It seems that there is a lot of misconception about the Christian stance on homosexuality.
Many think that Christians are hypocritical judges who selectively choose by which scriptures to abide.
Still, others claim that Christians should show love and tolerance toward the gay lifestyle and point out Jesus' attitude toward various sinners.
Then there are those who insist on quoting scripture, yet they themselves don't believe in the Bible's infallibility. I intend to clarify many of these misconceptions about the Christian view of homosexuality.
First, the true Christian embraces the Bible as God's unerring word. I realize that many who claim to be Christians don't believe that the Bible is infallible, but not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one.
To these people I have but one question—if you don't believe that the Bible is completely perfect, then why are you donning the cloak of Christianity, which is governed completely by the Bible?
Quite frankly, if the Bible is not completely unerring, then it is of no use at all. However, be assured that it is divinely inspired and totally unerring. God cannot lie.
Many will disregard this as mere opinion and adamantly state that God's word is not infallible. Regardless of what you choose to believe, truth is truth.
You have every right to believe that the earth is flat, but that doesn't change the fact that it is round. Likewise, you can truly believe that the Bible is not infallible, but that doesn't change the truth that it is. To the true Christian, the Bible is God's perfect word.
Now let me point out that the true Christian lives by the entire Bible. Hence, when Leviticus 18:22 says, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman...," (NIV) and when 1 Corinthians 6:9 says, "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor ... homosexual offenders ... will inherit the kingdom of God," (NIV) the Christian follows it accordingly.
Also, for example, when Leviticus 18:7 commands us not to have sex with our mothers, the Christian lives by it. The same applies for the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20) and so forth.
Some question why Christians "ignore" certain commands of the Bible such as regularly performing burnt sacrifices (Lev. 5) or not eating pork (Lev. 11). These people are obviously unread in the scripture, otherwise they would realize the ignorance of their accusations.
The truth is that Christians would still be performing burnt sacrifices, but when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, he paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Blood is still required for forgiveness (Heb. 9:22), but Jesus paid that price once and for all.
The issue of eating pork, shellfish and other creatures commanded against in Leviticus 11 is a bit more subtle. However, there is a biblical reason for the principles true Christians live by. Acts 10:9-23 tells of Peter's vision in which God made all creatures ceremonial clean for food.
I could delineate every nitpicky principle as directed by the Bible, but time prevents me from doing so. The whole point is that not only do true Christians adhere to the word, but they also have a good understanding of it.
Therefore, before one questions a Christian's adherence to the Bible, one must first study the Bible and have a good comprehension of biblical principles. Otherwise, that person's questions are ignorant.
I also will address the love and tolerance issue. The truth of the matter is this — Jesus did command us to love one another (Matthew 22:39). It is also true that his purpose was not to condemn anyone (John 3:17). A good example of this is the story of an adulteress in John 8:1-11.
However, before you are quick to point out Jesus' attitude toward the adulteress, remember that he also said to her, "Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11).
So, whereas he did not condemn her, neither did he condone her lifestyle. This is the same attitude held by true Christians towards homosexuals as well as all sinners.
True Christians love homosexuals, but that does not mean that they condone their immoral behavior.
Although God loves each and every person, he will not tolerate sin in his presence. He loves the sinner, but hates the sin. The true Christian's attitude is the same. Christians need not be characterized by hatred and bigotry, for these are not Christ-like attitudes.
Those who practice gay-bashing are not in God's will, so I want it to be clear that the true Christian does not in any way participate in that activity. You must realize that it is the sin, not the sinner, that gains disapproval of the Christian community.
So, in the same manner that a true Christian loves a drunkard but loathes the drunkenness, so does that Christian love the homosexual but abhor the homosexuality. This is the principle of love and acceptance portrayed by Jesus.
Previously, I pointed out the implausibility of the "gay gene." Many, however, were quick to point out various studies that show bits of linking data. This data shows that in the same manner that one may be born with a predisposition towards alcoholism, so may one be born with a predisposition towards homosexuality.
Nevertheless, this does not justify a gay lifestyle, as we'd all agree that an innate predisposition towards alcoholism does not justify being a drunken sot.
God has power to change lives, and he is ready to deliver any homosexual from his or her lifestyle.
A classic example of this is a famed song writer named Dennis Jernigan. Though he once was gay, God delivered him. Now he's happily married with nine children. Certainly, he is gay no longer. Likewise, all homosexuals can be released from their immoral lifestyle.
I earnestly hope this discourse has alleviated any confusion about the Christian view on homosexuality. I challenge the reader to study the Bible in depth to see for himself of herself that what I have written is true.
Finally, let me emphatically say that I am not about gay-bashing. I love all homosexuals, but to them I write as Jesus said, "Go and sin no more" (John 8:11).
david roberts is an aerospace engineering major from okmulgee.