Homosexuality: nature or nurture? Part 2

Time to expand upon the fourth point I mentioned in my first post on this topic: the propaganda put about by the people behind the gay rights movement in the late 80s and 90s. The people behind this campaign saw that the best way to halt the growing public aversion to homosexual behaviour (that resulted from the rising prevalence of AIDS) was to convince us it’s normal, and that it’s not their fault, that they didn’t choose to be this way. The following outlines some of the tactics they used in order to achieve this goal. The bulk of this information comes from Ian Wishart’s book Eve’s Bite (great read, I highly recommend it) with other sources as cited. The primary source Wishart draws from in his chapters on this topic is the 432 page tome After the Ball: How America Will Conquer its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the 90’s, by Kirk and Madsen (still available from Amazon.com, published in 1990, but born out of a conference of leaders in the gay community in ‘88), in which the authors outline their plan to convince the public by means of a PR blitz that homosexuality is a normal behaviour and that any opposition to it is not to be tolerated by the public. They say, “the campaign we outline in this book, though complex, depends centrally upon a programme of unabashed propaganda, firmly grounded in long-established principles of psychology and advertising...our effect is achieved without reference to facts, logic or proof...”.

With regards to the “born gay” idea, they say “We argue that, for all practical purposes, gays should be considered to have been born gay, even though sexual orientation, for most humans, seems to be the product of a complex interaction between innate pre-dispositions and environmental factors during childhood and early adolescence...to suggest in public that homosexuality might be chosen, is to open a can of worms labelled ‘moral choices and sin’ and give the religious intransigents a stick to beat us with. Straights must be taught that it is as natural for some persons to be homosexual as it is to be heterosexual: wickedness and seduction have nothing to do with it.” In other words, even though they knew it wasn’t true, they wanted others to think that gays were born, not made! Why? Because this legitimises the behaviour, and brands as ‘gay-haters’ or ‘homophobes’ anyone who disagrees with that lifestyle choice. This is the line that we have seen pushed again and again in movies and on TV (which many of watch too much of...) and in the media and many people have assumed it to be true. A whole generation of children has grown up with these ideas and very little to counter this, except what ‘whacko fundamentalist religious nuts’ say.

Yet we are starting to see a change in the literature, and it’s coming from inside the gay community. Increasingly, homosexual authors are admitting that the idea that gays are born not made is purely a political one. Lesbian academic Dr Lilian Faderman acknowledges this when she said in 1995, “And we [the gay and lesbian community] continue to demand Rights ignoring the fact that human sexuality is fluid and flexible, acting as though we are all stuck in our category forever...”. She also makes this telling statement: “What becomes of our political movement if we openly acknowledge that sexuality is flexible and fluid, that gay and lesbian does not signify ‘a people’ but rather ‘a sometime behaviour’?” This is a tacit admission that many gay activists know their lifestyle is a choice, yet they realise that the way to gain public support and recognition is by convincing people that they were born gay.

In her book Queer by Choice, lesbian Dr Vera Whisman says: “The political dangers of a choice discourse go beyond the simple (if controversial) notion that some people genuinely choose their homosexuality. Indeed, my conclusions question some of the fundamental basis upon which the gay and lesbian rights movement has been built. If we cannot make political claims based on an essential and shared nature, are we not left once again as individual deviants? Without an essentialist (born that way) foundation, do we [even] have a viable politics?” Jennie Ruby, a lesbian writer, says this in her book Off Our Backs: “I don’t think lesbians are born...I think they are made...the gay rights movement has (for many good practical reasons) adopted largely an identity politics.” Again, from lesbian author Jan Clausen, “the public assertion of a coherent, unchanging lesbian or gay identity has proved an indispensible tactic in the battle against homophobic persecution.” Need I say more?

