http://www.equip.org/free/DH055-1.htm
http://www.equip.org/free/DH055-2.htm
These are NOT pro-gay links. I just wanted to show something that would be considered (by many) as being reasonably authoritative, in making the following points:
If this is what many accept and believe about homosexuality, then why the often overly simplistic approach to homosexual people? It's as if many Christians DO believe they will (on the spot) or a few months down the road, see the human or medical equivatent of someone REGROWING A LEG (or an eye...etc.).
In "faith", we who believe understand that can POSSIBLY come to be, but I've never met a person who has witnessed of provided proof that such things DO indeed take place. And while that diminishes my faith in no significant way, it is something that some people are indeed afraid of discussing openly.
The links I provided above do provide some evidence to show that "change" is possible, but in my many years in church I patiently and quietly observed (even sought) to hear the kind of testimony (and acceptance of those struggling), which would indicate that God intended to "change" homosexual people (as many have come to expect, based upon their interpretation of the Bible).
You see, a lot of people are conditioned to "believe", and I'm not against that. But I think we have to do better with allowing beliefs to be challenged. In this day and time there is enough to examine intellectually, so that the journey in "faith" which one takes need not be based entirely upon BLIND steps or progression. We have natural sciences and social sciences to help guide people in many different things.
It's not shocking to most, that over time, science has exposed fallacies and myths perpetrated by religious "beliefs". And personally, I've learned to NOT put 100% "faith" in "science". You see, it IS about having some kind of balance, even cross-checking both religion and reality with one another.
Now, I realize some people WISH they could live in a world where things are 100% FAITH, but we do not; we often have to THINK our way out of certain things. Not to say that prayer and faith are not of awesome significance, but to be honestly-realistic in assessing the myriad approaches to actual situations and problems that ALL HUMAN BEINGS must face. The stories of Jesus, His life and ressurection give me hope that something FAR beyond my understanding is working for the good of us all; but the CONSTANT
negative badgering and dehumanization by "
Christians" who
assume they know what is right/best for each and every homosexual person in this world, is effectively arrogant and unduly burdensome to all who must
endure it.
And it wasn't hard to correlate the horribly "stilted" treatment homosexual people often receive in this world, compared to the relatively-light concerns heterosexuals endure concerning their actions (or orientation). Just listening to people talk (in general about homosexuality), shows how NOT CHRISTIAN many of the things "Christian" say and believe about homosexuals really are. And to compound things, all the closeted people who really want nothing more than to be "protected" from inherent evils they likely face in people, are literally hearing how hated and despised they truly are by many who claim to be showing "love".
It's basically neurotic for a society or civilization on this planet to imagine that homosexuality and homosexuals aren't (at least) common. And to treat it in so spectacular a manner, especially where it concerns certain policies and doctrines is simply biased and wrong. I'm very understanding that HEDONISM and wantonly-irresponsible sexual behaviors are better discouraged; there are things that two people do, the consequences of which can spill over into society. But still, the scapegoating and general discrimination against ALL things homosexual (which our society seems to promote by default), is generally something that needs to be mitigated. There may not be enough evidence to PROVE what causes "homosexuality" (yet), but there is enough evidence to show that the "treatment" we (as a society/world) have allowed homosexual people to endure, has done little to bring about constructive or positive results.
I know there are many "activists" on all side of the various arguments; but that is not where my emphases rest. I'm more concerned with the CORE of the individual human beings (all of us, not merely gay people) where it concerns exactly how we navigate (journey) to the truth. Some see this as a WAR, and perhaps it is, but I think it's reasonable to say that we rarely see the SPIRITUAL WEAPONS deployed, in comparison to the onslaught of VISCERAL assaults commonly unleashed upon homosexual people.
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SPIRITUAL PROBLEM (often overlooked by many who consider themselves warriors FOR "
righteousness"). And it is like
a dark cloud covering the eyes of many on all sides of the myriad opinions which exist. It is the primary reason (in my view) that
"Christians" are often busy spinning their wheels concerning homosexuality (ineffectual) and homosexuals often relegated to spending their lives, operating from and hiding in social/spiritual-bunkers; peeping out (occassionally) to see where the battle has taken this world. (I don't believe that Jesus/God meant for that to happen to us/them).
In the end (for Christians) it cannot be ignored, that there WILL be an account of how people allowed themselves to "feel" toward homosexual people, and also an account of what was done by individuals to either help or hurt them. A real discussion of that "accounting" would serve to balance the "religion" so often hurled ruthlessly at homosexuals; and there are social settings more or less conducive to allowing such "accountability".
Things do change (even our views of right/wrong). While many have their views or interpretations of the Bible (solidly-grounded in their minds) today, it's clear enough, that the societies/civilizations surrounding those many different biblical views (or religion) tend to evolve. And while that can seem ominous to some, others realize that we are on a journey of sorts... not locked into a single location on a cosmic map, contained by a "single" idea/issue.
Homosexuality is a significant issue indeed; but I think it's time for people to understand that it's not the most important or profound issue of all (even as they deal with it). For me, it's not a matter of merely saying it's "wrong" or "right"; but it is also a matter of
really understanding the people affected by it. And as much as some don't want it to happen (and even fight against it), for people to gain that
understanding the society in which they live will
evolve to meet the challenge.
Gay people are everywhere in our lives (common), and they are no different than most others finding their way in this reality (secular or spiritual). Even so, if they are hunted down, spot-lighted and oppressed openly, how can they NOT become "spectacularized" and "misunderstood" in some way(s)? The HYPE itself is DISTORTION; I and many others believe it's time to address that period.
-Mel-
