First of all, I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of discussion that has been generated by my first blog post on the subject of homosexuality. I've really enjoyed debating whether or not homosexuality is a sin. However, as I have been increasingly frustrated over the past few weeks on the lack of progress either side is making, I've turned to others to help me figure out this problem. This includes some excellent mentors, and some amazing resources. I've realized that no progress will ever be made in this discussion unless some common ground is discovered. That common ground has to be God.
If we are arguing this topic between two Christians, the only possible right answer would be that homosexuality is wrong, because we understand that God has condemned homosexuality in His Word which provides the ultimate authority for our lives. His perfect world included a man and a woman. There really can be no discussion as to if Christians should accept homosexuality.
However, remove God from the picture, and have two non-Christians argue the topic, and the results completely flip around. What are the grounds for an argument against homosexuality without God explicitly condemning the sin? Ultimately, if we have a moral compass that isn't in sync with a higher power, then for those that deny gay rights, it comes down to a matter of prejudice.
So you see, this is why Christians and non-Christians can't debate the issue! Non-Christians cannot understand that we follow what God says, and therefore by not accepting any form of sexual impurity, we are obeying God's Words. I've come to the realization that each debate about homosexuality ultimately turns into a discussion of if God exists. This seems to be the turning point in this argument. If you believe in God, you don't accept homosexuality. If you don't believe in God, you accept homosexuality.
But using homosexuality as the starting point for an argument for the existence of God does not produce the best results. By results, I'm stating that a proper case for God is not built because as soon as you introduce God stating that homosexuality is wrong, it's like non-Christians have a mechanism that clicks on and automatically makes them turn away from any other comments about God's character. There lies the issue. The character of God being loving, pure, holy, and just has to be built before people can understand why God would tell His people that homosexuality is wrong. The picture of God has to be painted perfectly before the debate even begins!
I've been approaching this issue in the worst way. I've been trying to prove to those who don't believe in God that homosexuality is a sin. I've been so sidetracked by the fact that I have to prove myself right, that I've lost my true purpose, which is to reveal God to these people. In one of my university courses, a major point was that apologetics, while being extremely useful in certain cases, cannot be the overruling method we use to talk about God with non-Christians. I've been so caught up debating an issue about God's character, that I've forgotten to simply describe and prove what God's character is about!
Moving back to the debate between Christians, I've also discovered some more ideas. Sure, we may believe that the Bible is God's authoritative work, and we must obey it if we believe in God, and we may never know why God says something is wrong, and this is where faith steps in. But at some point, we need to stop relying upon this argument. God is a logical God, and He does have a reason behind all of His commands. Almost all of the time, it requires research, and questioning to find part of His true purpose. Again, as I stated previously, I do believe we will never truly understand exactly why God commands certain things (one aspect of heaven that I am looking forward to is complete understanding of every aspect of the Bible), but I believe that He has left tidbits for every one of His commandments.
Borrowing from a friend who I discussed the issue with, homosexuality comes down to an identity crisis. As C.S. Lewis states in his book Mere Christianity, the root of all sin is putting one's self first. This is the basis for all sin. It's rejecting God, and putting yourself as the only God. As my friend stated, this culture is stuck in a rut, full of people searching for their own unique identity. And by putting this search above all else, they turn to methods such as homosexuality to craft their own self purpose in this lost world. I don't think the issue is so much that God wants to restrict people but He wants to remove as many distractions as possible so you can concentrate on what truly matters; and that's your relationship with God. God wants people to turn away from matters such as homosexuality which may help you feel satisfied for a short time, but quickly run dry, and then you are on to the next thing. Instead, He wants you to feel your true self-worth in Him, to feel His love washing over you, to feel His presence beside you at all times, to find who you are in Him. This is what truly matters, where you truly feel that you are loved. Whatever this world offers is empty compared to what God has in store for you.
So, as Christians, we do not want to condemn homosexuality; that is God's job. Rather, we want to try and guide EVERYONE (not just those who have committed homosexuality) from their self-search to the search for God. The most frustrating thing for me over the past few weeks has been trying to get other people to understand this principle. We do not hate others, we love them in a Godly manner. We strive to have everyone find Jesus, and for everyone's lives to be led and consumed by passion for God, instead of passion for worldly things.
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