Homosexuality: Acceptance and Love within Christianity

Camp over the last four summers has shown me truly unique and interesting people. A handful of these people are gay and lesbian. These are my friends, amazing Christ-centered individuals, who love God and are joyful leaders beyond belief. I have had the opportunity over the last few summers to talk with four of them about their sexuality. After one of them told me that he dated girls earlier in his life, I told him I didn't understand that. Why would he date girls if he was not attracted to them? He told me, "Kelly, you have to understand. It's not easy being the way I am, it's difficult." It's so different from the ways of the world. Each person I talked to who is gay or lesbian, has told me one clear thing. It is not a choice. "How could God create people gay though?" I wondered. One of my pastors brought up a good point. "They did not choose to be this way. Why would people choose to be so opposite, so backwards, so different from everybody else?" The world does not understand their ways, their differences...

This is such a gray area for me. I went to Westmont College, a small conservative Christian college (1,200 students), but grew up in the fairly liberal ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). My parents are conservative on the issue of homosexuality, my sister liberal on it. I, on the otherhand, am still figuring this issue out for myself. I used to believe that being a homosexual was a choice. Now after talking to my gay and lesbian friends, I believe it is not a choice. I am a straight female and I'm comfortable with my sexuality. I am and always have been attracted to men. All I can do now is love and accept the homosexual person for who they are. Should I try to change them? No. Should I condemn their behavior? No. Should I judge them? Of course not. I don't know if this issue will ever be clear cut in my mind.

Like the issue of should women become pastors? That one is black and white for me. Obviously, yes! Women are amazing pastors. Although many of my conservative friends disagree, sadly! Should homosexuals become pastors? In the past I may have said no. The Lutheran Church now is discussing and has been for some time, whether or not practicing homosexuals should become pastors? Why not? Even if homosexuality was a sin, and I'm not saying yet if it is or is not, we all sin. What would be the difference in hiring a person with an alcohol addiction, or a compulsive liar? These are sinners. We all sin.

So, is homosexuality a sin? The Bible says in Romans and 1st Timothy that it is. The Old Testament also says it is. Who can argue with the Bible? Then again, it states that women should hold their tongues and not speak in church. Back then it was because they were "not educated" as well as the men. I have also heard the argument that men should be "the head" of the church, or "the head" of the family, therefore, in the church family, some believe women can be in ministry as long as they are not the head pastor or senior pastor. A professor of religion at Westmont College told me, "Why stop there? Why let women be pastors, but not senior pastors?" Look at how many women are on the church council, or who hold positions in the church. Pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth directors, and so much more! Times have changed. There are so many examples of strong, influencial women of the Bible. How can you say they should not lead the church? Excuse my rant and tangent. If I'm this passionate about women being able to be pastors, then why not homosexuals too?

Now, back to homosexuality. This is an issue I have pondered all my life, going back and forth on so many thoughts about it. I would think to myself, "It's a sin. It isn't a sin. Well the Bible says it's a sin, so it has to be. But these people, these Christ-centered, God loving people are telling me this is the way they were made. Is it a choice? God could not have created people gay. My friends and every homosexual person I have talked to say that this is the way they are. They have not chosen this. They were created this way. And, I know God loves them just the way they are."

That's what we need to take from this. We should love and accept homosexuals just like we love and accept everyone else. Some hide the way they are. Why? For fear of rejection. For fear of being the topic of gossip. For leaders in the church, for fear people would leave the church. We welcome you in our church, the ELCA. Come, learn about the Good News of Jesus. Come, just as you are to worship! You are a precious and loved child of God. You are perfect the way God made you. May the peace of Christ be with YOU always. YOU being every created person.

Please comment. I am completely open to hearing what you think and have to say. I invite your open and honest opinions.