This brings me to a final question: why am I writing this? What’s my goal? Well, it’s twofold. Firstly, I want Christians and others who are concerned about our society to be able to justify their opposition to things like gay marriage and gay adoption in a way that is more than just “the Bible says so”. We need to be able to counter the propaganda put forward by those on the pro-gay side of politics. Secondly, and this is so important, I want to offer those of you out there that might be struggling with sexual orientation a lifeline. You have been told by the media, by the government, by our schools, by our friends perhaps, that you were born that way and you cannot change. That’s not true! It is not in any way conclusive that sexual orientation is a product of nature, and I’ve shown good reasons here to believe otherwise. So, if you are struggling with this, or if you have recently become a Christian and are trying to extricate yourself from your previous lifestyle, take heart! There are people who can help you. Exodus International is a Christian group set up to help people find freedom from homosexuality - see their website (http://www.exodus-international.org/). And always remember – it is the healing power of Christ that sets us free, not anything else. Come to Him, cast your burdens on Him and He will help you!

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Bus Fare

I just got an email from a friend that moved me to post its contents. If you haven't seen it, I hope it blesses you.

A lesson we should never forget:

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.

Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change '

The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

Miyuki's Questions

Reference to Miyuki's Question on Facebook:

Ah, this can get really deep here. You are asking questions that can be answered easily and naively, or that can be expounded into truths so profound as to change your very being.

1) When you hear "church" what do you think of?

"Church" in the sense that you have put it in quotation marks makes me think you no longer assume it is a "place or building" - but you assume most people do. I read about half of those who answered thought as much as well. Church is "the Body of Christ." The eternal, catholic (ie, universal) and incorruptible community of believers throughout the history of God's people.
That is why Paul refers to us as members of the body. As in a body part, each with his/her own ability and duty and personality, different from others, but of one heart, one head. Christ.
It is also described as the "Bride of Christ." One of the most profound and visual images of the Church. An image that should denote that if our "marriage" to Christ is full, we should see products of our love, "children." More family members.

2) What is your definition of a Christian?

See above. First used by Paul to describe the community of believers. But that is a difficult question. Defining that is presuming to judging others - a fine difference from discerning. That is why it isn't really so tightly laid down in the Bible other than saying "One who professes Christ Jesus with their lips."
But lets say it like Christ Himself said it; "For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Matt 12:50) and again, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) that is a Christian. Abiding in Christ - having a living faith in the living God through Jesus Christ.

3) What do you think the role of a Christian is?

Are you asking what are our jobs? Dunno. We each have our own. If you mean in the most basic sense, then we are told right out, "Go, and make disciples of all men!" If God were speak straight out of Heaven, I doubt half the people in the world who are Christians now would even listen. And if He came in undisguised, then no one could even comprehend, but fall on our faces and all of reality would melt away (thats basically what the end of time will be like according to Revelation) but if He comes as man, as someone you can relate to and be with and count on, than He must be limited to a space just like us. If you didn't have the choice to believe, then you wouldn't have the choice to love either. God values your choices. So, he leaves it us, those who believe to spread the love. For it is a relationship He is seeking with you. How else to have a relationship if not to relate to others. Our duty and desire is therefore to "love the Lord, God with all your heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as ourself."

4) What is love?

You should read CS Lewis' "Four Loves" - very good reading. The short answer? Love is giving another what you have that they need. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16 emphasis added)
Love is not to be confused with God. God is Love, but love is not God. Just because someone does something in love does not make it "good." Love with out justice, mercy, faithfulness, the laws of nature or humility is a demon that we sometimes call pride, lust or greed. Love of self, love of money, homosexuality, are all horrors that come from not abiding in the fullness of Love.
Affection, Eros, Friendship, Charity. These are the four great loves.

5) What is good?

You like difficult questions don't you? It would be easier to ask what is evil.
Good is the fullness of the Universe, the fullness of God, for only God is good, right?
Evil is simply the lack of good, as darkness is simply the lack of light. Good IS while evil IS NOT. Taken in these terms, everything that God made was pronounced "good" was it not? It is either by taking something apart from the rest or a piece of something broken from the fullness of its purpose that makes it "not-good."
For instance, you asked what love is? Love is good. Marriage is love's great reward. A promise before God, to another person. Friendship, affection, charity and eros, shared with the faithfulness of vows.
Divorce breaks the vows, steals the friendship and disrespects the parties involved.

