coptichymns.net - Sharing the Joy of Coptic Hymns Around the World

Steps towards Tolerance

By now, many people are aware of Western societys increasing tolerance to homosexuality. Homosexuality once carried a horrible stigma that brought a great deal of guilt and shame to gays and lesbians. The prominent stigma in the 1980s was due to the association of homosexual practices with HIV infection and AIDS. Since little was known about the disease, people were afraid of acquiring HIV and consequently shunned homosexuals from society. However, as we began to understand that HIV was not contracted by mere skin contact, and as HIV began to be more common in the heterosexual population, the stigma began to wear away. With no real threat to public health, apathy settled in and from it sprang the attitude of If it doesnt affect me, why do I care what other people do? The result was tolerance and acceptance of homosexual behaviour in society, which opened the door to erasing its immoral status.

Moral acceptance of homosexuality occurred gradually. Early on in the gay/lesbian rights movement, activists tried to chip away at societys barriers during the 1950s and 60s. However, this was a conservative public that had already fought the marriage of interracial couples, and so their progress remained limited. Right behind them though, was a younger generation more tolerant of multiculturalism and valuing the freedom and choice of individuals, an environment which seemed to soften the publics conscience. The biggest turning point that favoured the accommodation of homosexuality occurred when science seemed to support that there was a genetic link to a persons sexual orientation. If a genetic predisposition truly existed, society rationalized that a person could not be held accountable or deemed immoral if they had no choice in their sexual orientation. Though science was far from being complete or conclusive on the matter, gay and lesbian activists took to the streets with genetic claims for homosexuality. This social atmosphere, combined with the dismissal of any risk to public health, quickly resulted in the widespread acceptance of homosexuality.

Convincing the younger generation to be tolerant of homosexuality was easy, but gay rights activists were not satisfied. The current definition of marriage in the Canadian and American constitutions acknowledges only heterosexual marriages. However, many argue that because the relationship between two same-sex partners can be just as emotionally binding as a heterosexual relationship, same-sex marriages should be recognized by governments so that same-sex partners can enjoy the tax breaks and other benefits conventional married couples currently partake in. So gay/lesbian rights activists took the matter to the courts, attesting that the inability for same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses was unconstitutional and infringed on their free rights. However, governments and legislature buildings are still currently empowered by the older generation from the 50s and 60s, and so activists have met resistance in their most recent campaigns. Nevertheless, governments have been slowly losing the battle due to societys belief that governments have a diminishing role in defining morality. This is has become especially true in this age of multiculturalism, nihilism and moral relativism and an attitude of tolerance that discourages the imposition of moral principles on others. Thus, the governments mandate has become to protect and provide services to the people, rather than deem what is morally right and wrong. With societys indifference to their neighbours private affairs, to deprive homosexuals of the rights heterosexuals are entitled to is now viewed as a violation of rights.

Christian Standpoint Defended

As practicing Christian laypersons, we need to understand how we are to treat homosexuals in society. We need to have a practical, Christian approach to dealing with the homosexual movement in general, as well as on an individual basis with friends and colleagues in our schools and places of work. We need to understand how to condemn the action and practice, and at the same time show love to those who partake in this lifestyle. Only when we, as a body of Christ, put to practice these principles in a Christian manner can the world understand the true love that Christ commanded us with.

The Coptic Orthodox Church is quite clear on its stance on homosexual practices. The statement issued by the Holy Synod echoes the teachings of the Early Church with strong verses from the Bible and it references examples from both the Old and New Testaments. The statement chastises those who continue to believe that the practice is acceptable, and disapproves of same-sex marriages and the ordination of homosexual clergy in other denominations. Notice that the statement is against homosexual behaviour, and not against homosexuals as people. As much, from a Christian standpoint, the matter is black and white: homosexual practices are sinful.

The firm stance has been met with distaste from the public. As a society that judges individuals based on their actions, many see the strong standpoint against homosexual practices as an attack on the people themselves, and this has resulted in the labeling of Christians as homophobic and in some cases, homosexual haters. Much of this stems from the belief that homosexuality is in part genetic. The implication is that the all-loving, all-just Christian God, in His fairness, could not give someone a genetic predisposition to be homosexual when it is clearly a sin. Surely a person cannot be held accountable for something they did not choose, much less for something God gave them.

However, a closer inspection of the Christian standpoint can help to clarify some misconceptions. Firstly, a genetic predisposition to any adverse trait does not excuse the person of its consequences. Consider the following: we know that a genetic tendency to be short-tempered or violent exists and in extreme cases, can manifest in wife-beatings and serial killings. Because of the harm inflicted on others, society is unanimously intolerant to these behaviours and has established clear laws and penalties against offenders. Clearly then, genetic links do not excuse people from the consequences of the law.

