HOMOSEXUALITY

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INTRODUCTION

At the present time, in our society, the criterion about the subject “homosexuality” has acquired a way very relaxed and of acceptance, specially by the concepts of the “individual freedom” and “sexual preference”.

Regarding the subject of the “individual freedom”, in the criterion commonest of the society every person has the own right to believe or to conduct himself/herself according to the own conviction, as long as this does not attempt express and directly against the general interest. As principle, the “individual freedom” of a person is something that by right sounds logical and that in last instance it is guaranteed by the law and Human Rights. Nevertheless, when applying this “freedom” in the land of the sexual moral falls in the relativity in which “everything” seems to be allowed and which is to criterion and in reserve of the same person, of his/her private life.

As far as the “sexual preference”, it is argued that there are different sexual preferences and of which the homosexuality is one. This concept of the “sexual preference” causes that the heterosexual relation (man-woman) is only one more of between the “sexual preferences” that we have today. Thus, a person can choose the “sexual preference” and practice it to “discretion”, thus obtaining personal satisfaction and a “personal self-realization”. In the case of the “sexual preferences”, that do not have as base the concept of a social or religious moral accepted generally, but that simply it is acted on the premise of “the emotional satisfaction of the individual”; in this case the homosexual person reserve for himself/herself the right of his/her emotional and sexual satisfaction.

I. Definition.

Homosexuality” is the inclination and sexual attraction that some people have by others of the same sex, a man feels sexual inclination towards another man and a woman feels sexual inclination towards another woman.

Homosexual” is a person, man or woman, who inclines to develop the sexual life based on some person of equal sex. The “active homosexuality” is when a person exerts and practices the sexual inclination with some of equal sex.

II. Homosexual problematic.

The problematic homosexual is complex. When biological factors as causes of the homosexual condition are exposed, some tend to favor the agreed criteria with the situation and environmental criteria (psycho-social) that cause the homosexual conduct.

Located in the area of “the psycho-social” factors, there are more or less identifiable variables. Such variables include so much the familiar atmosphere as the social atmosphere.

At the level of the family, some think that the homosexual conduct can begin to be generated around the six years old, when the infant does not have suitable referring of the relation a man-woman that their parents represent. Even if one of them is not; or also, if the participation and personality of some of the parents is annulled and absorbed by the other.

Also it is the case of the sexual attacks that the infant and/or adolescent can suffer at the hands of an adult (parents or a close relative). The sexual attacks always are traumatic to who suffers. This suffering will be deposited generally in the subconscious of the person; or it will accompany him/her in fears, nightmares, introvert and perhaps the development of a future homosexual conduct.

Equal it is recognized that some cases of homosexual conduct are in the induction that a person can be object in the adolescent stage. The one that induces to the infant or adolescent could be homosexual or a person that practice both relations (homosexual and heterosexual relations).

At the level of the social atmosphere, and considering the relaxation whereupon the moral is judged, it also can have subjects that, although the permanent homosexual conducts are not developed, at least they practice occasional homosexual encounter.

And also they are some figures or public personages, whose sexual relaxation, suggested or openly declared, will influence in the sexual criterion of the adolescents and young people.

Equal the referring one of friends and known homosexual will cause that the homosexual condition be seen with certain “normality” or acceptance.

III. The subject of homosexuality in the Bible.

Certainly, it is not an abundant issue, but there are several texts in the Scripture talking specifically about homosexuality. These texts are: Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1: 27; 1 Corinthians 6: 9; 1 Timothy 1: 10.

In the texts of Leviticus says: “You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is abomination to God. Of a man also lies with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.” These texts reveal a forbidden homosexual practice, probably something common at that time and not only in pagan religious rituals, but also as an alternative to sex life.

In the text in Romans, Paul argues on the basis that the homosexual practice is unnatural, because the homosexuals change the natural use into that which is against nature. Clearly, for the Roman society of the time of Paul, the homosexuality was accepted as in Greek society. But for the apostle is a direct violation of the natural order of the human beings who submerged in idolatry, twist the true knowledge of God.

