- What is the extent and nature of homosexuality in our society?
Homosexuality refers to sexual interaction and/or romantic attraction between individuals of the same sex. In modern use, the adjective
homosexual is used for intimate relationships and/or sexual relations between people of the same sex, who may or may not identify themselves as gay or lesbian. Homosexuality, as an identifier, is usually contrasted with heterosexuality and bisexuality. The term gay is used predominantly to refer to self-identified homosexual people of either sex. Lesbian is a gender-specific term that is only used for self-identified homosexual females. (Wikipedia, 2007)
The word homosexual is predominantly used as an adjective, describing behavior, relationships, people, etc. Many object to its use as a noun. Many people reject all usage of "homosexual" as too clinical and dehumanizing, as the word only refers to one's sexual behavior, and does not refer to non-sexual romantic feelings. As a result, the terms gay and lesbian are usually preferred.
New terms are arising for use in situations where specificity is important. For example, men who have sex with men, or MSM for short, is sometimes used in the medical community when specifically discussing sexual behavior. Same-sex attraction focuses on spontaneous feeling, but de-emphasizes identification with a demographic or cultural group. Homoerotic is a synonym for same-sex attraction. Non-straight is another attempt at neutrality that is gaining currency. Some other terms are now becoming more prevalent, including heteroflexible to refer to a person who identifies as heterosexual, but occasionally engages in same-sex sexual activities, or metrosexual to denote a straight man with stereotypically gay tastes in food, fashion and design.
Academic Study
- Estimates of the modern prevalence of homosexuality vary considerably. They are complicated by differing or even ambiguous definitions of homosexuality, and by fluctuations over time and according to location.
- The then controversial Kinsey Reports of 1948 found that 37% of males had had some sexual experience with other men, and that 4% had always been exclusively homosexual. Among women, 2% and 6% had "more or less exclusively" homosexual experience.
- In the United States during the 2004 elections, exit polls indicated 4% of all voters self-identified as gay or lesbian. However, due to societal pressures, many who are homosexual may not be identify as such.
- In Canada, a 2003 report by Statistics Canada indicated that among Canadians aged 18 to 59, 1% reported that they are homosexual, and 0.7% reported to be bisexual.[4] At the same time, a Global Sex Survey by Durex for 2005 reports that 19% of Canadians claim to have had a homosexual experience, along with 20% of Americans.
Biology
- The neurobiology of the masculinization of the brain is fairly well understood. Estradiol, and testosterone, act upon androgen receptors in the brain to masculinize it. If there are few androgen receptors (people with Androgen insensitivity syndrome) or too much androgen (females with Congenital adrenal hyperplasia) there can be physical and psychological effects. It has been suggested that both male and female homosexuality are results of variation in this process.
Physiological differences in homosexual people
- Several recent studies demonstrate that there are notable differences between the physiology of a heterosexual male and a homosexual male. These differences are noted in the brain, inner ear and olfactory sense.
- Some recent studies have tied a correlation between the number of older brothers a man has and his likelihood of being homosexual
r increases the odds of being gay by 33%.
Homosexual behavior in animals
- Homosexual behavior does occur in the animal kingdom particularly in marine birds and mammals, monkeys and the great apes. Homosexual behavior has been observed among 1,500 species, and in 500 of those it is well documented.
Psychology
- Many modern studies, most notably Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
by Alfred Kinsey, have found that the majority of humans have had homosexual experiences or sensations and are bisexual. The Kinsey Reports found that approximately 4 percent of adult Americans were exclusively homosexual, and approximately 10 percent were homosexual in their behavior for some portion of their lives.
- Other studies have disputed Kinsey's methodology and have suggested that these reports overstated the occurrence of homosexuality in human populations. "His figures were undermined when it was revealed that he had disproportionately interviewed homosexuals and prisoners (many sex offenders)."
