The Repeal of “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell” – What Are the Impacts?

Everyone is making such a fuss over the repeal of “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell” this week.  I know this is a hot topic – and I don’t mean to offend anyone.  I won’t even take sides on this issue at first.  I will simply pose some questions for your consideration.

With the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law – will there be any impact on our military?  And if so or if not – why?

Quoting from an article titled “Retired chaplain: ‘Gays’ in the military could hurt recruiting” - retired army Chaplain – Brig. General Douglas Lee states:

“From a Christian perspective, from a Roman Catholic perspective, from a Muslim perspective, from an orthodox church in America perspective, from an orthodox Jewish perspective — from the perspectives of all the major religions — a behavior that has always been considered a sin and immoral is now going to be considered legitimate,” he laments.

Continuing with the  article we read:

President Obama signed the landmark bill today, calling it the culmination of “two of the most productive years” of any Congress. So many homosexual rights and Democratic activists were at the signing ceremony that the White House booked an auditorium at the Interior Department.

But will it be good for the military?  No one denies that gays are already serving in the military.  But once it is open and honest – which has its plusses for sure – what then?

What kind of restrictions if any will be applied?  The question in the previous video asked about housing in Academy life.  Will there be any rules – requirements?  Issues like this will need to be addressed I’m sure.

In our denomination we struggle with this subject.  The denomination’s discipline agrees homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching – yet not all members of the denomination agree.  We have persons who struggle with their sexual identity – their DNA – and how those who do struggle should be treated.

It is not an easy subject.  Personal rights verses the rights of the whole?  Choice verses genetics?  Sin verses a person’s right to do as they please?

Your thoughts?

God Made Man and Woman To Be Together

Genesis 2:20b-24

^20b But for Adam no suitable helper was found. ²¹ So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. ²² Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. ²³ The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” ²⁴ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

A week, plus a few days ago, my youngest daughter was married.  At the wedding I was reminded of God’s plan – God’s created order – God’s intent for His creation.  It was for one man and one woman to be united for all time.  Humanity messed this up in so many ways.  Even the people of God messed things up.

Some people – even Biblical characters – had multiple wives – at the same time – NOT God’s plan or intent.  Divorce was not God’s plan or intent – God hates divorce – yet we have married unwisely – we have drifted apart – we have had affairs – we have allowed substance abuse and other ills to wreck havoc on our marriages – to the point that we believe divorce is the only answer.  Some people have even given up natural desires for the opposite gender and allowed their sin nature to crave within them persons of the same gender.

Romans 1:26-27 – 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Humanity has so eschewed God’s perfect plan of one man and one woman that even the church of Christ is found debating other expressions of marriage and relationships as if they can somehow be accepted because they are so widely experienced.  We are to be reconciled to God’s perfect plan – we are not to bring God’s perfect plan down to human nature.

As I watched my daughter and new son united in marriage, I was reminded once again of God’s perfect plan – and how the church that calls itself after Christ must adhere to that plan – and put aside sinful expressions of sexuality.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

Will We Ever Just Get Along?

I have written two articles recently, one concerning homosexuality and another concerning same-sex marriages.  They have been viewed often and several comments have been left for others to read.  They are hot topics because 1) the District of Columbia recently approved same-sex marriage and began to take applications on Wednesday past (150 applied the first day – 10 is normal), 2) the denomination’s long standing (1972) position that homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching, and 3) a local United Methodist church and pastor pledging to celebrate same-sex weddings (which the denomination forbids) (see a news article here or here).

The debate has raged since 1972 when the Book of Discipline addressed the issue – nearly 40 years.  Will we ever just get along?  I pray  that we can get along – but I have my doubts as to whether we will ever find common theological ground.  I acknowledge that what I am describing below are the extremes of the  positions held left and right.  My purpose in writing is to generate discussion around some middle ground where we can meet to hold our denomination together.  Is the United Methodist Church large enough to include such diverse beliefs on this and other subjects?

One side of the issue believes that homosexuality is a natural and normal expression of sexuality, given by God and therefore approved of by God when used within the bounds of a committed, consensual, monogamous relationship.

The other side believes that homosexuality is not a normal or natural expression of sexuality and is therefore a deviation from God’s plan and not within God’s will for individuals. To live out this lifestyle is a sinful misuse of the gift of sexuality given to humanity intended to be shared between a man and a woman for both procreation and intimacy through the bonds of marriage. Sexual relations with same sex partners are similar to sex outside of the bounds of marriage, neither honors the bounds of sexuality laid out by God.

One side believes that ministry to the homosexual community is focused on extending God’s grace to all and helping the gay and lesbian community to leave their sinful lifestyle while finding hope and wholeness in the body of Christ.

The other side believes that ministry to the homosexual community includes helping society accept and appreciate the homosexual community as another normal part of human diversity and offering opportunities in which homosexual people can use their gifts and callings for the building of the kingdom.

One side sees the church’s stance on homosexuality as comparable to the stance society and the church once held toward women and people of color.

The other side believes that homosexuality is a chosen expression of sexuality that is sinful.  As such, to compare women and people of color with the gay and lesbian community is not a fair comparison.

