I know this topic is somewhat taboo (what can of worms am I opening?!), but I think that it is incredibly relevant (see the recent revokation of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and what it has conveyed to the LGBT community). Today, LGBTs are lobbying for more ‘rights,’ acceptance, and recognition. And the ‘freedom’ that America is touting is stuck in a strange tension in resolving this. In light of this, the sexual brokenness ensued by homosexuality (but also sexual brokenness in heterosexuality, which I will not explicitly touch here) must be addressed by Christians, lest our views fall to the cultural norm.

And please note that I want to disclaim any authority on the matter–only (mere) reflection–and am, therefore, petitioning your opinion and discussion. And really, I’m just asking questions to get your thoughts as I have some tentative.

EDIT: many of these considerations use the word ‘homosexual’ and its derivatives applied to implied meanings of the practice of homosexual acts as well as same-sex attraction.

–

First of all, I am not entirely confident in Christianity’s response to homosexuality–I wonder, does it even exist? How have Christians responded to the cultural approval of homosexuality?

Before you answer those questions, I want to ask this: how many people in your church do you know deal with homosexuality?

I know only of one. But wait–isn’t the church a gathering of sinners? Isn’t it a body of those who acknowledge their sins in repentance and hope in Christ’s completed work on the Cross? If so, why aren’t there more people in the church who struggle with homosexuality?

I have a couple of (not exhaustive) proposals for the answer to that last question.

1) People who struggle with homosexuality are universally withdrawn from the church.
2) There exist people who struggle with homosexuality within the church, but are not entirely open with their burdens.

I tend toward the idea of the second–I think that there are Christians who are struggling with homosexuality. Let me pause for clarification here: I think that there are Christians, who acknowledge that they are broken and sinful, burdened with the temptation of homosexuality, but have faith in Christ’s justifying work on the Cross, and are now living in repentance and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. But where are they as we sit in pews among liars, thieves, gossips, and adulterers? Have we really welcomed those who struggle with homosexuality into our church? Or have we scared them into thinking that they are somehow worse than the rest? Have we scared them into thinking that they cannot live in the love of Christ because of their sexual brokenness?

I know not how to phrase it any differently, but I think we have scared those who struggle with homosexuality by not really loving them. And if we’re scaring struggling Christians, how can we reach the entire nation of those struggling with homosexuality outside the church?

Respond as you will, but if I can conclude with my questions in a somewhat ordered matter, you may like following that:

1) How has Christianity responded to homosexuality?
2) How many people in your church do you know struggle with homosexuality?
3) Where are the ‘homosexuals’ in the church?
4) Has Christianity’s response to homosexuality been one of love?
5) How do we respond?

Or even more summarily:

1) How should Christians approach homosexuality?

Here I am, a snowflake white
Falling, blowing ever so light
Racing, flutt’ring toward the ground
Myself willing, forcing down.

To my left and to my right
Snow-speckled air–what a sight!
What joy in my flutter found
Yet unknown, to my doom I’m bound.

I do not know whereto I fly
But only in my nature delight
Is that the end, a pale white mound?
I think it is! But what’s that sound?

A cry and screech, mourning in the night
From where’s this noise, my ears to bite?
Cries: “slow down! stop yourself! slow!”
I hear, and I think I now know.

My kin now in suffering quite,
Found the ground not to like
It’s there they die, I guess I will too
Alas, I wish that higher in the sky I knew.

content

got my coffee
got my bag
got my phone
what else to add

ready for work
ready to go
ready to live
all on my own

work on a project
work to get paid
work to fulfill me
nothing else my heart stays

ive got it all
ive got all i need
ive got money and shelter
only myself do i lead

lonely

bored with my work
bored with my home
bored with my paycheck
i think my life is gone.

there’s got to be more…
do we all but drone on?
there’s got to be more!
are we but America’s pawn?

hopeful

But someone might tell me:
To the Cross! To the Cross!
Turn your head and your heart
To Jesus Christ on the Cross!

a reflection of life in the city

Either that or I’m a terrible person. Please enjoy this video of a digital bible in the era of dot-matrix printing. (Also, I promise this isn’t fake.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBRjGUg95EY

Credit to JWil for starting the thread on Facebook.  That was fantastic.

Just think of all the ways we could use it:
“You totally praught it last weekend” (from Kasey C.)
“Oh, that message was totally praughten” (credit to the elder Wilson brother)

and then the best of all, Dr. Seuss Stu poetry written for seminary classes:

“Just be sure what you praught was divinely wrought and more than just a human thought.
For human men and human words can always only count for naught.
For the wisdom of God cannot be bought so if you preach be sure you praught!”
(Dr. Sheehan, you are genius)

Then EVERYBODY WINS.

What happens when the argument becomes which Kitty is Kuter???

-Riley

I thought I’d take a break in the action for a very special purpose.

This picture of a cat in a bunny costume:

You’re welcome.

-Riley

Alright, readers, here’s your chance to sound off so we can figure out who is reading this blog.

Leave a comment with your name!

This helps us (or at least me) understand who’s reading this thing.

Also, I challenge you to give us feedback on our posts if you’re not already so we can know what you think. If you know me, you know I’m all about discussion. I’m not a big fan of one-way blogging. That would be no fun at all! So there’s your challenge. And thanks to our faithful commenters (new word) Molly, Andrew, and Marie. Other readers, help us out here and let us know whatcha thinking!

-Riley