- 1 On Humanity
Homosexuality in Society
Over the last century, the view of homosexuality has undergone a dramatic transformation. In 1952, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified homosexuality as a disorder or perversion, warranting psychiatric treatment. This pathologization reflected the prevailing cultural attitudes of the time, which stigmatized and marginalized individuals who identified as homosexual. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant shift in societal perceptions of homosexuality. The DSM removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1973, claiming that it is not a pathological condition. Furthermore, there has been growing legal recognition of the rights of LGBTQ individuals, with many countries enacting laws that protect them from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
As a result of these changes, the public's view of homosexuality has become increasingly welcoming of homosexuality. Surveys conducted in recent years have shown that a majority of people in many countries now believe that homosexuality should be accepted and tolerated. This shift in attitudes has been driven by a number of factors, including the increased visibility of LGBTQ individuals in the media and popular culture, as well as the efforts of LGBTQ advocacy groups to raise awareness and understanding of the issues facing LGBTQ people.
Despite these developments, there is still significant opposition to homosexuality in many quarters. Most traditional religious groups often condemn homosexuality as a sin or a violation of traditional values. The Orthodox Christian tradition has continued to maintain its view of homosexuality, considering it to be a sin and a departure from God's intended order for human relationships. Though the church condemns the act, it continues to believe that all people are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with love and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” (1 Peter 3:15) “and on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23) When speaking about these topics we need to remind ourselves of gentleness and respect. These are complicated and deeply personal issues; they can be harmful and painful, so we need to exercise respect for the issues themselves and even more so to the individuals. Having respect also for the struggle they may be going through which we do not have a clue about, nor can we even come close to relating to.
Obstacles to Dialogue
In the realm of human communication, there lies a profound chasm between what is uttered and what is genuinely comprehended. My intention may be to convey the Christian perspective with utmost gentleness and respect, yet it is highly likely that my words will be interpreted in a manner far removed from my intended meaning. For instance, when I make an ethical statement such as "I think homosexuality is wrong," it may be misinterpreted anthropologically as "I do not accept you" or, more pointedly, "you are wrong." This disparity underscores the critical importance of considering two fundamental aspects: first, carefully examining my own intentions and the message I aim to convey, and second, analyzing how my words are actually being received and understood by the person on the receiving end.
To bridge this communication gap, we must exercise empathy and actively listen to the other person. It is essential to create a space where both parties feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or misunderstanding. This requires us to be patient, attentive, and open-minded. Furthermore, we need to be mindful of the context in which our words are spoken. The same statement can carry different meanings depending on the cultural, social, and personal context in which it is uttered. It is important to consider the potential impact of our words on the other person and to adapt our communication style accordingly.
Effective communication is a two-way street that requires effort, understanding, and a genuine desire to connect with the other person. By being aware of the potential for misinterpretation and actively working to bridge the gap between what is said and what is heard, we can foster deeper, more meaningful, and more compassionate relationships with others.
Clichés
In today's society, we are inundated with a plethora of clichés that are often used to address complex moral and ethical issues. These clichés can be problematic because they oversimplify the issues at hand and can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. For instance, the statement "this is an issue of human dignity and human rights" is often used to support a particular sexual lifestyle. While it is true that human dignity and human rights are important values, they do not automatically justify any and all actions. It is important to differentiate between anthropological statements, which describe the nature of human beings, and ethical statements, which evaluate the rightness or wrongness of actions.
Anthropological statements describe the nature of human beings and their inherent dignity and value. All human beings, regardless of their race, gender, or any other characteristic, possess inherent dignity and value. This dignity is based on the fact that human beings are created in the image of God and are therefore endowed with a unique and special status.
Ethical statements, on the other hand, evaluate the rightness or wrongness of actions. They are based on moral principles and values that guide our behavior. Not all actions are equally right or wrong; some actions are morally good and others are morally evil. The fact that all human beings possess equal dignity and value does not mean that all actions are equally right. For example, it would be wrong to say that murder is equally right as saving a life, simply because both actions involve human beings.
In order to address complex moral and ethical issues in a meaningful way, it is important to avoid using clichés and oversimplifications. We need to carefully examine the issues at hand and consider the different perspectives and values involved. We also need to be aware of the distinction between anthropological statements and ethical statements, and avoid conflating the two. By doing so, we can engage in more meaningful and productive discussions about the moral and ethical challenges facing our society today.
Sexual Christian Ethics
Christian ethics is not merely a separate discipline but rather an ambitious multidisciplinary endeavor that draws upon various fields of knowledge, including biblical studies, theology, philosophy, and the social sciences. This comprehensive approach is necessary to address the complex moral issues facing individuals and communities in today's world.
One significant aspect of Christian ethics is its understanding of human sexuality. Christian ethics recognizes that sex is a good gift from God with specific purposes. These purposes are best fulfilled in the context of marriage between a man and a woman. This view is based on the understanding that human relationality, including sexuality, is an aspect of the imago Dei, reflecting the image of God in humanity.
