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A special note to our friends struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction
Gays and lesbians are becoming more visible in American culture. It is arguable, however, whether total numbers are increasing.
Gay rights are being championed the country by gays and non-gays, alike. Most recently, Congress passed legislation which included gays as a protected class under Federal hate crimes legislation (H.R. 1913). We strongly believe that no person should be the target of any crime, regardless of emotional motive.
WE CANNOT CONDEMN STRONGLY ENOUGH THE ACTIONS OF RADICAL ANTI-GAY ACTIVISTS WHO MASQUERADE AS CHRISTIANS. THEIR BEHAVIOR BLASPHEMES THE NAME OF CHRIST, AND IS UNWORTHY OF THE NAME OF CHRISTIAN. THEIR MESSAGE IS AN ABBERATION OF THE BIBLE'S TEACHING ABOUT SIN AND REDEMPTION.
At the same time, when "hate" itself becomes a crime, everyone is in danger of being both perpetrator and victim at some point.
Unfortunately, one very vulnerable group that is frequently the target of extreme hostility because of their sexual orientation are those seeking relief from unwanted same-sex attraction. Groups such as Exodus International, and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) regularly report angry confrontations and disruptions of lawful gatherings and presentations by radical gay-rights groups.
Sexual attraction is fundamental to our human nature. We believe that the Creator wrote sexual desire into the DNA of every human being. His original intention was that man and woman together would display his image to the rest of creation: Man as male and Woman as female joined together declared the image of God. The original blueprints for the human race required heterosexual orientation. It could not then, and cannot now, continue one generation without the product of heterosexual orientation: babies!
After the human race's fall into sin, God's original design was shattered in every way, including our sexuality. A simple reading of human history, whether from biblical or archaeological records bears testimony to the how far the human race fell in this regard. The biblical records describe God's response to the way his gift of sex was corrupted. Even though we agree that the punishment for homosexual behavior commanded in the Old Testament is inapplicable today, we disagree with the leap in logic that asserts that God has somehow changed his mind about that behavior.
The Bible is clear in both Old and New Testaments that homosexual behavior is wrong, and that it is specifically condemned because it does violence to the image of God in the human race in a unique way. Because of this, homosexual behavior is condemned as sinful.
God is merciful, however, and never allows sin to have the last word. Mercy triumphs over condemnation. God forgives the sin of those who repent and trust in Christ's death and resurrection for their forgiveness.
Once he has forgiven sin, he then begins the process of restoration; remaking us into the image he originally intended.
In summary, we believe that, from God's point of view, homosexuality is a consequence of the human race's fall into sin. It is part of the sinful nature we inherit as humans. But it is not ipso facto the unforgiveable sin. Unbelief - the willful lack of trust in Christ as Savior - is the unforgiveable sin.
That said, there is a great deal of debate among scientists about the origin of homosexual attraction in a person's life. Even the American Psychological Association acknowledged recently that
"There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles...."
I (author alone) believe that a significant influence in the origin and development of same sex attraction comes from the individual's very early life experiences. Research in relationship attachment suggests that disruptions in appropriate bonding / individuation with the same-sex and other-sex parent creates a trauma (wound) in the developing child's psyche. According to this theory, homosexual attraction develops as a defensive response to the wound.
In both heterosexual or homosexual persons, there is a natural release of bonding hormones as relationships develop, particularly when sexual desire becomes sexual behavior (i.e., orgasm). When a person's deepest thoughts (much of which is unconscious to himself) are joined with the intensely pleasurable physical and emotional sensations that are released in sex, the brain creates strong associations between "thought" and "act." The earlier this takes place, and the more frequently it takes place, the more likely the association becomes "hardwired" in the brain. The brain "orients" itself to repeat this behavior in order to feel the pleasure.To the person, this orientation feels "natural."
However, it is a leap of logic to believe that if an individual "feels" his or her orientation is "natural," it must be natural. It is always a dangerous thing to make global assertions from individual experience.
More to the point for this article: it is a leap of logic to believe that if homosexual orientation or behavior "feels" normal to a person, God is obliged to accommodate himself the individual. Not only is a leap of logic, it is an act of hubris that the creature would demand the compliance of the Creator.
Is there a way out of homosexuality?
It depends. For individuals who do not want to consider change, the answer is, of course, "No."
However, for those who struggle with unwanted homosexual thoughts, desires, and actions, who believe they were created to be heterosexual, and who want to change, the answer is, "Yes. But it will be hard work."
With any behavior that has such deep, hidden emotional roots as one's sexual behavior, change is not easy. The strong and unwavering grace of God is available to empower the individual's personal commitment to the journey of recovery; to empower help from a caring community of like-minded people; to empower the help of qualified professionals. These are essential elements for a person to make the journey into sexual wholeness.
Organizations such as Exodus International and the National Assocation for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, as well as individual researchers such as Stanton Jones and Mark Yarhouse provide invaluable resources for this process.