Homosexuality: Legally Permissible or Spiritually Misguided?1
Homosexuality: Legally Permissible or Spiritually Misguided?1 Homosexuality: Legally Permissible or Spiritually Misguided?1
Lockard, Homosexuality• Historical. The article will examine ancient societies in an attempt todetermine the origins of the practice and to learn whether they weretolerated by those societies. Proponents of homosexual behaviourcontend that anti-homosexuality ideas originated from the WesternChristian churches. This article will explore the historical accuracy ofthese contentions.• Empirical. The paper will examine the findings of empirical, scientificresearch regarding the causes of homosexuality to determine there isconvincing scientific evidence showing that homosexual behaviour isbiologically or genetically determined. The salient issue of homosexualorientation versus chosen behaviour will be examined, askingquestions such as: Are people born gay? Can a homosexual change his/her sexual orientation? Is there a gay gene for homosexuality?• Scriptural. The article will briefly present the traditional view of thewitness of Scripture. Although revisionist theologians postulate againstthe witness of scripture, it is essential to give careful and accurateinterpretation to God’s mandates on homosexual behaviour.• Pastoral. Finally, particular emphasis will be given to the implicationsof the study for pastoral ministry within the context of the current andfuture church of Christ. Two of the most salient issues facing pastoralcounsellors today will be examined: If homosexuality is legallypermissible, (a) should the church conduct same-sex marriages? (b)should homosexual “Christians” be given full rights among churchleadership in all aspects of teaching, preaching and leading?1.3. Defining homosexualityThe word “homosexuality” was first used in 1869. Even the root word“sexuality” is a 19 th century coinage (ACUTE 1998). For clarity of thisresearch, the following definition of the word “homosexual” will guide thecontents of this paper:People whose sexual attraction is predominantly towards theirown sex, whether or not it is expressed in homoerotic sexualactivity, and that the term “homoerotic sexual practice” be used140
Lockard, Homosexualityto denote genital or other activity pertaining to sexual arousalbetween people of the same sex (ACUTE 1998:17).Let us examine the historical dimensions of ancient societies to determine theorigin of the practice. When and where did the practice surface? How werehomosexuals treated by society?2. Historical dimensions of homosexualityMany proponents of homosexuality argue that hostility toward homosexualbehaviour originated with the Christian church. One prominent proponent ofthis ideology was Professor John Boswell, a Roman Catholic professor ofhistory at Yale University. Upon his death to AIDS in 1994, Boswell left alegacy of being the foremost scholar on the history of lesbian and gayChristianity. In his book Homosexuality, Intolerance, and Christianity,Boswell set out to claim evidence that the church was the cause of hostility tohomosexual people. However, he claims not to have found such evidencewhen he wrote: “As it happens, it isn’t what I found in the documents in thiscase” (Boswell, quoted in Humphreys 1985).Animosity to homosexuals did not originate with the Christian church.Abhorrence to such behaviour was evidenced in ancient and pagan societies,beginning with the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, and Assyrians. Historicalevidence maintains each of these societies had laws against homosexualpractices (Davis 1993).Other ancient societies also showed a clear aversion to homosexuality.Hittite Laws. Hittite law from the second millennium B.C. classifiedhomosexuality as an abomination which incurred harsh and cruel punishment.For instance, a man convicted of homosexual rape was subjected to forciblepenetration, then castrated (Greenberg 1988:126).Iran (early Persia). Zoroastrianism founded in Iran (unknown date) took avery harsh view of homosexuality. Its teaching places sodomites among theranks of those who may be killed on the spot. Later texts of the 9 th centuryA.D. continue to regard homosexuality as heinous (Greenberg 1988:186).141
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Lockard, <strong>Homosexuality</strong>to denote genital <strong>or</strong> other activity pertaining to sexual arousalbetween people of the same sex (ACUTE 1998:17).Let us examine the hist<strong>or</strong>ical dimensions of ancient societies to determine the<strong>or</strong>igin of the practice. When and where did the practice surface? How werehomosexuals treated by society?2. Hist<strong>or</strong>ical dimensions of homosexualityMany proponents of homosexuality argue that hostility toward homosexualbehaviour <strong>or</strong>iginated with the Christian church. One prominent proponent ofthis ideology was Profess<strong>or</strong> John Boswell, a Roman Catholic profess<strong>or</strong> ofhist<strong>or</strong>y at Yale University. Upon his death to AIDS in 1994, Boswell left alegacy of being the f<strong>or</strong>emost scholar on the hist<strong>or</strong>y of lesbian and gayChristianity. In his book <strong>Homosexuality</strong>, Intolerance, and Christianity,Boswell set out to claim evidence that the church was the cause of hostility tohomosexual people. However, he claims not to have found such evidencewhen he wrote: “As it happens, it isn’t what I found in the documents in thiscase” (Boswell, quoted in Humphreys 1985).Animosity to homosexuals did not <strong>or</strong>iginate with the Christian church.Abh<strong>or</strong>rence to such behaviour was evidenced in ancient and pagan societies,beginning with the ancient Hebrews, Egyptians, and Assyrians. Hist<strong>or</strong>icalevidence maintains each of these societies had laws against homosexualpractices (Davis 1993).Other ancient societies also showed a clear aversion to homosexuality.Hittite Laws. Hittite law from the second millennium B.C. classifiedhomosexuality as an abomination which incurred harsh and cruel punishment.F<strong>or</strong> instance, a man convicted of homosexual rape was subjected to f<strong>or</strong>ciblepenetration, then castrated (Greenberg 1988:126).Iran (early Persia). Z<strong>or</strong>oastrianism founded in Iran (unknown date) took avery harsh view of homosexuality. Its teaching places sodomites among theranks of those who may be killed on the spot. Later texts of the 9 th centuryA.D. continue to regard homosexuality as heinous (Greenberg 1988:186).141
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