With the current debate raging in the Anglican Church over whether to copy moves already implemented in the Uniting Church, it seems an expedient time to examine, as objectively as possible, what is the correct Biblical perspective on this matter. I have to clarify, before I start, my own sexual orientation, which I appreciate will make it very difficult to remain totally objective. I am as straight as they come. The thought of 'being' with a man in a sexual sense is enough to make me feel sick to the stomach. I assume that a homosexual would feel the same about being with someone of the opposite sex, but I confess I have never asked one, and I have heard that that is not necessarily the case.
Looking for the Biblical perspective, we find an enormous amount condemning allsexual immorality, but direct references to homosexuality in isolation are rare, really limited to four scriptures, with a few more passages negative by inference. Nevertheless, the four don’t beat around the bush and do come right out and explicitly condemn the practice. As the purpose of this essay is to determine God’s point of view on the matter, I think it is appropriate to quote all four:
1.“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” (Romans 1:26-27 NASB)
2. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9 NASB)
3. "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22)
4. "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness shall be upon them."(Leviticus 20:13)
After reading these scriptures, there is no doubt in my mind that God abhors homosexuality. But He also abhors any other sexual sin, or, for that matter, sin no matter what it might be. Leviticus is full of condemnation of explicit sexual abnormalities and it doesn't hold out much hope for those who participate in such practices. Abnormalities specifically mentioned are homosexuality, adultery, incest, child sacrifice and sex with animals (Leviticus 18 and 20). Curiously, fornication (sex between the unmarried) is not mentioned in Leviticus, however the importance of the virginity of unmarried females is made paramount throughout the Old Testament.
But that was the Old Covenant, the Law. The question we are seeking to clarify is what is the situation under the New Covenant? What is God's attitude towards something He obviously abhorred under the superseded system?
First of all, let's try to work out what causes homosexuality. Is it just a naturally occurring psychological aberration for a person to find themselves attracted to a person of the same sex, instead of one of the opposite sex? Is it a disease? Is it a genetic mutation? Is it caused by environment? Is it a spiritual invasion or possession? Or, as the gay and lesbian movement would assert, is it just a personal life-style choice, no more significant than your choice of clothing?
HISTORY
To find the answer, it may be useful to examine the history of the phenomenon.
The Flood
Already 1500 years after creation, God saw the need to wipe out most of it, because of the corruption and evil intent that had become prevalent. (Genesis 6) There is no mention of homosexuality specifically, but it would not be hard to imagine. What is most important to realise here is that the whole world started all over again 4,500 years ago.
Certainly neither Noah nor his sons, nor each of their wives, (nor for that matter the pairs of animals on the ark) would have been homosexual. It was their job to re-populate the Earth, something hardly likely to happen if they were gay.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Just five hundred years later, God sent two angels to see Lot and his family when both the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had degenerated into depravity. God wanted to wipe out the works. Abraham had pleaded that God spare the cities if just ten righteous men could be found. As soon as the angels arrived, the whole male population of Sodom surrounded Lot's place wanting to have sex with the angels, thinking they were ordinary men (Genesis 19). Again, I scratch my head at the incredible thinking patterns of that day - in some misguided sense of obligation to protect the angels, Lot offered his own two virgin daughters to be gang-raped! Fortunately for the daughters, the men were not even interested in sex with females. It is obvious that the major sin God objected to was the perversity of sexual aberration, particularly homosexuality.
Empires
Whenever a ruling empire reaches its natural conclusion (as opposed to being wiped out in its prime by conquerors), one of the more peculiar symptoms preceding its end appears to be the popularisation of homosexuality. Both the Roman empire and the Greek reign ended with this phenomenon being prevalent. Whatever the reason, cultures and empires come and go, often ending when opulent wealth takes the population into a comfort zone where hard work and endeavour is neither necessary nor rewarding. Often the children end up spending the wealth amassed by their predecessors, lazing in an orgy of self-indulgence. Homosexuality often seems to accompany such laxity.