One side sees homosexuality as primarily a learned behavior – with many studies showing common childhood circumstances among those who become practicing homosexuals in later life. And, IF biological proof were found that related to sexual choice – this side sees that all things biological are not necessarily normal and natural (see drug addictions in babies and the propensity to alcoholism in children of alcoholics) nor in accordance with God’s desire. Just because a child is born with a tendency towards addiction does not mean that God intends for that child to become a practicing alcoholic.

The other side sees homosexuality as biological, natural, and a God given part of an individual which should not inhibit their full inclusion and development in church and society. And IF homosexuality is found not to be biological it is still a viable expression of sexuality when shared within the parameters of mutual love, affection, commitment, and sacrifice.

I could go on and on.

Something I did not mention that could be very revealing in this discussion is how each side views Scripture.  Is it God-breathed and useful in all circumstances of life, the primary source on God’s revelation, or is it a good guide, to be interpreted according to each person’s life experience?

There is one thing both sides might agree upon – all of God’s people are people of sacred worth.  I include a section of The Book of Discipline, parts of which we can all agree upon and parts we may differ in our opinion, yet it is the church’s position.  2008 Book of Discipline, ¶161F (pp 103-104), on Human Sexuality.  It reads, in part:

… We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God.  All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self.  The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.  We affirm that God’s grace is available to all.  We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us.  We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends.  We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.

I believe, of course, that the extreme positions may never agree.  But is there a place where we can find some common ground?  If neither side yields, the debate will rage on, and we will continue to lose members from either extreme and in the middle as people tire of the debate.  I wonder what Jesus would do?  I’m sure one side would say one thing, while the other would say something different.  Pity that the church has to be so divided.  And this hasn’t even touched on the issue of transgendered or bi-sexual individuals.

Your thoughts are welcome!

Homosexuality: For Some Reason The Debate Rages On

A hot topic in our society today is same sex marriages which is an extension of the debate about homosexuality that has raged for decades.  The District of Columbia recently approved same sex marriage in the District.  Recently the Attorney General of Maryland said Maryland would recognize same sex marriages done legally in other jurisdictions.  Today – Wednesday, March 3, 2010 – the courts In DC will be open to start performing same sex marriages.  Read a news article here.  How this will impact the churches in the District is yet to be seen.  More and more we will see secular law and church law in conflict.  How men and women of faith react to this difference will be interesting.

Let me suggest that the question that is before us is not whether homosexuality is a bigger sin than any other sin – because it is not.  We all have sin in our lives and through God’s grace, we must repent of them and strive to live without those sins.  This is an ongoing battle for each of us. The question at hand in society and in the church is whether homosexuality – and acting upon those sexual desires – is sinful?

This has been debated in the United Methodist Church since the 1970′s at our General Conference.  Through legislation in our Book of Discipline the subject of Homosexuality and functions of that lifestyle have been dealt with extensively.  The current 2008 Discipline says this about marriage and homosexuality.

BOD 2008 – ¶161.B: Marriage—We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant that is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman. We believe that God’s blessing rests upon such marriage, whether or not there are children of the union. We reject social norms that assume different standards for women than for men in marriage. We support laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

BOD 2008 – ¶161.F: The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.

I believe the Bible is clear as well in this discussion/debate.  In describing the sin nature of humanity, we read that same sex behavior is part of the sinful desires of the heart. (I include some extra verses to show context)

Romans 1:18-27 – 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

In telling us that sin, unrepented sin, will keep us from the kingdom of God, homosexuality is listed among these sins:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – 9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Even with such statements, the debate rages on.  There are those in the church today that suggest that being homosexual is akin to being male or female, or being a person of color.  They suggest that as women and people of color were wrongly oppressed in our society at one time, so homosexuals are being wrongly oppressed.  This assumes that being homosexual is normal and natural and not a deviation from God’s plan.  Those who believe this way will continue to make this an issue in our denomination and in the wider church (see what has happened in the Episcopal Church).

As mentioned earlier, same sex marriages has been made lawful in the District of Columbia.  It is not out of the question that some United Methodist pastors will challenge church law and the Scriptures and perform same sex marriages in the District.  This will be a chargeable offense in our denomination.  It will be a sad day in the church that will further divide us.  I pray that the conference leadership will prayerfully stand by the Discipline of our church if such a blatant act occurs.

I believe that Scripture and the United Methodist Church have sided with the truth that homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching and is a deviation from God’s plan and order.  Having said this, I also believe that the church should minister to those caught in the sin of homosexuality as we strive to reach out to others caught in other sins.

Churches should support groups like Exodus International. This group is striving to minister to homosexuals, helping them to leave their deviant lifestyles.  Local churches should develop ministries like Exodus International on their local level to minister to the gay and lesbian community.

Using another social sin as an example, it is not enough to say we are opposed to abortion.  We must be active in helping unwed mothers and other mothers who find themselves in unwanted pregnancies.  We must be willing to step up and help society see that abortion is not the answer, there are other solutions.  We need to be active in loving and ministering to those caught in sin in whatever form we find it – in our lives and in the lives of those God has placed in our path.

Our discipline also says that homosexuals are people of sacred worth – they are loved by God as are we all – so we need to step up and stop simply naming sin.  We need to step up and minister to those caught in sin.  That is what the church is called to do!

I would like to open a dialogue around the subject of ministry to the gay and lesbian community.  Is anyone interested?