- More modern and precise research Sex in America: A definitive survey (1995) is now available from NORC and the University of Chicago by Edward O. Laumann, University of Chicago. "Results reported from the study, and included in The Social Organization of Sexuality, include those related to sexual practices and sexual relationships, number of partners, the rate of homosexuality in the population (which the study reported to be 1.3% for women within the past year, and 4.1% since 18 years; for men, 2.7% within the past year, and 4.9% since 18 years).
- Father-son Relationships and Male Sexual Development: Investigation into parent-child relations of homosexual and heterosexual men link the absence of sufficient bonding with same-sex parent or role models and the development of adult male homosexuality has been proposed.
Nature Versus Nurture:
Considerable debate exists over whether predominantly biological or psychological factors produce sexual orientation in humans.
Critique of Studies The studies performed in order to find the origin of sexual orientation have been criticized for being too limited in scope, mostly for focusing only on heterosexuality and homosexuality as two diametrically opposite poles with no orientation in between.
Behavior modification
- Homosexuality was officially removed as a disorder from the DSM in 1974. Homosexuality is no longer generally regarded as a mental illness or as needing "treatment", and there are also moves to delete "Gender Identity Disorder" from the DSM-IV Most mainstream medical and psychological organizations will not perform psychotherapy to change sexual orientation as they consider it ineffective and potentially harmful.
- Nevertheless, particularly religious ones, continue to promulgate the view that homosexuality is a defective behavioral condition which can be corrected with behavioral conditioning.
- Supporters of behavior modification point to people who claim to have experienced success.
- Today, the belief that homosexuality can be altered is most strongly promoted among American Evangelical Christians.
2. What are the primary positions held regarding homosexuality?
Societal attitudes towards same-sex relationships, reflected in the attitude of the general population, the state and the church, have varied over the centuries, and from place to place, from expecting and requiring all males to engage in relationships, to casual integration, through acceptance, to seeing the practice as a minor sin, repressing it through law enforcement and judicial mechanisms, to proscribing it under penalty of death.
Sexual practices: Homosexual men obtain physical pleasure in a number of different ways. One scheme breaks these down into four categories: mutual masturbation, full body (including intercrural sex), oral genital and anal. Mutual masturbation, intercrural sex and fellatio are the most popular sexual practices, in that order. In the United Kingdom in the late nineteen sixties it was assumed that no more than about 15% of practicing homosexual men took part in anal sex.
The range of homosexual female practices can include tribadism, mutual masturbation, oral genital, annilingus, fisting and the use of sex toys for vaginal or oral penetration or clitoral stimulation.
3. What are the key biblical texts that shed light on homosexuality and what major principles can be gleaned from these texts?
OLD TESTAMENT:
Genesis 19:4-8 (ESV)
But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them." 6 Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7 and said, "I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 8 Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof."
When the angels were in Lot's house all the men of the city surrounded the house. They wanted to have sex with ("to know," sexually) Lot's visitors. They wanted homosexual relations with these two who they thought were men. As angels, they apparently were handsome.
Some revisionist argues that the reason Sodom was destroyed was not because of homosexual behavior, but because of rape or inhospitality. This is weak. The word "know" (Hebrew "yada") doesn't mean rape when referring to sex. It refers to intimacy. Also, if we let scripture interpret the scriptures a few other bible authors had something to say on Sodom. Both Peter and Jude wrote about the unnatural lusts of Sodom, and this behavior being sinful.
Leviticus 18:22 (ESV)
You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Leviticus 20:12-13 (ESV)
If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
The context of these two passages is significant. Both passages are dealing with Israel's neighboring countries and their sexual practices. Homosexuality is not singled out! There are a few other sins mentioned as well. The boundaries in creation are being denied and thus, being acknowledged as sinful behaviors.
Deuteronomy 23:17-18 (ESV)
"None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, and none of the sons of Israel shall be a cult prostitute. 18 You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.
Temple prostitution was common in the religions of the ancient Near East.