Western Society
The attempts at normalisation of prevalent homosexuality in today's ruling western systems could well be interpreted (in conjunction with many others 'signs of the times') as an indicator of the imminent collapse of these systems. Today, it is almost impossible to avoid having it thrust in your face, with our legislators forcing us to incorporate it as 'normal' in our value systems. Television channels inundate their comedies and reality shows with it, and the tourism industry promotes the gay and lesbian mardi-gras as a must-see event. Please don't get me wrong. I'm not into trying to revive homophobia and gay-bashing. But I don't see heterosexuality celebrated in a mardi-gras. And I do object to having homosexuality forced on me in such an unavoidable manner.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
Genetics
A principle called the 'Weismann Barrier' prevents genetic mutations incurred by people during their life here on Earth from entering the sex cells (sperm and ova). So, generally speaking, genetic deterioration cannot be inherited. However, individual sex cells can still be directly mutated by individual exposure to the many forces in our environment that are able to change DNA - particularly radiation and toxins. If that were not so, we would all still be genetically perfect specimen at birth. The human genome has been in a degenerating spiral ever since the Fall.
So the very first question we try to answer is: is it possible to be genetically programmed to be homosexual? In Sodom, it appears, some 2,000 years after Creation and only 500 years after the flood, every man in the city apart from Lot (who was a relatively new arrival) was homosexual. If their homosexuality was caused by genetic make-up, in other words genetic mutations incurred during their lifetime, there must have been an incredibly strong environmental influence in the area, causing an identical genetic mutation in all of them. Not even exposure to fall-out from a nuclear explosion will have that effect. I'm fairly confident in-vitro fertilisation would not have been available, and their sexual orientation was hardly likely to produce offspring.
There is some recent scientific thought claiming that genetic mutations can pass the Weismann Barrier in some circumstances. (Immunities developed during life are stored in a variable part of the genome. Ted Steele claims these changes can permeate the sex cells). Even if that turns out to be correct, (and there are far more arguments against than there are for), inherited homosexuality still doesn't make sense, because of the obvious reproductive inhibitor factor.
But let's assume for a moment that somehow some genetic mutation can cause homosexuality in the same way it might cause cancer. It certainly is possible to inherit the predisposition for developing cancer. I've had leukemia. My mother died of multiple myeloma. Both are believed to have their origin in a mutation of chromosome 22, where most of the immunological diseases are believed to originate. However, the predisposition would have developed over numerous generations and centuries. I guess it is technically possible that a mutation in the X or Y chromosome (say) could account for a gay tendency, but hardly likely as generational inheritance has been obviated.
Disease
Whilst a large number of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) can be sustained by participating in homosexual relations, as far as I am aware, the tendency itself is not contagious. Many people have lived with gay persons in close proximity, without becoming gay themselves. What about a chemical or hormonal imbalance then? I guess that is possible, however, again, usually those types of imbalances are inherited genetically and with an estimated 3% of the population being gay, around 200,000,000 people would have had to sustain the same genetic damage in each of their individual lifetimes. Hardly a probable explanation.
Environment
There have been many research programs indicating that certain environmental factors can increase the incidence of homosexual practice. Men confined in jail and deprived of conjugal privileges will often turn to each other for physical satisfaction. Similarly women in jail. There is anecdotal evidence that the feminist movement has spawned a generation of aggressive and power-hungry females who have frightened less assertive men into the arms of each other. There is clinical evidence that stress in pregnant women can interfere with the timely release of testosterone during foetal development, resulting in feminine characteristics in men. And there is no doubt that contemporary legal and cultural changes, removing much of the stigma attached to homosexuality and making it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sexual preference, have contributed to a more open public arena. Whether it has increased the incidence or merely helped those affected to come out of the closet is anyone's guess.
There is a possibility that many homosexuals are the product of child abuse. There certainly seem to be some indicators that many paedophiles were themselves sexually abused as kids, and are perpetuating ‘the sins of the fathers’. Current research is drawing strong links between homosexual behaviour and child abuse, but only in the sense that homosexuals are more likely to abuse children.
I am not aware of any statistics on the post-prison sexual orientation of internees who practiced homosexual acts while in prison. I believe many resume normal heterosexual relations, but I have no information to back this up. I do know that there are Christian organisations, like 'Liberty Ministries' in Sydney, who specialise in reverting homosexual behaviour. Many of their clients now enjoy successful heterosexual marriages.
Lifestyle choice
If it is a lifestyle choice, it would only arise from observance of behaviour in role-models. In other words, if the adults, or even peers, in a person's life are in a homosexual relationship, this may instil a value which tells that person whether it is desirable. If the relationship is filled with violence, the person may reject the option. If the relationship is mutually edifying, the person may opt to go the same way. Similarly, it could be argued that heterosexual role models could influence a person's choice of sexual orientation, whether consciously or sub-consciously. Lifestyle choice would be closely linked to psychological causes discussed below.