It is important to not that the self-control demanded from the violent husband seems like something reasonable for us as a society to ask, even though this particular individuals genetic makeup puts him at a disadvantage, and makes it harder for him to practice control than the average person. Moreover, the penal system also allows for the rehabilitation of individuals and serves more lenient sentences to those individuals who agree to sessions that help tame their violent behaviour. For less severe cases, the bookstores are filled with anger management and self-help books to help people achieve self-control. Implementing and supporting these programs shows that the general public believes that genetic traits can be altered by a humans free will, determination, and perseverance.

The above example can then be evaluated from a Christian perspective. The violent behaviour is regarded as a sin and a violation of the commandmentsÜ the law of God. The view is that the person needs to embark on a struggle to rid him/herself of these tendencies, and Christianity affirms that by a persons free will and the loving help of God, one is able to change his/her actions and behaviours through persistence and training. Therefore, the violent husband willingly chooses, out of his deep and sincere love for God, to struggle with his nature and curb his natural instincts, in an honest attempt to try and fulfill the commandments of his Saviour. If you love me, keep My commandments. (Jn. 14:15, NKJV). Indeed, this is the call to all Christians, regardless of there vice.

Therefore, this example can be extrapolated to the case for homosexuality. First, Gods commandment is that homosexuality is wrong. Just like genetics does not excuse a murder from obeying the law, so here a possible genetic component to a persons sexual orientation does not excuse them of this law. The homosexual person then has a choice to make, and for his love to Christ, needs to accept his cross and struggle with the sexual temptations that befall him. Note that this approach falls short of classifying the genetic trait as a disease. A psychiatric disease needs to be crippling, but in the case of the temperamental husband or the homosexual, these behaviours do not impede their other regular day activities. Therefore, we refrain from labeling homosexuality as an illness or a disease. We also refrain from judging the person because s/he is homosexual, as we recognize that these individuals simply have different struggles, and that we need only focus on our own struggles and pitfalls which God has permitted for us.

Truly it seems unfair. The gay person is left either to marry and partake in heterosexual sex, or to abstain from sexual relations altogether. However, the calling only seems unfair because we live in a world with such a heavy emphasis on sexual pleasure, and gay persons engage in a behaviour that causes no harm to anyone around them. In truth, this Christian approach to homosexual behaviour is no different than any other sin.
The matter can indeed even be taken one step further. God has called all people to be virtuous, and of these virtues we are to acquire, chastity is highly revered. This call to chastity is to all peopleÜ homosexual and heterosexual alike. Therefore, no matter your sexual orientation, a commitment and deep love for God calls us all to abstain from sexual practices and keep the body in virginity and purity. Christ even extended this concept of purity to the mind, so that even our sexual thoughts need to controlled. Therefore, Christianity does not view heterosexuals any less sinful if they do not strive to remain chaste and pure. In fact, because sexual drive also has a genetic component, the hardest strugglers are those who have been given a strong sexual drive, regardless of the orientation, as they have a harder time curbing their sensations in a world ridden with sexual temptations. In lieu of this, it is now easily reocognizable that regardless of a persons genetic makeup, Gods divine justice is not challenged when He deems certain actions that may seem instinctual to a person, a transgression.

Therefore, the same principles that applied to the case of the violent man are applied to all people without bias. It extends from the short-tempered husband, to the homosexual, to the heterosexual, and to all human beings. Evidently then, the Christian approach to disapproving a trait that might be genetic is not as perverse as it first seems. The underlying principle is that out of the love and devoutness any individual has toward God, they will be willing to concede to His requests and accept the challenges they have been born with, and God in His fairness, will judge according to His mercy and the sincerity of heart of the person.

Christian Approach towards Homosexual Individuals

Thus far, everything that has been mentioned regarding the immoral character of homosexuality has been based on the Christian commandments and basis of morality. Consequently, a person can only truly be convicted that homosexuality is wrong if s/he is a believing Christian. To argue against homosexual practices without a Christian backdrop results in a failure to persuade others, similar to the failures that governments are currently facing. As a result of this, a non-believing homosexual must first believe in Christianity in order to be convinced that his actions are wrong. As mentioned earlier, the Christian homosexual needs to undertake the spiritual training and endure the struggles of his/her cross for the sake of their Lord.

