What is the problem?
By Barrington H. Brennen, September
28, 2023
Read also "Must
they change?"
Why
does the topic of homosexuality
cause bitterness in the hearts of
many people?
What I have observed is that much of
the vitriolic about homosexuality comes from
so-called loving Christians. Should we spend so
much energy on this subject? Doesn’t it sound
like the experience of the woman who was dragged
to Jesus because she was "caught" in adultery?
Jesus, in responding to these angry,
self-righteous men said: "He who is innocent,
let him cast the first stone."
Many believe that once someone is a homosexual,
he or she would be crude, violent, and
promiscuous. This belief is causing far too
much pain and damage to many law-abiding,
loving, persons of the LGBTQ community.
Truthfully, there are many heterosexuals
(straight people) who are wounding others, and
destroying the lives of future generations by
their own promiscuity, drunkenness, chemical
addiction, rape, incest, intimate partner abuse,
physical and emotional violence, etc.
Note carefully, as inferred earlier, the fact of
someone being homosexual is not the problem in
our country. Being a homosexual does not make
one bad or good. It is the cantankerous
behavior of many heterosexuals and
homosexuals. Why are so many Christians silent
about the bad behavior of straight people? The
same person who believes in a loving gospel are
silent about the pain caused by heterosexuals.
Their silence is really a loud campaign for
promiscuity, violence, incest, rape, etc. Yes,
it is!
Many church buildings are popping up every day
in the Caribbean and other countries. Is the increase in the number of church
buildings directly related to an increase of the
true Christian spirit or spreading of the
gospel? The gospel is transforming and not
merely condemning. Too many of our spiritual
leaders are living ungodly lives. Why are we not
angry at the very serious problem of
sweet-hearting? Is it because too many of our
church leaders preach every week after getting
out of a bed of adultery? Sometimes their
spouses and adulterous partners are in the same
congregation. Do we have the moral authority to
be mad at wrongdoing when we are guilty of it?
Why are we so proud of men who have lots of
children with so many women? Why
are we not so angry about the hundreds of
children who are sexually abused or raped in our
country? What irony!
A over a decade ago I wrote these words in
response to this very issue in The Bahamas:
"Where will our
national Bahamian cruise ship dock?" Will we
qualify to pull into the harbor of moral purity?
Will we cast our anchors in the calm, peaceful
waters of justice and safety? Will we travel
across the turquoise waters of sexual fidelity?
Will we leave the ship and walk down the pink
sandy beaches of family respect and unity? Will
we eat at the banquet table of teenage
virginity, experiencing the cool, balmy breezes
of positive parental modeling? Will we run in
the subtropical sun of personal integrity? Will
we climb coconut palm trees of openness and
honesty and drink the coconut water of truth and
sincerity? Will we swim in the comfortable cool
waters of national pride?"
My message is that
before we seek to make others righteous, let us
first examine our own hearts.
Let me respond to some myths about
homosexuality.
-
Homosexual are
promiscuous by nature. False. Truthfully,
according to research, homosexuals and
heterosexuals are equally promiscuous.
-
All
homosexuals have multiple partners. False.
There are many homosexuals who choose to remain
faithful to one partner for life or choose to
remain celibate.
-
All homosexuals engaged
in anal sex. False. There is a percentage of
homosexuals who believe that anal sex is
repugnant. Ironically, there are many
heterosexuals and married couples who have anal
sex. There are many high school teenage girls
who have anal sex because they think they will
still remain a virgin by doing so.
-
Every
homosexual would be honored to participate in a
parade to honor homosexuality. False. There
are countless homosexuals who would not join
such a parade because they do not support what
they would call vulgarity, open display of
sexual innuendos, etc.
Why am I mentioning these myths? Because many
have formulated their anti-homosexual promotions
blindly. Thus, they create a hell-pit of
burning anger which they throw in all
homosexuals and leave the violent, promiscuous
heterosexuals in their paradise of stupidity and
pain. How hypocritical!
Note carefully, I am not a supporter of parades
that seem to be an open display of vulgarity and
what many would call indecency. However, should
I ask what about another parade held in May each
year in our country where public sexual
innuendos are common among heterosexuals.
While I am not “pro-homosexual” I certainly
believe and respect one’s freedom to choose the
way he or she wants to live. In addition, here
is what I wrote in 2020 that will reveal a
little more about my beliefs about
homosexuality: “I do believe that some
individuals can cease having same sex
attractions and/or cease having same sex
relationships. However, I am also aware that a
percentage of individuals who desire not to have
same sex attraction, are not successful, even
with sincere prayer and a meaningful
relationship with Jesus. I sincerely believe
that these individuals are equally as normal and
spiritual as all the others. I also know that
reparative therapy does not work for everyone.”
I would like to see the hatred and damnation
against homosexuals end in this county. Since
we are so adamant that we are a religious
nation, than the energy of our spiritual leaders
should first be to live godly lives themselves
and to emphasize godly living among all
members. That includes loving those who they
believe are the unlovable.
Please dear friend, let’s start loving instead
of protesting.
Read also "My they
change?"
Barrington Brennen is a marriage and family
therapist Send your questions to
question@soencouragement.org or
visit
www.soencouragement.org
or call 1-242-327-1980
