Some of this post will sound weird at first. Sorry, it's just where my brain chose to begin.
I'm often amazed at people's ability to label and name things based on their own judgements. We so often see things through our eyes (naturally) and assume we know everything that is true about them. It is unfortunate. Sometimes, the more unfortunate things are those names which we give ourselves, both as individuals and as communities. The labels and stereotypes we choose to be defined by often cause us to have an unhealthy look both on ourselves, and on others.
Allow me a silly illustration to a very serious topic. Guys sometimes have the conversation (when girls aren't around) to talk about what it is about girls that most attracts us. If there are girls in the room, you will often hear the answers of "eyes" or "smile" or "legs" with the occasional bold man who goofily, but likely honestly will answer "chest." When girls aren't around, the answers get far more specific, or at least, far more honest. Hence my title. I'm a stomach man. The way I would most naturally begin an attraction to a girl is because of her stomach. I can't describe it well, but for these purposes I don't need to. (Don't worry readers, my wife and I have had this discussion already.) Here is what would be weird: What if my identity as I relate to most of humanity was found in the fact that I was a stomach man? Anyone who had different views than me, must not agree with me, and those who have the same view as me, obviously understand all of me. No other part of life matters, just my lens of physical attraction. It seems silly to me. It would also cause me to have an unhealthy view of myself (that through the eyes of lust) and an unhealthy view of others (that identity is rooted in sexuality). Yet still, so much debate takes place over the issue of homosexuality. Specifically, the church and homosexuals, or the state and homosexuals.
It's a fascinating subject that causes a lot of tension and argument. I can't find myself void of either, the tension or the argument, whenever I read about homosexuality and Christianity.
Today was one of those days. USAToday had an opinion blog (found here if you're interested) on one Baptist minister's interpretation of scripture. Of course, his interpretation of scripture also demanded his interpretation of the nature of same-sex attraction (that it is genetically given at birth). He had a stance. I don't think his stance is well founded, but that isn't the thing most puzzling to me right now. I am constantly puzzled as to what my responses to a people group (please don't read this as "homosexuals" as I'm not talking specifically about homosexuals with this statement) who need God should be. Where does judgement fit? Where must love prevail?
I'm not interested in the easy pat answers to those questions. I don't simply mean to hear back that we are not to judge, God is, and that love should always prevail. I am more curious about how I let someone know of the love that the Father has for them, but also of the gap between them and the Father.
My thoughts are numerous and rambling in my head right now. I'd love to "dialogue" (which on my blog tends to mean question and answer) more about this topic, but don't know which avenues I should be responding to.
So here is my plea for your help: What areas of this topic should I attempt to answer in writing? What thoughts should I try and put into words? These questions can cover any area of "homosexuality" as it relates to Christianity. I'll allow this to include my opinions on science vs. choice and the implications of either, on biblical backing for either view, on correct action as a believer, or anything else you can remotely fit into the topic. I need to do this exercise as much for myself as for anyone else's benefit, as this people group (this time I am talking about "homosexuals") is too often mistreated by religious institutions and individuals.
One last comment. You'll notice i try to put "homosexuals" in quotes when referring to it as a general descriptive term. This is because I don't see it as the best term. I've heard many discussions on what is most politically correct, but don't know anymore. When I say "homosexual" the only inference I am implying is that a person struggles with same-sex attraction. I am not implying sexual behavior in any means. I am not implying promiscuity in any means. If I ever come to a term (I often say when talking, "a person who struggles with same sex attraction") I'll use that instead.
Good luck sifting through this large topic and giving me guidance on where to begin tackling it in writing. Fortunately for me, I've tackled a lot of this subject in thought and prayer already.
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