The words for prostitutes here indicate that prostitution in general was in view, not specifically temple prostitution. The word for female prostitute is zônâh and the word for male prostitute is keleḇ (dog). A vow was not to be paid with money obtained from this sinful practice. If verse 18 interprets verse 17 than it is assumed the men were going to the male prostitute and again homosexual behavior is condemned by God.
Judges 19:22 (ESV)
As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him."
Reminiscent of the wicked Sodomites in the time of Lot (Gen. 19:1-11), the wicked men of Gibeah surrounded the house and demanded that the old man send out the Levite to satisfy their homosexual desires. Considering the laws of hospitality more important than chivalry toward the opposite sex, the old man offered them instead his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine. The men either did not hear or refused his offer, but when the Levite thrust his concubine outside to them, they took her and sexually abused her throughout the night. At daybreak she was released to return; she fell at the door of the house where she died. Here is a case of heterosexual rape and homosexuality, both being condemned behaviors.
1 Kings 14:24 (ESV)
and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.
Job 36:14 (ESV)
They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.
True sinners, the godless in heart, resent problems by which God may bind them (36:8). They refuse to cry for help or if they do, it is not in sincere repentance (27:8-9). Here, sinful sexual behavior is punished with a short life. In Conclusion for The biblical Old Testament position on Homosexuality, it is prohibited to all persons of whatever psychological state because it is seen as a falsification of the creation order of God and out of God's character.
NEW TESTAMENT:
In Matthew 19:4 Jesus says God created us male and female. In verses 5 and 6, Jesus talks about the two coming together in one flesh. Some say Jesus didn't condemn homosexuality. The burden of proof is on them to indicate that Jesus went against his Jewish heritage and the scriptures. Jesus never anywhere is recorded to say that he considered homosexual unions, or homosexual behavior, to be an acceptable lifestyle. We also can't assume Jesus was unaware of homosexual behavior (hence Leviticus 20:13) because of scripture written against the behavior and also because of the culture he lived in. Homosexuality was practiced among the Greeks and the Romans.
Romans 1:24-27 (ESV)
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
One aspect of mankind's corruption was sexual profligacy. The frequency of live-in lovers, wife-swapping, and group sex parties today only confirms this result of God's abandonment. Sex within marriage is a holy gift from God, but otherwise sex is degrading of bodies by using them contrary to God's intent.
Also God gave them over to shameful lusts. This involved, as the text states, both sexes engaging in homosexual instead of heterosexual relationships. Women deliberately exchanged natural relations (with men in marriage) for unnatural ones (with other women). This is the second "exchange" the unregenerate made (25). Men were inflamed with sexual lust (orexei) for one another.
Contemporary homosexuals insist that these verses mean that it is perverse for a heterosexual male or female to engage in homosexual relations but it is not perverse for a homosexual male or female to do so since homosexuality is such a person's natural preference. This is strained exegesis unsupported by the Bible. The only natural sexual relationship the Bible recognizes is a heterosexual one (Gen. 2:21-24; Matt. 19:4-6) within marriage. All homosexual relations constitute sexual perversion and are subject to God's judgment. The refrain "God gave them over" tells how God's wrath works: he lets people damn themselves as they warp their own humanity. As in the Old Testament, God can turn people over to their own hardness of heart (e.g., Is 6:9–11; 29:9–12; Jer. 44:25–27).
Paul did not choose this example of sin to be controversial with his readers; his Jewish and Roman Christian readers alike would have agreed with him that both idolatry and homosexual behavior are sinful.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,5
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
The wicked would have no share in God's future kingdom because they were not related to Christ, the Heir (Mark 12:7). The wicked would one day be judged by the saints (1 Cor. 6:2) on the basis of their works (Rev. 20:13) which would condemn them. Yet the saints were acting no differently.
The word adikoi ("the wicked") in 1 Corinthians 6:9 was used in verse 1, there translated "the ungodly." The verb form adikeite ("do wrong") however, was used in verse 8 to describe the Corinthians' behavior. Their future role should have radically affected their practice in the present. If they thought otherwise, Paul warned, they were deceived (1 Cor. 5:11; Rev. 21:7-8; 22:14-15).