What about the Christian heterosexual then? How do we deal with friends and colleagues who are homosexuals? The first thing to do is pray. It is such a simple answer, and seems like a regurgitated answer, but the truth of the matter is that you are not going to convince anyone that their actions are wrong, especially in a sensitive matter such as sexual preference. Conviction comes from God, so pray that God opens their mind and understanding and leads them to repentance. If God answers this one prayer, and the person repents, then you have helped save one soul, and there is no greater love or accomplishment than this.

Next, we need to remember not to judge others. Homosexual behaviour is indeed wrong, but it is no more wrong than the heterosexual who lusts in his/her mind over another, as this too is against the commandment of Christ. So we must not despise anyone, but treat them with the same love and respect that we would treat our other friends. For each of us have our problems: let he who is without sin throw the first stone. Thus, lack of judgment is embedded in Christian teaching.

The problems arise when attempting to determine what the limits of contact are, or of having a relationship with someone who is a homosexual. Since homosexuality is a sin, just like any other sin, then your dealings should not be limited as compared to any other sinner. However, youth are often told not to associate with homosexuals, and this is often interpreted as discriminatory. People then judge the church leaders as old-fashioned and treat them as if they do not understand the real world. However, with a closer look at the admonition, we can see that this is standard Orthodox advice that is current with the times, and again, no different than the treatment of other sins. With those homosexuals who are Christian and struggling with the sin, it is not so much an issue. Most priests/bishops will tell you to encourage your friend along the right path. For those who are Christian and are not yet convinced their actions are sinful, they are like the non-Christian who is not convinced. In both these latter cases, the person wishes to justify his/her actions, and may try and convince you that what they are doing is right. This occurs with people who think dating (heterosexual) is right, or clubbing, or drinking, etc. One should realize that it is not our job to convince them. In fact, no convincing is needed since the Bible is clear on the matter. The person needs to realize that these are Christian principles. If the person does not share the same views as you, then perhaps this is not a friendship to be pursued. If it is not a new friendship, perhaps this is a sign that you two are going in different directions in life. Pray for them, but realize that if you have different viewpoints on important issues, then you probably differ in a lot more. Just as a priest/bishop would tell you to keep from associating with Christians who go clubbing, the same advice applies to the homosexual who is not convinced that his/her actions are wrong. Therefore, we see that the advice given in associating with homosexuals is no different than in associating with other individuals who practice unchristian behaviour.

Christian Approach to Society's Acceptance

In society, we as Christians need to speak out to governments, and show our disapproval of legalizing the marriage of same-sex individuals and their adoption of children. The church cannot accept the legalization of gay marriages because it serves no purpose in the Christian context. To say that marriage is a way to help these people deal with their sin is utterly wrong, in much the same way that it is wrong that heterosexual marriages help people deal with their sexual passions. This is not an acceptable purpose for marriage (and unfortunately this is a commonly held belief), and the church will not support any marriage based on sexual needs and desires. Furthermore, allowing same-sex marriages endorses the act, and belittles the gravity with which the Church views the offense. For these reasons, the Church cannot approve of same-sex marriages.

The adoption of children is based on this as well. The resultant environment from a gay couple and an adopted child does not represent a Christian family. We know a child learns what is normal and what is right and wrong from their moral value system at home and the behaviour of their parents. If they grow up in a home of homosexuals, then they think this is acceptable. Indeed, it might give them the inclination to be homosexual when they grow up. The result then is a non-Christian family unit. Surely this cannot be endorsed by the Church as well.

So as Christians living in the community, it is up to us to speak out to governments against any actions which endorse sinful acts. We should speak out against gay marriages with the same emphasis that we speak out against the legalization of drugs. It is our duty to try our best to influence the government and make our voices heard, just like the gay activists have made their voices heard. We are responsible for the environment in which our children live in, and if we are not active in opposing the gay movement, then we are responsible for our children living in a worse society than the one in which we were brought up. Even if our efforts yield no results, we must do what we can and speak out as Christians, not only for our children, but as part of our ministry in preaching Christianity.

Conclusion

Therefore, homosexuality can only be argued as morally wrong from the standpoint of Christianity. Using verses from the Bible and the concept that mans body is Gods creation, the Holy Synod does exactly that in its official public statement on the issue. To argue that it is wrong without a Christian perspective is futile, and one descends to the same fate that governments have already. With that in mind, to convince a homosexual that what s/he is doing is wrong requires you first to convince her/him of the principles of Christianity. Personally, we need to treat all with love regardless of their weakness, and we should not judge anyone based on their faults. Finally, we must be proactive to make the Christian view heard in society, as this is our duty to our children. Let us pray for all those afflicted with this difficult struggle, and may God reward all those who overcome it in His heavenly Jerusalem, for unto Him only is glory due, forever and ever, Amen.