcoholic a sin or being in the act of an alcoholic a sin? Does this go the same as a gay? Is being gay and being in the acts of being gay the same? I think no, The acts of an alcoholic are drinking and the acts of Homosexuality are doing things a married couple do as though in the same sex. Male Male and Female Female" I do not agree with the comparison. It is opposite to me. Being a homosexual to me is a sin where as in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Says Homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. So I now find this as a decision between you,your beliefs in Gods word about accepting and the subject discussed.
-
Ransford, May I suggest a new reading of Matthew 22: 15-22 and Jesus' words to the Pharisees - “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
In a day and age where the government can issue marriage licenses we should ask ourselves what in a union belongs to the emperor (the government/state)? Legalities such as: what to do when a couple (same-sex or otherwise) who have been living common-law for 5 years and then break up; or allowing same-sex couples the same income tax advantages as their heterosexual counterparts. The state is obligated to treat ALL couples legally the same way. As Christians we ought to applaud such egalitarianism and fairness.
Which brings me to ask, what in marriage (state issued or from the Church) belongs to God? I would argue the following things: love (for each other and Christ); covenant (with each other, God and the Church); and faithfulness (to one another, God and community). As Christians we should affirm relationships that have exhibited these traits. After all, that is what Christian premarital counseling is all about and precisely why a judge does not do any of that with a couple when they arrive at the courthouse.
You brought up the issue of anatomy and by extension the question of what is "natural?" In this case one must ask what of couples that cannot have children? What do we make of this marriage when all their "parts" line up, but utility fails? Are these unions less blessed? Is there less love between these individuals and God? Moreover, your comment assumes that in order for people to have genuine love for one another and for God in a marriage they MUST be able to express that through sexual intercourse; which brings up all sorts of questions that we wouldn't ask of heterosexual people but feel the need to wonder about same-sex couples! Is oral sex natural or appropriate in a Christian marriage? If not, why? If yes, why? Does this all come down to defining who can and who cannot do one sexual act all based upon whether or not they can anatomically perform OTHER acts? Is one superior to another if the couple biologically can or cannot have children? Now those are topsy-turvy questions!
Which is why I leave the legal issues to the State, and approach the Churches relationship to same-sex marriages from a foundation of Love.
-
Thanks for your honesty and openness, Ransford. It helps to keep one's focus on the love and devotion of the relationship and not on the mechanics in the bedroom (which should be private in any case). As for the belief that the human anatomy was not designed for same-sex relationships, many would not only disagree but feel exactly the contrary.
Comment on the article Upside-down world
Please keep comments civil. MWR editors reserve the right to remove any comment. When posting a comment, you agree to the MWR Comments Policy. Name and comment will be posted; commenters are strongly encouraged to give their full name. Email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download