Comparison of six views of
homosexuality with regard to:
Sexual orientation conversion rates,
Emotional & psychological aspects of homosexuality, &
Spiritual aspects of homosexuality
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The six viewpoints, from:
 | "Condemnation" -- the most conservative and
traditional -- to |
| "Liberation" -- the most liberal -- |
are actually
stereotypes. They don't necessarily fit the opinions of individual people. Many
will hold beliefs that combine more than one viewpoint.
Presenting data
in this way emphasizes that there are more sets of beliefs than the two extreme views that
one hears so often in the media.
| One sentence description (repeated):
| Viewpoint |
Description or main emphasis |
| "Abomination" |
Homosexuality is profoundly immoral at all times. |
| "Change is expected" |
Homosexuals can change their sexual orientation, with effort |
| "Celibacy is expected" |
Homosexuals must either change or be celibate. |
| "Marginally acceptable" |
Committed
homosexual relationships are the least awful option. |
| "Equality" |
Seek equal rights. Homosexuality, is morally neutral. |
| "Liberation" |
Reinterpret the Bible. Homophobia, not being lesgay, is the main evil. |
|
| Sexual orientation conversion rates:
| Viewpoint |
Sexual orientation conversion rates |
| "Abomination" |
This group believes that homosexuality is an addiction -- a habit
that needs to be unlearned before the individual can leave the
homosexual lifestyle and become heterosexual. A "cure" is certain if the
person desires it and is willing to work hard to achieve it. Opinions
differ about the speed at which the process will proceed:
| Some, following 1 Corinthians 6:11, believe that when a
homosexual repents of her/his sin and trusts Jesus as Lord and
Savior, they will be immediately cured of homosexuality. |
| Others believe that homosexuality is caused by an
indwelling demon. Exorcism can cure the
homosexual in a single session. |
| Others believe that homosexuality is an addiction that needs
lengthy pastoral counseling, prayer, and/or reparative therapy. |
|
| "Change is expected" |
This group firmly believes that the cure rate is very high; this is
the essence of their belief system about homosexuality. However, the
individual must first repent of their sin and have a genuine motivation
to abandon the disordered homosexual lifestyle. They must be willing to
commit a great deal of effort to engage in
reparative therapy and/or prayer.
Various experts who promote this viewpoint differ on the average
length of time needed for a cure.
Some experts feel that some homosexuals will not become fully
heterosexual, but will achieve a bisexual orientation. Still, this will
be enough to pursue a relationship with a member of the opposite sex
with the goal or marriage and children, even though major same-sex attraction
continues. |
| "Celibacy is expected" |
Very few people with a homosexual orientation can become
heterosexual. Reparative therapy and prayer have very low success rates.
However, God's grace will help the individual lead a life of celibacy
and accept the loneliness of not having any possibility of developing an
intimate relationship with a partner. |
| "Marginally acceptable" |
This group agrees that the success rate of therapy and prayer is
very low. However, the homosexual must first try to achieve change. It is only
after every effort has failed that it is morally permissible for them to
seek a loving, committed, same-sex relationship. |
| "Equality" |
Sexual orientation in adults is immutable. There are serious hazards
in trying to seek reparative therapy. The inevitable failure can
generate serious depression and suicidal ideation. |
| "Liberation" |
This group agrees that sexual orientation cannot be changed, and
that therapy is dangerous. Sexual orientation is a gift of God. It
should be joyfully accepted, enjoyed responsibly, and used to form
loving, spiritually expanding relationships. |
|
| Emotional and psychological aspects of homosexuality:
| Viewpoint |
Emotional aspects of homosexuality |
| "Abomination" |
Author L.R. Holben describes this group as believings that:
| Homosexuals are only capable of lust, not of love. |
| A large percentage are abusive pedophiles and are thus an
extreme danger to the young. |
| Over time, a homosexual will "sink into deeper and deeper
levels of vileness and depravity." |
| They seek the "corruption of all that is good and
wholesome..." |
|
| "Change is expected" |
Homosexuality is a type of psychological impairment caused by
