Social Media Musings... page 6
Just stuff, posted from time to time, not necessarily in any chronological or topical order, but fitting with the general theme of this website.
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On Homosexuality and the Church
Facebook , June 7, 2019
The following comment was posted by me in response to a thread under a young friend's post on Facebook concerning same-sex attracting, and including the following meme quoting former US president, Jimmy Carter:
In particular, in this thread, this young friend and others were assessing the message of the Bible relating to homosexuality, and the opening reference to "purple people" was a light-hearted response to one writer's comment that, "...you know my history with this and I don’t hate anyone, straight gay, purple, white, short or tall." Well, maybe purple people should be judged. I mean, that's just weird.
More seriously, we do have to be careful of hyperbole and sensitivity in relation to this issue. We also have to be careful that we are not just following the trends of the day in adopting our view of it. We do need to read the scriptures thoughtfully and heed the words of living prophets. Éric-Jean says that the scriptures do not say that we should shun homosexuals. Well, not exactly; but, you know, Leviticus 20:13 actually describes a much worse kind of response to it. Thankfully, that is not our law today. |
In general, verses in scripture describing homosexual behaviour do clearly condemn it as contrary to God's plan and desires for us, and His commandments to us. To read the scriptures in any other way appears to be a twisting of their consistent message. That consistency belies any attempt to suggest it is just a product of scribal or translational error or interpretation as well.
But, just because scripture condemns a behaviour, it does not mean that we must condemn a person. In fact, to presume it does mean that is to presume more than the scriptures often say, and does, as Lori Michelini points out below, require us to ignore other prominent messages and directives in the scriptures - most notably the commandment to love, and the warnings against unrighteous judgment.
And, as Latter-day Saints, we are thankfully not dependent solely on ancient scriptures for our guidance. We have the benefit of living prophets who speak to us today, for and about today's issues. So, what do they say about it?
A superb contemporary reference is the essay currently on the Church website relating to same-sex attraction: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../same-sex...
It states, "The Church distinguishes between same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. People who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual can make and keep covenants with God and fully and worthily participate in the Church. Identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the Church, holding callings, or attending the temple."
Merely being 'gay' is not a sin.
Further, it says, "We may not know precisely why some people feel attracted to others of the same sex, but for some it is a complex reality and part of the human experience. The Savior Jesus Christ has a perfect understanding of every challenge we experience here on earth, and we can turn to Him for comfort, joy, hope, and direction (see Alma 7:11–12). No matter what challenges we may face in life, we are all children of God, deserving of each other’s kindness and compassion (Romans 8:16–17). When we create a supportive environment, we build charity and empathy for each other and benefit from our combined perspectives and faith."
It is more than simply implicit that treating people who identify as LGBTQ, etc., unkindly, uncharitably, harshly, antagonistically, etc., probably are sins. At the very least, they demonstrate that our own character and attitudes are far from those God ascribes to and desires from His saints.
The Church also provides many detailed and inspiring messages to support individuals and families (like that of Elder D. Todd Christofferson, whose brother identifies as gay) who are, as they put it, "navigating this aspect of mortality" -
https://mormonandgay.churchofjesuschrist.org/
A further reliable resource for some doctrinal clarification is this article on the Church Newsroom: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../same-sex...
In it, Elder M. Russell Ballard, is quoted as saying,"The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is."
And the Church clearly acknowledges how difficult the burden of living up to that standard can be, and encourages us to be empathetic, kind, and supportive to every person who is struggling to do so, just as we should be toward any person struggling with any natural tendency or inclination that leads them into choices and conduct that are contrary to God's commandments. Also, thankfully, we have every indication that repentance and complete forgiveness through the enabling, strengthening and sanctifying power of the atonement of Jesus Christ are available to every person who has sometimes failed in that struggle.
But, just because scripture condemns a behaviour, it does not mean that we must condemn a person. In fact, to presume it does mean that is to presume more than the scriptures often say, and does, as Lori Michelini points out below, require us to ignore other prominent messages and directives in the scriptures - most notably the commandment to love, and the warnings against unrighteous judgment.
And, as Latter-day Saints, we are thankfully not dependent solely on ancient scriptures for our guidance. We have the benefit of living prophets who speak to us today, for and about today's issues. So, what do they say about it?
A superb contemporary reference is the essay currently on the Church website relating to same-sex attraction: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../same-sex...
It states, "The Church distinguishes between same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior. People who experience same-sex attraction or identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual can make and keep covenants with God and fully and worthily participate in the Church. Identifying as gay, lesbian, or bisexual or experiencing same-sex attraction is not a sin and does not prohibit one from participating in the Church, holding callings, or attending the temple."
Merely being 'gay' is not a sin.
Further, it says, "We may not know precisely why some people feel attracted to others of the same sex, but for some it is a complex reality and part of the human experience. The Savior Jesus Christ has a perfect understanding of every challenge we experience here on earth, and we can turn to Him for comfort, joy, hope, and direction (see Alma 7:11–12). No matter what challenges we may face in life, we are all children of God, deserving of each other’s kindness and compassion (Romans 8:16–17). When we create a supportive environment, we build charity and empathy for each other and benefit from our combined perspectives and faith."
It is more than simply implicit that treating people who identify as LGBTQ, etc., unkindly, uncharitably, harshly, antagonistically, etc., probably are sins. At the very least, they demonstrate that our own character and attitudes are far from those God ascribes to and desires from His saints.
The Church also provides many detailed and inspiring messages to support individuals and families (like that of Elder D. Todd Christofferson, whose brother identifies as gay) who are, as they put it, "navigating this aspect of mortality" -
https://mormonandgay.churchofjesuschrist.org/
A further reliable resource for some doctrinal clarification is this article on the Church Newsroom: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/.../same-sex...
In it, Elder M. Russell Ballard, is quoted as saying,"The attraction itself is not a sin, but acting on it is."
And the Church clearly acknowledges how difficult the burden of living up to that standard can be, and encourages us to be empathetic, kind, and supportive to every person who is struggling to do so, just as we should be toward any person struggling with any natural tendency or inclination that leads them into choices and conduct that are contrary to God's commandments. Also, thankfully, we have every indication that repentance and complete forgiveness through the enabling, strengthening and sanctifying power of the atonement of Jesus Christ are available to every person who has sometimes failed in that struggle.