Friday, June 28, 2013
Homosexuality: A taboo turning into a largely celebrated phenomenon?
by Zhelle Capindo
A Celebrated Controversy
In an interview with Boy Abunda of “The Buzz” last June 2,
Philippine pop star Charice Pempengco boldly announced that she is a lesbian and had same-sex relationships in the past. This revelation about her sexual orientation received praise not only in the
country’s showbiz arena but even internationally. Famous singers and actresses,
here and abroad, publicly expressed their appreciation for Charice’s courage to
expose her true sexual preference.
Below are few tweets for Charice quoted in AFP News the day
after her controversial revelation:1
"Dear @OfficialCharice have you any idea how many young
people you inspired today? More power, blessings and love to you!,"
tweeted Tony award-winning actress and singer Leah Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga), a
fellow Filipina international star.
"So Charice is out of the closet. Did that take her
talent away? Did it change her voice? NO. Same talented person, just
happier," added local celebrity Bubbles Paraiso (@bubblesparaiso) on the
social media website.
"So proud of you!" tweeted American celebrity
blogger Perez Hilton. "You are opening doors and hearts and minds with
your bravery and honesty! Leading by example! BIG HUG!"
As you can see, what was used to be a highly hot-button
issue to admit and accept a decade ago is now a largely celebrated phenomenon
not only in non-Christian countries but also in a country known to be the only
Christian country in Asia - the Philippines .
I remember I had a male cousin before who struggled to keep
to himself that he was gay for fear that his father and brothers might beat him
to death if he reveals his sexual preference. Being a gay or lesbian back then
was considered a disgrace to the family, but now those who publicly claim that
they are gay (which from this point will refer to both male and female
homosexuals) are some of the most celebrated personalities not only here in
Philippines but even worldwide. They are hailed as inspiration to many despite their
seemingly ironic lifestyle - professing devoted Christians but are having same-sex relationships known to the public.
What happened? What caused such a great change of mind? Did
the world become more understanding of them who prefers a different sexual
orientation other than what God designed them to be or have we crossed the thin
line between love and toleration? How should we really view homosexuality? Is
it a sin in itself or it is the homosexual acts that make it a sin?
These and a lot more are just few of the questions that
maybe many people also ask but could not find enough resolution so they settle
for what is comfortable or what the world dictates. Well, I am not here to give
you the solutions to these questions nor tell you to condemn those who claim
they are gay because I myself am in the process of trying to understand how to
react and respond to this issue in such a way that will neither condemn them
nor tolerate something that may not be righteous in the sight of God, our
Creator. So as we go along this topic, let us altogether discover what
homosexuality is all about, what the Bible say about this issue, and discuss
what our respond should be if ever this issue will arise in our family, church,
or ministry.
Homosexuality Defined
WordWed (a free software and database) simply defines
homosexuality as a “sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with)
persons of the same sex” while the Catechism of the Catholic Church broadly
defined it and its nature as:
Homosexuality refers to relations between men or
between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction
toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through
the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains
largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual
acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically
disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life.
They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be
approved.2
What the Bible Say
about Homosexuality
Nowhere in the Bible can we see explanations of what causes a person to be homosexual or whether homosexuality in
itself is a sin or not but we surely can look at verses which state that homosexual
acts are detestable before the eyes of God. Leviticus 18:22 says, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies
with a female; it is an abomination.” Such act was considered exceptionally
displeasing that whoever commits such detestable act shall surely be put to
death (Lev. 20:13 ).
But you’ll say, “That was during the Old Testament times. Is
it still applicable to us today? Isn't it too inhumane to kill someone for
having sexual relations with the same sex?”
Well, let’s see what the New Testament has to say about
this.
Paul, in his letters to the Romans, clearly said that men
who burned in their desire for one another are men who commit indecent acts,
and this is true with women as well (Rom 1:27). Further, he stated in the following verses that these men and women who disregard God and His ordinance knew that
whoever practices such things (i.e., committing indecent acts with the same
sex, greed, evil, murder, etc.) are worthy of death but still they do not only
do the same, “but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1: 32 ).
Hmmm! doesn’t that sound familiar? Are we not quick today to
celebrate practices which actually are contrary to sound teaching (see 1Timothy
1:8-11) because we say we love them and we want to accept them for who they are?
Please don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that we should not love and understand
those who are facing gender identity crisis. We are commanded to love others
and be considerate of them. Jesus Himself dine and spent time with “tax
collectors and sinners” (Matt. 9:10 -13).
He did not even condemn the adulterous woman brought to Him by the scribes and
Pharisees who suggested that the woman should be stoned to death as the Law of
Moses commands (John 8:1-5). But take note of what Jesus said to the woman; “I
do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11 ,
emphasis added).
So what?
By the example set to us by Jesus, we truly have no right to
condemn those who are into sin but that doesn't mean we are to tolerate
practices that are contrary to sound doctrine. There is always room for love
and acceptance but as Christians and followers of Christ, we are called to live
a life in accordance to God’s standard of what is right and wrong. Where can we
find that? It’s probably just there lying in your desk or stack neatly together
with your other books waiting for you to read it.
“Read your Bibles, pray everyday and you’ll grow, grow,
grow;” says a classic children song. It is true that there are some issues that
are not given clear or broad explanation in the Bible but as we read our Bibles
and know more of how Jesus spent His life here on earth, we can somehow know
how to react and respond to issues in life that are difficult to grasp. We grow
in our understanding of how to live our life here on earth as we daily seek to
obey God’s commands in how He wants us to conduct our ways - righteous and
pleasing before His sight.
It’s your turn
As I have mentioned above, I am still in the process of
understanding how to properly respond to this issue on homosexuality if ever
this confronts me in the future, say in ministry. So your thoughts will be
helpful. You may wish to comment on anything I have said above or answer any of
the questions below.
1. How can Christians of today effectively reach out to
homosexuals with the goal of winning them to Christ given the fact that the
world’s acceptance, or should I say toleration, of homosexuality is gaining
vast social and legal approval all throughout the globe (e. g. same sex
marriage, etc.)?
2. As a Christian, how will you react to a friend’s
confession that he/she is gay in such a way that will neither condemn him/her
nor tolerate his/her sexual preference which is obviously opposite to God’s
original design for him/her?
3. If you are a church worker or pastor, what action will
you take upon knowing that one of the most active youth leaders in your church
confessed that he/she is gay and is engaged in a same-sex relationship?
2From “What EXACTLY does the Catholic Church say
about homosexuality?” http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081003122723AAA84pH,
accessed June 26, 2013 .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)