arrested development. Homosexuals relate to others as: "incomplete
members of their own sex." 2
Same-sex committed relationships are always severely limited in depth
because both parties are seeking to fulfill their immature needs. |
| "Celibacy is expected" |
The homosexual differs from the heterosexual only in one area: the
sex to whom they are sexually and emotionally attracted. Homosexuals
are quite capable of entering into mature, loving, committed
relationships, just like persons of other sexual orientations. But, they
are expected to remain celibate. |
| "Marginally acceptable" |
Homosexuals are not necessarily neurotic disturbed. Some can achieve
the same depth in their loving relationships as some heterosexuals. But
they are limited. They can never complement each other in a committed
relationship as can heterosexual couples. The can never experience the
joy of having children. |
| "Equality " |
Some homosexuals suffer emotionally from their sexual orientation,
because homophobia from others, and/or because they have internalized
hatred of homosexuality. But once an individual has fully accepted his
homosexual orientation, he/she does not differ from heterosexuals in
their ability to love and form deep and lasting relationships. A growing
number are open to having children. |
| "Liberation" |
It is homophobia that is pathological, not a homosexual orientation.
Homophobia causes people to hate gays and lesbians, even though they have been
made in the image of God. Some gays and lesbians may have psychological
work to do in order to overcome society's homophobia and/or their own
internalized homophobia. But this is the society's problem, not the
individual's. Otherwise, persons with a homosexual orientation are as
healthy as persons with other orientations. |
|
| Spiritual aspects of homosexuality:
| Viewpoint |
Spiritual aspects of homosexuality: |
| "Condemnation" |
Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian commitment.
"....homosexuality is
ultimately a rebellion of human nature against the divine creator."
3
"In Romans Paul teaches that homosexuality is absolutely wrong, that
it is coincident with and on a par with all kinds of other sin, and that
God forgives people of all kinds of sin, including the sin of
homosexuality." 4 |
| "Change is expected" |
Homosexual behavior is a sin, but is no more serious than other
sexual sins, such as adultery, or pre-marital sex. All of these
sins are as a result of the fall of humanity
in the Garden of Eden.
Same-sex behavior involves lust, not love, and rebellion against God.
God expects the homosexual to pursue healing. |
| "Celibacy is expected" |
The existence of homosexuality is one more indication of the
disordered nature of the world since humanity's fall. Merely having a homosexual orientation is not sinful. However,
acting on that orientation is always sinful, regardless of the nature of
the relationship. |
| "Marginally acceptable" |
Homosexuality is one of many results of the Fall. A celibate
homosexual can experience a deeply spiritual life. A homosexual in a
committed loving partnership will struggle with the imperfect nature of
their relationship in comparison to those which can be achieved by opposite-sex
couples. |
| "Equality" |
Having a homosexual orientation or engaging in same-sex behavior is
in no way different from the heterosexual equivalents. Both generate
pleasure, "self-transcendence and the deepening and sharing of
intimate partnered love." 5 |
| "Liberation" |
This groups agrees with the "Equality" belief system. Some
feel that they have a special responsibility to liberalize
Christianity's traditionally negative attitudes towards sexuality. |
|
 L.R. Holben, "What Christians think about homosexuality: Six
representative viewpoints," Bibal Press, (1999).
Read
reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store Moberly "Homosexuality: A new Christian ethic," James
Clarke Co., (1983).
Read reviews or order this book
1 - A. Mohler, quoted in: Fred Tasker,
"What does the Bible say about homosexuality?", Philadelphia Inquirer,
1997-JUL-13.
- Jonathan D. Inman, "Homosexuality
and the Scriptures: A Survey of the Central Texts,"
http://www.harvestusa.org/romans.htm
- Holben, op cit, Page 177.
* Quoted in Reference 1.
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Copyright © 2004 by Ontario Consultants on
Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2004-SEP-18
Latest update: 2004-SEP-18
Author: B.A. Robinson
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