However, due to the fall of humanity, human sexuality has also been affected by sin and brokenness. This brokenness manifests itself in distorted relationships with God, self, others, and nature. Christian ethics acknowledges this fallenness and seeks to provide a framework for understanding and addressing the challenges it presents to human flourishing. The multidisciplinary approach of Christian ethics allows it to engage with a wide range of perspectives and insights on human sexuality. Biblical studies provide a foundation for understanding God's design for human sexuality.
There are four possible purposes of sex: consummation of marriage (Genesis 2:24), procreation (Genesis 1:28), love (Ephesians 5:25), and pleasure. the ethical status of any sexual act or relationship is determined by how well it aligns with the four purposes of sex mentioned above. Acts of sex that fulfill these purposes. Sexual acts outside of the institution of marriage are ethically problematic because they fail to fully achieve the purposes of sex as defined within this framework. Homosexual relations would also fail to meet these purposes. The Bible never talks about hetero or homosexual identities but only about the different acts, as in which acts are in accordance with God’s way and which ones are outside the will of our creator. As Christians, we are created in the image of God, yet still sinners, so our view of others should always be from the bottom looking up rather than above all looking down.
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;” (Genesis 1:26-28) Carrying the image of Christ to the world: “therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (1 Peter 1:13-15) We are therefore, instructed by the Holy Bible itself, to reproduce and repopulate the earth in the image of Christ, however all types of lust, including but not limited to homosexuality, hinders this wish.
The Holy person does not live in the lusts of the flesh but walks according to the spirit. The Holy person has two characteristics: their flesh is guided by their human spirit, and their human spirit is guided by the Spirit of God. So the Spirit of God is guiding the whole person – body and spirit, so we should be holy in both body and spirit. “For I am the Lord, your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44) “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8)
Thankfully, redemption even of our sexuality is possible, both via His common grace that works throughout the world and the salvific grace through which God forgives his people and fulfills his ultimate purposes by bringing them into his kingdom. Sex is God’s good gift to us, and we should rejoice in it without shame—within the limits set by God’s design.
Challenging Arguments
A common misconception is that “homosexuality is genetically caused and unchangeable.” The purpose of this argument is for the right to express a certain sexuality. Biologically, this is false, and it has been shown that our sexual orientation is not genetically determined and unchangeable. And even if it was, genetics does not dictate sexual ethics, upon which we have elaborated previously.
We may have heard “Well, homosexuality is found in nature and is therefore natural.” It is very dangerous to transfer what happens in the animal kingdom to human relationships which are much more complex, as well as less animalistic and uncivilized. Humans have complex moral frameworks and ethical systems that guide their behavior and interactions with others, based on concepts such as empathy, fairness, and justice. While some animals exhibit behaviors that could be interpreted as moral, such as cooperation, altruism, and empathy, these behaviors are often more instinctual and lack the abstract reasoning and cultural context found in human morality. For example, animals naturally kill each other but humans do not, so why would we want other aspects of our lives to be validated by them?
Next, “love can never be wrong.” Of course love is never wrong; we need to support and care for everybody, but not all love should be sexually expressed. Sexual acts can be right, or they can be wrong. Again, if love causes someone to kill someone, does it justify the act?
Lastly, a complicated thought arises when one says, “I have prayed about it and I feel peace about it from God.” In big ethical or theological issues, that is not enough, God guides us through reason, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible, which all need to come into play, otherwise it is really one’s own motives that are guiding their feelings. Arius prayed about his heresy and was convinced by it, this did not justify his heresy. There are many aspects to hearing God’s voice.
Evolution of the Cause
The term “homosexuality” was not a coined phrase found in original scripture. It was phrased in 1869 by a Hungarian journalist alluding to homosexuality as an identity. It made its way into the academic world a few years after that. The whole premise and thought of homosexuality as an identity comes from science and not from the Christian faith. It is man-made. The Christian perspective on our identity does not define us as merely “straight” or “gay.” Our identity comes from Genesis, wherein we are all created in the image of God: male and female. We are valuable, important, and loved by God because we are unique beings created in His image, which we must therefore uphold His image.
The Natural Man
Christ defines what He intended as natural when He said: “have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’. Our Lord has always made it clear what genders there have always been, and what each purpose is in a sexual relationship. “But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9)
Recall, in the Old Testament, when people walked according to the lusts of the flesh, God destroyed them: “then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:5-8)
People in the days of Noah and Lot were both destroyed with fire and water: the two things that also have the ability to save us. The difference was walking in the flesh rather than walking in the spirit. “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly … then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed.” (2 Peter 2:4-6,9-10)
Sexual Immorality and Homosexuality
We must be able to control our worldly desires, as they lead us down a path of sin and no life on earth is worth giving up an eternity in heaven with our Lord, who promises “I will give of the fountain, of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:6-8)
When it comes to homosexuality in sexuality, some misinterpret the meaning of the word as meaning pedophilia. But when put in light and context of the entire scripture, this cannot be so. Scripture does not just refer to homosexuality, it refers to the action and act itself as an abomination: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination… Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.” (Leviticus 18:22-24) In the law, God takes the enemies of the Jews and the destruction of these enemies to explain why they are an abomination. God wanted the Jews to do the exact opposite of what they saw their enemies and other nations do. This is true in both the Old and New Testament, however, only a few succeeded in this wish.
