6 December 2005

Stephen G. Ray, Jr. continues to talk about the impact of sin-talk when we attempt to discuss sexual orientation in "Do No Harm."

Ray notes that until recently mainstream Christian tradition has been nearly univocal: Same-gender sexual relations are an abomination; they are unequivocally wrong. This positions is concisely summarized in the following statement... "Jesus asked, 'Wilt thou be made whole?' to such a question, which the Savior still asks today, the homosexual sincerely desiring help must admit the sin of his past life, repent, accept forgiveness, and begin the struggle against his old nature." In statements such as this, one find ample evidence of what I have described as a defilement/essentialization model of sin-talk. In this context, homosexuals are depicted not only as doing bad things, but also as inherently corrupt in their being, in their "old nature."

I heard this attitude most clearly on the floor of a Synod assembly one year. At one of the microphones, a pastor tried to argue that we must "love homosexuals by being tough with them. We must help them stop what they are doing...we must call them into a new life." This meant, don't have them be full members within the church until they stop "being" who they are. In fact, it also was saying that homosexuality is a sin before we even begin talking about any action...and that reality, in and of itself, was enough to "dirty" the community. If that is all people can see in a person who is gay or lesbian bisexual or transgendered (GLBT), then there will be no conversation...there will be no coming to the table and sharing a dinner and each of us being able to share the love of Christ with one another. For when a person views GLBT people in such a way, how do they deal with seeing the love of Jesus exhibited in word and act by those who are supposed to be a defiled people. Do they simply disregard it as acting? Does that then mean that they disregard the power of the Holy Spirit to act through the waters of baptism to make all people children of God without any qualification? Is that not then, a stance contrary to the Holy Spirit. Well, for now I will stop.

Connection: Again, simply learn to listen to how we qualify sin within our religious life and within our society. I would submit that it is frightening to actually hear it...and it happens quite a bit.

My Lord, what a gift you have given us that we are called into community to experience the fullness of the way you present humanity to the world. Within the form of our own being, we must face the diversity of your creation that we often want to avoid. Lead us past our limited vision. Amen.