If you're here, you must either be a friend of mine or you were probably just enthralled by the title. I've just gotten home from a Young Adults Dialogue Session from my church and the topic was on the LGBT issue, that has, so often, been brought up over the last few months. Just a quick recap, this whole LGBT fiasco was triggered by the fervent campaigning by activist group "Pink Dot" and was further exacerbated by the backlash campaign from the Muslim and Christian community.
I'll just like to shed some light on the whole LGBT issue, not only based on my own observations but also the sharing from this session as well as articles that I have read. However, first of all, let me share why this matter affects all of us: The LGBT discussion has brought attention to a longstanding polarization of views around a complex and commonly misunderstood subject; and this can bring about a number of consequences - be it to do with relationship tensions, political pressure and social fabric.
Tonight's session was really informative yet concise. I'd say that the Pastor (and Chairman of the sharing session) did a really good job of skimming the surface of issue; and was careful to not go in too deep the issue. This is beneficial to everyone: it gives us the big picture of the reality of the LGBT discussion in our society, introduces us to who we are dealing with and most importantly, challenges us to reevaluate our stand to the issue and find out the clear reasons for doing so.
What was shared during this time put things into perspective. Who are we really dealing with? Are we handling our responses the right way? Well, first of all, we have to recognize that the LGBT community can be categorized into 4 main groups, namely: activists, moderates, strugglers, and overcomers. Activists are mainly those who are determined to change the system in order to 'fight for their rights'. They believe that the system and law is flawed; and see themselves as ambassadors of such movements. Moderates, on the other hand, do not engage in public discourse but rather keep their lifestyle to themselves and just follow the current laws. They may have identified themselves as homosexuals and are okay with that. Strugglers are individuals who may have been involved in homosexual acts but are aware that it may not be right and are trying to overcome their urges. Lastly, the overcomers are a group of people who have managed to overcome their urges and although the feelings of urges come once in a while, they are able to withstand it and control themselves.
Now that we have identified who we are talking about, it is only logical to discuss further into the truth behind the origins of LGBTs and how then, we should handle our interactions with people, friends and family, who may be a part of the LGBT community. However, our session did not manage to go deeper into a debate regarding the truth (for the sake of just bringing up and familiarizing ourselves with the issue at hand - I should be uploading an installment to this debate in the near future) but I suppose the stand of Christians is clear: Homosexuality, sola scriptura, is a sin; and hence it is a lifestyle Christians will choose not to condone. That being said, just because Christians do not accept the lifestyle of LGBTs, it does not mean we aren't able to befriend them and love them just like any other individual. Allow me to illustrate:
"Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." - John 8:7
This verse tells us that we are all sinners. As sinners ourselves, what right do we have to condemn another sinner? Who are we to say that the sin of homosexuality is more sinful than the sin of lying or the sin of adultery? To God, all sin is the same and it is a violation of his commandment. It is only by the redeeming grace of Christ that we are able to live a new life and free ourselves from the bondage of sin.
"Then neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin." - John 8:11
Jesus was forgiving and refused to condemn the woman of her adultery in John 8. He did, however, ask her to repent from her sinful life so that she may experience life free from sin. Likewise, as sinners ourselves, we have no right to condemn those in the LGBT community but instead, we should help them (and ourselves at the same time) to leave their life of sin. We can only do this by first loving them and gaining their trust; by being a friend or a fellow brother/sister to them so that they may come to know the love of Christ and hopefully, see things from a different perspective.
With regards to how we should handle personal relations with others who may be part of the LGBT community, one of our elders gave an insightful response: We could first ask them if they would like to have just one conversation about the topic; and then we'd share the Christian stand on the issue. After which, it is up to them if they'd like to bring the discussion further to the next stage. Another response that would really show our sincerity to them could be:
Friend: I'm a gay/lesbian... Are you homophobic?
You: Like you, I too am a sinner, no less worthy of condemnation than you.
Friend: (Remains surprised)
You: Let us journey with God together to overcome our struggles.
Yes, it is indeed powerful and I honestly think it's a response that would throw your LGBT friends/family off - it will leave them confused at your lack of condemnation for them but yet touched by your sincerity and love.
Allow me to share something that I found on Facebook awhile back:
I went to church with my family tonight and the pastor said something that I think every Christian should hear.
Pastor: Now, according to a few passages in the bible, homosexuality is a sin.
Couple of older males in the audience: Amen!
Pastor: Now, wait, I'm not finished. You know what the bible defines as a sin? Divorce.
-uncomfortable silence-
Pastor: There are countless passages that talk about how divorce is wrong, and that there are consequences to getting a divorce, such as the wife should be stoned. Yet, I witnessed a divorce just this morning. And I gotta tell you, it was heartbreaking, but i definitely didn't attempt to throw rocks at the wife, even though she was the one who filed for divorce.
Pastor: We choose to overlook the consequences of divorce because time has proven that they're inhumane and cruel. The bible doesn't say anything about the consequences of a homosexual lifestyle. Yet, we seem to be spearheading a campaign to ruin the lives of people we don't even know.
Pastor: The bible states to love thy neighbour. That's it. There are no other rules or restrictions according to that passage. So, we as a church family have to support equality with a smile on our face. THAT is the true Christian way.
