Replies

(You're right, madg: I should have pinged Bryan.)

Well, what I said about there being no evidence of a pathology applies to the orientation I guess, and the behavior itself would therefore not be pathological. I also see no reason to fall back on the notion of mental illness - rather than, simply, sin, or wrongdoing - in order to criticize homosexual behavior.

Of course, my own emphasis is on behavior, rather than orientation, because as a Christian I can accept that many people have strong temptations to do sinful things, but those people are not bad in themselves provided they resist such temptations. Which of us is perfect? All of us are tempted at times to perform actions that are illegal or immoral or sinful in the eyes of God. And many of us succumb to temptation. Which of us has not succumbed to the temptation to inflict hurt - physical or emotional - on a fellow human being? In this I count myself a sinner. All I can do is strive to be a better person and to try to listen more often to God's voice.

How could I forget that you were brought up a Christian? This is fundamental to your life, and you have known God, and maybe you still know God, but do you truly listen to Him?

Of course I regard "okay with gay sex" and "I am a Christian" as incompatible statements. Unlike Bryan, I do not doubt that many homosexual relationships can be loving and monogamous. Just because I condemn the behavior as a sin does not mean that I believe all those who succumb are in themselves malevolent or predatory - although obviously there are many homosexuals who are, as there are heterosexuals who are malevolent and predatory.

I reckon that the notion of homosexual orientation as a mental illness is a red herring. Although I am sure that Bryan and others who take the pathology line are sincere in believing this to be the case, I think it is good if people can honestly admit that they cannot accept homosexuality because they believe it to be entirely wrong as a behavior. The labelling of certain behaviors as the product of mental illness seems to me an easy way out.

As for legislation, well, laws are based on what society views as moral or immoral behavior, and that means that certain actions - theft, murder, etc. - are proscribed. No one is suggesting that those committing homosexual acts should be sent to death row. But what people do in their personal lives, if it involves OTHER people, is very much the business of society as a whole and therefore government and the law. What is not my business is what thoughts or desires are inside of your head or your body, but how you deal with those thoughts and desires is a matter for society. It is the ACTIONS that matter, not the thoughts that precede it.

Many people struggle against homosexual inclinations, and I think that those who have successfully fought against these should try gently to guide those less fortunate into a Christian way of life, and give advice on how to deal with the problem. It does not help to label a sinner as mentally ill.