Doing good can be many things. Sin on the other hand falls in two contexts. Sins of omission, and sins of commission. It can be defined fairly simply:
Taking a thing and twisting it, commission - a truth twisted, a promise broken, a good thing done at the wrong time, or in the wrong way. eg. Eating too much (gluttony), having sex outside of marriage (fornication), taking something that you didn't work for (theft).
OR in not doing it at all, omission - not giving (greed), not caring (pride), not getting out of bed laziness)
Oh man, thats not a great answer. That would require a book of several volumes. (About 66 volumes in fact...)

Can someone be saved while living a life of sin?

Can a person be saved living a life of sin? Of course. When they
accept Christ, they are saved once and for all. (Thank God for
that!!!)
But the Bible exhorts us to test ourselves to see if we are really of
the faith. If you really have faith in Christ, you won't WANT to sin.
We had the Law before, but now we have the Law of Christ. Kinda like
your parent's told you to brush your teeth when you were little and
they were strict about it. But now you are older, you don't have to,
but you know you should and you rather want to (in part because you
know what happens if you don't and also, because you like it. Its
refreshing - just like doing the "right" thing.) One day we will be in
a world without sin, where morality won't really be spoken of except
as maybe kinda of a joke. As for now, if someone is vehement about
sinning, willfully sinning, with no regard to his Faith - indeed
against it - then I would say he may not be Christian. He is calling
"Lord, Lord," but with no real regards to the Lord. Doing things for
himself and saying they are for Christ. If I do something in my own
father's name, but i don't really check to see if its in line with his
plans or will or "morals" (and I SHOULD know anyway, as I am his son,
right?) than, I'm not really doing it in his name, am I? Its in my
name with a lie attached to it. Something likely to make him mad.

On the other hand, the individual may have the Spirit of God in them,
and God has much to work with, so that the person may simply not be
mature enough yet to a) know the difference or b) its so ingrained in
them from a past nature, that God is kind of fixing the foundations
before he starts building new walls. God will never satisfied with a
coat of paint or wallpaper. He wants the whole thing down. Not a stone
left. He is the stone. He doesn't want a better looking apartment or
even a house. He wants a mansion. He is coming to live in it Himself.
That is why people who are "nice" are not necessarily saved. Having a
pretty house or even a mansion is wonderful FOR THE WORLD, but if its
only tenant is you, you are still just ... you. And no matter how big
that mansion YOU have built is, when God comes, he is going to claim
ALL of it.

Do you get what I am trying to say? The Lord is not
concerned with appearances, even beautiful ones. He is concerned with
reasons. (and that includes the forthcoming actions, "faith without
deeds is dead") And the main reason He is looking for, is Him. Like I
said yesterday, that is nothing to do with His being proud or wanting
more, He is simple THE thing, THE being, THE most real, wonderful and
true thing there is. (Even saying that sounds weird) But since HE IS
Reality in and of itself, unless you are based on Him, you really have
nothing to stand on. And humans are unique in this world (perhaps the
universe) in that we alone can choose where we stand. Nothing else
really can. So when we choose to stand on our own, we are really
standing on nothing. If your friend is of the opinion that his actions
are still his own, then he would be very surprised to find out that
they are more a collection of things that has come flying at him his
whole life, opinions forced on him and desires of libido, moods of
digestion, and tastes of the palate. His own real opinion or desires,
he has probably never known, and certainly not understood. A man can
only truly understand himself in the Light of Christ. That is why so
many throw disdain on the Lord, because they haven't come to see What
or Who He Is. And when they do, they just fall down and cry HOLY HOLY
HOLY.
It is easy to say you love God enough to die for Him. Muslims kill
themselves (and others) everyday in that regard. But do you (or I?)
love Him enough to LIVE for Him - even to the point of someone killing
you over Him?

Is your friend going to Heaven? I don't know. But if he says "I trust
my soul to Christ, and give my whole heart to the Lord God Almighty in
Christ's Name" then yes. Can your friend say that and mean it? (Can I?
I hope so. And my Hope is Christ.)