'I refuse to condemn homosexuals'

DEAR REV.

I READ your column to this young man who stated that he was being accused of being gay by his church, even though he was not. I also noticed your response which was quite commendable. However, what if the letter writer was in fact gay? What would your advice have been? And just suppose that the gentleman is in fact gay, but is having a hard time coming to grips with that fact, given the churches position ? The plot may be thicker. I have studied your opinions on the issue of homosexuality .

Encouragingly, it is free of the usual evangelical rancour. Unsurprisingly, you are usually at pains to make the usual disclaimers that homosexuality is a sin. You are clearly mindful of your flock. And that is a great pity in this instance.I understand that based on your faith, you will say that homosexual identity is morally wrong. Sad as that may be, I hope you are able to support one's right to be oneself (homosexual or heterosexual) without legal fetters or discrimination I hope that someday, we will all understand the joy that comes with freely expressing spontaneous affections, or engaging in intimate associations, irrespective of the gender of the partner.

There is nothing in your Bible that can reorient the order of what one's natural preference may be. I hope you and the church will eventually make peace with that fact.

REGARDS LAWSON

DEAR LAWSON:

I THANK you for you frank statements and your commendations. However, I must make one think abundantly clear. I do not agree with homosexuality, as I think it is outside what God intended for humanity. One thing I am seeking to understand however, is the cause of same. Is it that homosexuals simply decide to become same, or is it a predisposition they are born with, just as heterosexuals are predisposed to loving the opposite sex.

For me, this is the mandate, a search for truth in order to widen understanding. In my attempts however, I will not go the route that many have gone and are chastising me because I have not gone, and that is the route of condemnation. I refuse to condemn homosexuals, though I do not agree with the lifestyle, and yes, that is based on my religious convictions, which I cannot ignore.

I believe if one chooses or recognises that he/she is homosexual, then it is that individual's decision as to whether or not they will go that lifestyle. My job is to make them aware of what the scripture says, and the other possible consequences which they may face as a result of their decision. If that young man says he is not gay, I have no reason to doubt him. The law is still innocent until proven guilty, and not the other way around as we all practise at times. If he is gay, my job would be as stated before.

I really wish that we could come to some understanding as to why some men love men and some women love women; however, until we do we just have to love all individuals as God instructed us, while seeking answers. I do not condemn you my friend, or any other homosexual for that matter; however, I do not agree with the lifestyle.

All the best.

REV.

DEAR REV,

DO YOU feel in your heart that the Church has served the Jamaican people to its fullest potential? It is my humble opinion that the Church has played on the ignorance of many of our people and has done little to advance us beyond Bible knowledge. Many Jamaicans can quote the Bible with pinpoint accuracy, but can do little else to help themselves. While religion is not in itself a bad thing, it is time that the Church realise that there is a world beyond the bounds of church walls with real issues and problems. The exclusionary principles that characterise the Church is a facade. A time fi di man dem move beyond di traditional way of relating to di people dem an keep it real.

REXROY SCOTT

DEAR REXROY:

THANK YOU for your letter of concern. The first thing we must recognise is that the Church consists of several denominations and sectors; therefore, in speaking about the Church we would have to examine all these.

With respect to your concern however, I would say that parts of the Church have been seeking to serve the Jamaican people, in very direct ways. We have a number of skills/trade schools which have been established by churches, some of which charge nothing for admission. In addition, there are churches committed to meeting the financial as well as emotional and physical needs of many.

There are several Ministers of Religion who have dedicated themselves and their ministries to truly winning the lost at any cost, and seeking to establish a better Jamaica. However, there are too many more who are more concerned with the self than with the congregation.

The truth is that there are many pastors who love to have their people ignorant of certain facts, as it gives them more control and power over them. One of the bitter points of the Church where she has fallen short, is with respect to Bible studies. Many Christians are able to quote with precision certain verses; however, they are unable to truly articulate clearly and pointedly on same. In this respect, I would say the Church has fallen short on its mandate.

I must commend denominations like the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Adventists. Whether or not many of us embrace their teachings, the truth is that they invest a lot in teaching their congregants the Word of God as they see it. In addition, I believe there is much more the Church has to offer. We have some very brilliant minds in the Church, which would be able to serve the nation. It is my belief that the Lord calls people in many and varied professions; however, as a Church we see certain things as being too dirty for us.

In this vein I congratulate Mr. Perkins, Pastor Al Miller, Bishop H. Blair, Father Ho Lung and others who have made it their business to be concerned with the well-being of the Jamaican
people.

The Church has been doing a lot; however, there is much more to be done.

REV.

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