Discussion and Debate on the Homosexual Issue (20 February 2003)

The Editor, The Cape Times

Dear Sir

Discussion and Debate on Homosexual Issue

It is ironic that Rowan Smith calls for discussion and debate in the 18 Feb 2003 Cape Times article, while the Cape Times and other “Independent Newspapers” overwhelmingly reject the views of evangelical Christians, publishing primarily the views of those promoting homosexual behaviour.

Smith’s assertion that the Bible does not mention lesbians is disingenuous. Although lesbians are not mentioned by that name, they are clearly described (together with male homosexuals) in Romans 1:26-27: “... God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another ...”. Similarly, his claim that the context of the Bible only disallows homosexual behaviour when procreation is required is not supported.

Our genes, rather than our sexual orientation, are God’s gift to us. Whether our skin is well or badly suited to the harsh African sun is an innate characteristic. For this reason, it is unjust to discriminate against people on the basis of skin colour. However, homosexual behaviour is a choice, just like other sins. Discrimination on the basis of behaviour is just – and so our society accepts that criminals can be locked up for their misdeeds, while law-abiding citizens are free. Within the Church, this discrimination should be applied even more rigorously, with high moral standards for leaders (see Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus), and a clear command not to even eat with a man who claims to be a Christian but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler (1 Corinthians 5:11).

Skin colour cannot be changed but there are many ex-homosexuals in the Christian Church. Homosexuals are attempting to benefit from the suffering of many during apartheid, to justify protection from proper social scorn for their perverse behaviour.

In the Middle Ages, a Gnostic homosexual sect called the Bogomils arose in Europe and gave the name to “buggery”. Arthur Evans, in “Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture” claims that “Heresy and homosexuality became so interchangeable that those accused of heresy attempted to prove their innocence by claiming heterosexuality.”[1] Although the “politically correct” are likely to try to intimidate, Christians (including Anglicans) need to return to the Biblical standards for sexual behaviour. If we want to pass on God’s powerful Good News to the next generation, we need to reject the heretics who deny the clear teaching of Scripture.

Jeanine McGill
National Co-ordinator

[1] Cited in Scott Lively and Kevin Abrams, “The Pink Swastika – Homosexuality in the Nazi Party”, 4th edition, 2002, p 96.