The infamous verse from the Holy Bible, directly renouncing homosexuality explains, “if a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13) There is no room for misinterpretation here. This is also iterated in a similar manner in the New Testament, lest someone claim it is an outdated law and Christ abolished it. Defiling the body is to dishonor the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; ...” (Romans 1:24-32)
“Gave them up” refers to the Grace of God leaving them, or in other words, silencing the voice of the Holy Spirit in their hearts by repeating sins without repentance and confession.
A Sin like all others
The sentence of those who practice homosexuality, or a life of sin in general, is very clearly laid out: “do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Recall the fate of the two lustful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, wherein they were given a chance to change their ways, but they choice a life of pleasing the ‘flesh,’ rather than the spirit: “as Sodom and
Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.” (Jude 1:7-8)
Additionally, “we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1:8-11)
Homosexuality is put on the same field as murder and lawlessness which are from the original Commandments from the Old Testament. Thus, we observe homosexuality being condemned in the Old and New Testaments.
The Solution: Standing Up for the Truth
Keep in mind, when we sin against our flesh, we sin against the Holy Spirit, and the light and darkness cannot coincide within us: “now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6:13-20)
Standing up for the truth is not to protect the church but to protect the sinner! Is it better to mince words so people are not offended, or is it better to be clear and correct them? By not correcting them we help them lose their eternity, and be condemned to eternal punishment. Furthermore, political correctness is distorting the truth and leads many astray. We need to go back to the ways of the early church: “so continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
The New Era
To identify with the lust of the flesh is the definition of living for the world of which God throughout the ages has condemned. When we start to identify ourselves with our sins, we have reached the level of silencing the voice of the Holy Spirit that convicts us to repent even if we continually fall. Defending a sin to be a character trait is a very late stage in sin and we need to make every effort to revive the voice of the Holy Spirit in the heart.
We are human beings, living together in this world, therefore, can it be anything like natural law? Can we look at humanity through the lens of design? What is the goal of something even if landed here through natural or evolutionary means? For example, an acorn has the possibility of becoming an oak tree, as it is designed this way, regardless of how it was designed. In this same way, are there indications for what human beings were designed for? And when we look at sexuality, are there things we can notice as indicators of what the ultimate design is?
The Three Basic Indicators
There are, first and foremost, physical indicators: a man and woman’s body belong together sexually, therefore these act as indications regarding what our bodies were designed for.
Additionally, there are reproductive indicators: biologically, it is obvious that sexuality and reproduction are connected, as we are meant to use the bodies our Lord has given us to reproduce. We are sexual beings biologically in order to mate and make sure our species does not die out. Therefore, homosexual relationships are by principal biologically sterile, and hence, unnatural. If a homosexual wants to recreate, they have to borrow from the heterosexual world, which happens regularly, through insemination.
Lastly, there are psychological indicators: homosexual relationships lack the complementarity of male, (respect component,) and female, (love component.) These factors are essential in any intimate relationship or marriage, and are lacking for those taking part in homosexual activities.
Can This Be Corrected?
As we are well aware, nothing is impossible for God. Whenever God gives a commandment, He also gives us the power to fulfill that commandment. “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3-4) Even if we tread down the wrong path, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Pope Shenouda mentions in his book on homosexuality some practical steps: they need to accept that this is a sin and not the will of God. Once they’ve repented, begin to enjoy the sweetness of spiritual life: prayer, contemplation, spiritual songs, the Bible, spiritual books, fasting, liturgies, etc. Additionally, if the spirit is strong, it can resist temptation. Servants and clergy need to pray, fast, and raise up liturgies in their names. Regarding medical treatment for homosexuality, trained clergy/individuals can work to find a root cause to treat: abuse physically, verbally, or mentally.
The Goal is Christ
Genesis, the Gospels, and the Epistles of Paul all agree that the Christian perspective on sexuality is summed up into two categories: God calls us to marriage between a man and woman in a life-long committed relationship. Rather, we can also commit to a single life, sexually abstinent, living for the Lord.
For anybody called to be a disciple, whether married or consecrated for the Lord, Christ tells us the cost of being a disciple: “he who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:36-39)
And this is the challenge that Christ gave us, that anything we have as a priority in our lives, whether relationships, possessions, or sexuality, He calls us to put Him above everything else.