The list of offenders was similar to that noted earlier (1 Cor. 5:10-11), which no doubt corresponded to problems in Corinth and in other large cities of the day (Eph. 5:3-6). Homosexuality and male prostitution, for example, were especially characteristic of Greco-Roman society. Plato lauded homosexual love in The Symposium (181B). Nero, emperor at the time Paul wrote this letter, was about to marry the boy Sporus (Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars, 6. 28), an incident bizarre only in its formality, since 14 of the first 15 Roman emperors were homosexual or bisexual. Homosexual acts were a common feature of Greek male life in antiquity.
Paul engages in rhetorical damnation: even though in practice he has expelled from fellowship only the most extreme offender (5:1–5), those who continue in the sexual lifestyles he mentions here will not make it into the kingdom.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 (ESV)
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Here (arsenokoitai) is used. It is a combination of two Greek words meaning "male" and "bed". In combination the words seem to mean a male who has intercourse with another male. Paul is stating this to be ungodly.
In conclusion to the New Testament position on homosexuality, these passages forbid homosexual behavior. It seems there is a difference between the sinner and the sin. Neither here nor anywhere else in the bible does it say to condemn the person with predispositions towards feelings of sexual sin. It is only when the sin is acted upon. Our behavior transcends our predispositions. If one struggles with a sin because they are predisposition to sin (i.e.: drunkenness, drugs, violence, sex, pride) it doesn't mean they have to act upon it.
4. In light of #3 above, my convictions on homosexuality
How can Christians be more loving and effective servants of Jesus, who never allowed his compassion to compromise scripture? If homosexuals can be regenerated (or possibly are) what is the role of the church?
First a moral standard is needed. Who decides who is right and who is wrong? Is there a source of moral standards? The bible answers that by declaring we are made in the image of God. Therefore, what is out of character for God is out of character for us. This would be destructive and wrong. The apostle Paul tells us those even pagans who don't know God, where given a conscience. As believers, we hold God's Word to be true. This knowledge is divinely expressed in his Word. We can learn about God's character thru reading his eternal scripture. The Word of the Lord is authoritative and inerrant in all for all. The bible is the true source for us in making decisions, including our reactions to homosexuality.
Are homosexuals degenerated? (Sin) Are Homosexuals diseased? (In need of a cure) Or are Homosexuals disordered? (In a condition that is uncontrollable). Although Homosexual behavior is sinful one should be careful to go as far as degenerated. Can man be regenerated and still desire certain sins? Homosexuals are not diseased and are not disordered (in the sense of genetic mutation) but, can transcend behavior over predisposition. Homosexuality is a condition; a homosexual behavior is a decision.
5. In light of #1, #3, and #4 above, what are some of the key personal and pastoral implications relevant to this moral problem?
Contrary to the Word of God, some will argue homosexuality is a gift from God, and that the church should view homosexuality as normal and even ordain practicing homosexuals. There is momentum growing in this position. How is the church to react? The middle ages would be a bad example, of burning homosexuals alive, but a good example would be using theology. Looking from the above passages from the Old Testament, the gospels, and the epistles we can conclude that homosexuality is sinful sexual behavior. The church needs to help those who struggle with this sin to modify they behavior to actualize the image of Christ. We all need to modify our behavior to the image of Christ. We need to help one another by speaking the truth in love, not condemning the person nor condoning the sin.
Here is the point. We are called to call sin out thru love. Homosexual behavior is a sin. We are not to condone the sin, nor are we to condemn the sinner. Jesus may have had homosexuals in his circles. Jesus wasn't a religious legalist, some of his hardest condemnations where for those who where. For Jesus, loving the person wasn't based on his acceptance or condoning of their sexual sin. To the women taken in for sexual sin He said, "go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11) The church needs to learn to react to sexual behavior like Jesus did. We love them and tell them to sin no more.
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