A Trejectory of the Issue of Homosexual Acceptance

I have a question that haunts me. It is this. What if the vast majority of the members of the Presbyterian Church (USA), in their heart of hearts, support the full inclusion of homosexual leaders?

More and more, homosexuality is being accepted in the general population of Western Culture.

What is the trend? Is it not full inclusion of homosexual persons into our society? A Gallup Poll, published in 2008 tracked a change in public opinion from 2001 when 53 percent opposed in  to the morality of homosexuality to 48 percent. This is first year that an equal percentage favored and opposed homosexuality. When it comes to the question of whether or not homosexuality ought to be considered illegal, fifty seven percent support homosexuality as a legal life style.

I found an article that cites a poll conducted in 1973 where eighty percent (80%) of those asked responded that homosexuality is always wrong. So, from 1973 to 2008 the social rightness of homosexuality has increased by forty-two percent. I say this with a small measure of trepidation. There are sampling errors and errors in the way the questions are phrased. Naturally, the greatest flaw lies in the underlying belief that what is right is whatever the most people think is right. Scripture says, “Let God be true, though all men be liars.” Even given those shortcomings, I think it is safe to assume more and more people are embracing homosexuality as a morally neutral way of living. This is an answer to my initial query concerning the trend of the future.

If we project from this trend of acceptance, unless something extraordinary happens, such as a major naturally disaster, a world war, a deep economic depression or, I pray, a sweeping spiritual revival, homosexuality will grow more and more to become a normal but, in my view, a rotting part of our social fabric. If you watch the public entertainment media, the arts, and literary works, you would think homosexuality already is casually accepted. What could also happen is that fewer and fewer people will pursue homosexuality, in short, it will become unfashionable.

For those opposed to the morality of homosexuality, one of several things is bound to happen. We will die off. We will moderate our views. We will become an enduring minority opinion and be considered backward in our thinking.

How might this effect the Church? We already hear moderates saying ”lets get on with the work of the Church and put this moral question behind us.” This is another way of saying “Accept homosexuality it is here to stay.” It is an agreement with cry of homosexual advocates – “We are queer, and we are here; get use to it; we’re going nowhere.”

 I wonder what factors move these changes in attitudes. Most the folks I read and hear cite the growing visibility of homosexuals in our culture. As part of that there is a snowball effect, the more it is acceptable, more people practice it openly, the more it becomes acceptable. Persons who claim to have reversed their views on homosexuality often cite a family member who has declared his or her homosexual feelings and behaviors. The family bond is strong and accepting a son or daughter regardless of their sexual preferences is what usually changes a person’s opinion about the morality of homosexuality.

Then there is the entire reversal of biblical scholarship regarding those passages opposing homosexuality. The first such book was written in 1955 by a Church of England priest, Derrick Bailey. It was not widely distributed until he republished it in 1974. Before this, few biblical scholars questioned the Scriptures’ teaches against homosexuality. This scholarship has been answered effectively by many scholars holding the traditional views. Bailey's errors have been repeated by dozens of other authors.

While I was in seminary our New Testament professor, George Edwards, was working on his book, objectively titled, “The New Testament and Gay Liberation.” He published it shortly after I graduated in 1978. He also served on the first General Assembly study committee tasked with presenting a report to the 1978 General Assembly. Their recommendation, which was not approved then, is precisely what the 2010 General Assembly passed and a majority of our presbyteries ratified.

Maranatha – Lord, Jesus, come quickly.