I suppose the text speaks for itself but in essence, we as Christians should aim to love and accept the LGBT community but at the same time, not to compromise on our stand towards homosexuality. In a still conservative country such as Singapore, there is a need to maintain status quo so that there is still social cohesion - we cannot allow the argument of two different perspectives polarize our society. Alastair Su, a fellow church member, eloquently and masterfully writes about this issue in his blog ("Please Don't Bring the Cultural Wars to Singapore": http://lemoulard.wordpress.com/)
Lastly, I'd like to highlight the differences between a cause and a calling. I believe that a cause is something that we fight for to achieve it - be it a particular goal or outcome that we want to see whereas a calling is something that we are called to do (in this case, called by God). I do not see the LGBT discussion as something that should be our cause. Instead, we are called by our Lord to love our neighbour and hence, let us show the LGBT community and the rest of the world that as Christians, we mean not to discriminate against them but rather to love them and befriend them - that their lifestyles do not lessen the care and concern we have for them as fellow human beings. That, albeit an ideal, is what I truly believe in.
Hopefully I will find some time next week to learn more about the debates surrounding the LGBT discussion, for instance, the origins of homosexuality and what respective authorities have to say about that. Till then, I pray that you will learn to accept others and to truly love them as Christ would have done. I wish you a good weekend and a great week ahead! Take care and give thanks to the Lord.
God Bless.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1
Matt
Now that we have identified who we are talking about, it is only logical to discuss further into the truth behind the origins of LGBTs and how then, we should handle our interactions with people, friends and family, who may be a part of the LGBT community. However, our session did not manage to go deeper into a debate regarding the truth (for the sake of just bringing up and familiarizing ourselves with the issue at hand - I should be uploading an installment to this debate in the near future) but I suppose the stand of Christians is clear: Homosexuality, sola scriptura, is a sin; and hence it is a lifestyle Christians will choose not to condone. That being said, just because Christians do not accept the lifestyle of LGBTs, it does not mean we aren't able to befriend them and love them just like any other individual. Allow me to illustrate:
"Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." - John 8:7
This verse tells us that we are all sinners. As sinners ourselves, what right do we have to condemn another sinner? Who are we to say that the sin of homosexuality is more sinful than the sin of lying or the sin of adultery? To God, all sin is the same and it is a violation of his commandment. It is only by the redeeming grace of Christ that we are able to live a new life and free ourselves from the bondage of sin.
"Then neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin." - John 8:11
Jesus was forgiving and refused to condemn the woman of her adultery in John 8. He did, however, ask her to repent from her sinful life so that she may experience life free from sin. Likewise, as sinners ourselves, we have no right to condemn those in the LGBT community but instead, we should help them (and ourselves at the same time) to leave their life of sin. We can only do this by first loving them and gaining their trust; by being a friend or a fellow brother/sister to them so that they may come to know the love of Christ and hopefully, see things from a different perspective.
With regards to how we should handle personal relations with others who may be part of the LGBT community, one of our elders gave an insightful response: We could first ask them if they would like to have just one conversation about the topic; and then we'd share the Christian stand on the issue. After which, it is up to them if they'd like to bring the discussion further to the next stage. Another response that would really show our sincerity to them could be:
Friend: I'm a gay/lesbian... Are you homophobic?
You: Like you, I too am a sinner, no less worthy of condemnation than you.
Friend: (Remains surprised)
You: Let us journey with God together to overcome our struggles.
Yes, it is indeed powerful and I honestly think it's a response that would throw your LGBT friends/family off - it will leave them confused at your lack of condemnation for them but yet touched by your sincerity and love.
Allow me to share something that I found on Facebook awhile back:
I went to church with my family tonight and the pastor said something that I think every Christian should hear.
Pastor: Now, according to a few passages in the bible, homosexuality is a sin.
Couple of older males in the audience: Amen!
Pastor: Now, wait, I'm not finished. You know what the bible defines as a sin? Divorce.
-uncomfortable silence-
Pastor: There are countless passages that talk about how divorce is wrong, and that there are consequences to getting a divorce, such as the wife should be stoned. Yet, I witnessed a divorce just this morning. And I gotta tell you, it was heartbreaking, but i definitely didn't attempt to throw rocks at the wife, even though she was the one who filed for divorce.
Pastor: We choose to overlook the consequences of divorce because time has proven that they're inhumane and cruel. The bible doesn't say anything about the consequences of a homosexual lifestyle. Yet, we seem to be spearheading a campaign to ruin the lives of people we don't even know.
Pastor: The bible states to love thy neighbour. That's it. There are no other rules or restrictions according to that passage. So, we as a church family have to support equality with a smile on our face. THAT is the true Christian way.
I suppose the text speaks for itself but in essence, we as Christians should aim to love and accept the LGBT community but at the same time, not to compromise on our stand towards homosexuality. In a still conservative country such as Singapore, there is a need to maintain status quo so that there is still social cohesion - we cannot allow the argument of two different perspectives polarize our society. Alastair Su, a fellow church member, eloquently and masterfully writes about this issue in his blog ("Please Don't Bring the Cultural Wars to Singapore": http://lemoulard.wordpress.com/)
Lastly, I'd like to highlight the differences between a cause and a calling. I believe that a cause is something that we fight for to achieve it - be it a particular goal or outcome that we want to see whereas a calling is something that we are called to do (in this case, called by God). I do not see the LGBT discussion as something that should be our cause. Instead, we are called by our Lord to love our neighbour and hence, let us show the LGBT community and the rest of the world that as Christians, we mean not to discriminate against them but rather to love them and befriend them - that their lifestyles do not lessen the care and concern we have for them as fellow human beings. That, albeit an ideal, is what I truly believe in.
Hopefully I will find some time next week to learn more about the debates surrounding the LGBT discussion, for instance, the origins of homosexuality and what respective authorities have to say about that. Till then, I pray that you will learn to accept others and to truly love them as Christ would have done. I wish you a good weekend and a great week ahead! Take care and give thanks to the Lord.
God Bless.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1
Matt
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