The Gay Issue

Vivian, thanks for your post.  I too am a Christian, who sometimes struggles with Religion.  Though some might find it ironic to be writing about God for a scientific writing course, or to be a scientist with faith in God, I do not believe these things are inherently contradictory.  I wanted to briefly address the issue you brought up in your third paragraph about homosexuality and Christianity.  I do not intend to preach, but to share the basis for my thoughts, though I will reference the Bible a bit.

For sure, the Bible can be confusing and is interpreted in many ways.  I find Jesus’ teachings about a few things to be fairly clear.  In Matthew, He states that the second greatest commandment, behind loving God wholly, is to “‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  To me, this declaration, alone, strongly points towards how Christian’s should respond to homosexuality—namely, to love homosexuals like one would anyone else, but I will expound on this understanding with a few more references.

I love the Bible’s use of metaphor.  There is one particularly intriguing line which I find applicable to the debate about homosexuality.  Jesus is addressing the infamous Pharisees: “You strain out a gnat yet swallow a camel!”  Here, again in Matthew, He addresses their penchant for following law, while forgetting that which is most important—justice, mercy, and faithfulness.  Not to mention, loving your neighbor.  I believe this parallels how many modern day Christians address homosexuality; they believe it is wrong, and so condemn and often persecute those who are homosexual.  In doing so, they too swallow the camel—they fail to love their neighbor. 

Commonly, I am told by more ‘reasonable’ Christians that one should hate the sin, not the sinner.  While this belief may seem more amiable, I believe it is equally misguided.  “Do not judge so that you will not be judged…Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?”  Here is another metaphor from Matthew, which I appreciate.  I do not believe homosexuality is a sin, but even if it were, it is not right for me to judge gays.  And I have plenty of logs in my own eyes which need removing before I dissect the eyes of others.

Yes, I believe society needs laws, penalties, and judgments.  And yes, absolutely, this becomes a complicated issue when considering how to address law and order.  Should I support laws against murder?  Clearly.  Some others are less obvious, but that the legality of gay marriage—and by proxy, homosexuality itself—persists as one of the most dominant political debates in America?  That so many Christians see banning gay marriage as one of their most important missions?  I am astounded.  And I want to voice my support for gays and gay Christians, since I know this is a Christian voice not often heard.