Without extensive clinical study, including control groups, I don't think it is possible to draw definite conclusions. However, based on observation of evidence presented in our day-to-day experience, I don't believe role models influence sexual preference to any great extent. The very fact that for so many years 'coming out' was so difficult seems to indicate that the homosexual hiding in the closet believed him or herself to be different from the people around them.
Psychological explanations
Any psychological cause would be closely linked to environment. The way a person thinks is the combined result of their IQ, their education, their developmental environment while growing up, as well as the prevailing value system in place during this time. Again, I believe the less discriminatory environment has made it easier for homosexuality to be practised openly. Whether it has increased the incidence, we simply don't know.
However, this brings us to a test that may well prove to come closest to answering what causes homosexuality than any other theory, if ‘sexual preference’ is an accurate description of what we are dealing with. If we are dealing with a preference rather than a black and white situation, then the cause is most likely spiritual, as discussed below. As I said in the very first paragraph, the thought of ‘being’ with someone of the same sex makes me feel physically ill. If there were no women in this world, sexual abstinence would be the only option for me. Only a homosexual can answer this for themselves: Does the thought of being with someone of the opposite sex make you feel ill, or do you merely prefer someone of the same sex?
Spiritual Influence
I am not aware of any instance in the Bible where a spirit of homosexuality was cast out of a person, resulting in such person resuming a traditional sexual orientation.
However, that doesn't mean there are no such spirits. All sin, disease, and death can ultimately be blamed on the guy with the pointy tail and horns on his head. And he works with a cohort of evil spirits and demons to bring about his purposes.
Romans 1 sheds light on this matter, and it seems right to quote verses 18-27:
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
For even though they knew God, they did not honour Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonoured among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire towards one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." (NASB)
It seems very clear that homosexuality is mainly the result of replacing our Creator with an idol, breaking the first, and arguably most important, commandment. The way it happens is not terribly clear, other than to say that God ‘gave them over’. In this day and age, idols come in all shapes and sizes. They range from simple unbelief in God's word (and believing instead what scientists tell us), to actual Satan worship. I don't have to spell out all the multitude of things that fit in between.
THE NEW COVENANT
When I read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, I have little doubt that homosexuality is a dreadful sin. But so is adultery. And so is covetousness. Jesus told us just thinking adulterous thoughts was as bad. Anyone of us who has ever looked at a woman lustfully, had sex with a girlfriend or boyfriend, anyone who ever gave in to the 'temptations of the flesh' is guilty!
Oh No! Unless I can find some loophole, some way out, some valid-looking excuse that God will swallow without too much scrutiny, I am a goner! I may not be homosexual, but I have certainly missed the mark in some of the other areas!
Praise God for the New Covenant! It is not even a loophole or excuse! God Himself paid the penalty for my sins! God the Son died on a cross in one of the most horrific ways imaginable, so that I wouldn't have to. Acceptance of His sacrifice is a covering for my sins, so that God the Father can no longer see them! In due course, that blood will totally wash me clean. Under the Old Covenant an imperfect sacrifice provided an imperfect blood covering. Jesus was the final and perfect blood sacrifice! The only condition attached to my forgiveness is that I forgive all others!
SUMMARY
Upon Creation, man and woman were intended for monogamous heterosexual adult relationship. God abhorred any deviation from this standard. A huge part of the reason for this is that the monogamous heterosexual relationship is a picture of what God wants for Himself.
Until there is an extensive program using artificial insemination to create gay families, it is highly unlikely that any genetic mutation could account for, or pass on, homosexual tendency. It would also be extremely difficult to label it as a disease. Whilst environment can psychologically or emotionally increase the rate of overt incidence, no studies I know of can prove whether this increase is actual, or the result of reduced opposition leading to more homosexuals coming out of the closet.
History shows that overwhelming sexual aberration can, and most likely will, arise when man abandons God's rules and fellowship with his Maker, and starts making up his own rules. Whatever the 'technical' explanation might be for the homosexual phenomenon, there is no doubt it mostly occurs when the prevailing culture leaves God out of the picture and starts worshipping the creature in place of the Creator. Gay members of the Anglican clergy really have to jump huge mental hoops to get around God's standards.
On the other hand, in the interest of objectivity, let us always remember that homosexuality did not make it into the 'Big Ten' commandments. But adultery did!
CONCLUSION
Homosexuality is a dreadful sin. But so is adultery. And so is murder, stealing, lying and coveting. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
What don’t we like about God? To the new-age man in the street, He seems like a stick-in-the-mud, who just wants to spoil our fun and impose restrictions on our lives. Hasn’t He heard about the latest anti-discrimination legislation?