In the text in 1 Corinthians there is a list of sins that goes against the order of God’s kingdom. In that list are the effeminates (Greek malakos), and the homosexuals (Greek arsenokoites). The malakos practiced the passive role in the homosexual relationship and the arsenokoites practiced the active role.

In the text of Timothy is written “arsenokoites

Old Testament as New Testament rejects and repudiates the homosexual practice. And although it is argued that the rejection of the Bible about homosexuality is conditioned by cultural and religious aspects, the truth is that the texts themselves clearly state that homosexual acts are against the divine provision and against the order of heterosexual marriage that God ordained (male-female).

It is important that it mention the fact that the texts mentioned above refer specifically to an active homosexuality and that there is not there an assessment of physiological or psychological causes of this abnormal condition. In any case, the cause is in the perverted and sinful situation in which the humanity is.

Some who are agree with homosexual conduct interpret that these texts refer to a libertine or promiscuous homosexuality, but faced a stable relationship and permanent union of homosexual couples, then there is not evidence to convict such a relationship. Interpretations like this serve as a basis to justify the homosexual conduct, and to organize churches for homosexuals, where they intend to live the Christian faith and to hold stable unions between homosexuals.

SOME PASTORAL TIPS

1. In addition to the spiritual advice, there be an accompanying therapeutic professional.

2. If you advise to an active homosexual, agreeing with him/her to stop his/her homosexual practice.

3. You must delicately ask about his/her health condition.

4. If you advise to a passive homosexual, advise him/her that during his/her faith process, he/she would not accept any invitation of an active homosexual.

5. The case should be handled and treated with the discretion and pastoral ethic that distinguishes to a servant of the Lord.

6. If there is confidence and maturity personal, the pastor can seek help of other brothers to support emotionally and fraternally the conversion process of the homosexual person.

7. In the area of the town, giving continuity and promotion to programs about family and sex education.

CONSIDERATIONES:

a) Conduct, even those with organic factors can not be accepted without questioning their natural, social and moral applications.

b) We are responsible because we can control our behavior, even if we fail to control our impulses and emotions.

c) The final judgment of sinners it is up to God, not men.

d) Homosexuality is not presented in the Scripture as an alternative to life as a couple, on the contrary, rejects homosexual behavior.

e) The Bible considers the homosexuality in humans as a deviation of the nature created by God.

f) In the Bible, the homosexual behavior is one of the signs of sin in the humans.

g) No one is born homosexual but the extraordinary factors are mostly that encourage the homosexual behavior (situational and environmental factors).

h) The modern society tends to relax its views about the sexual morality, considering this relaxation also as a sign of what is conceptualized as modern.

i) In some societies, the homosexuality is presented as a valid alternative of life in a couple and it is promoted.

j) In our society there is an increasing acceptance of the concept of “sexual preferences”, which determines the criterion of younger people, causing confusion.

k) In the family, there is a great lack of adequate preventive education to minimize the environmental or situational factors that cause homosexual behavior.

l) The scientific evidence has not demonstrated that the homosexuality is a direct result of genetic or hormone causes.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. We must recognize the monogamous heterosexual marriage because it is instituted by God according to the Scriptures; hence, we must reject the homosexual practices and disapprove the integration of homosexual couples because are contrary to the nature and order prepared by God to the human (male and female).

2. The heterosexual relationship is more than the union of two bodies: The harmonization of bodies and complementary personalities.

3. It is possible to reverse homosexual behavior, which in a slow process, who can incorporate these trends show a new behavior obedient to God.

4. The sexual experience is a gift from God, but is not essential for human growth. The only option different from heterosexual marriage is sexual abstinence. The real thrust of Christians is not what we are by physical constitution but what we by election.

5. It is our responsibility to make of our communities a place of Christian love, understanding, acceptance and support for homosexuals.

6. We must be against the marginalization or aggression to people who are homosexuals.

Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error. And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right”(Romans 1:21; 24-28).

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