The Arab Times reported lately that Shaikha Fariha was launching a campaign to help clean up the rampant homosexual scene in Kuwait. This was news to me! Is there really rampant homosexuality among Kuwaiti youths? What is the Islamic view of homosexuality and how do they suggest it be 'cleaned up?'
There has been a lot controversy lately in the Anglican church over the issue of gay people and their role in the church. The overall consensus in the world-wide church seems to be that gay marriage is not allowed under divine law and that a homosexual in an active sexual relationship (implying that a celibate homosexual can be in leadership) should not be in a leadership role. That being said the church also affirms that God loves all his creation and that Christ came and revealed God's love to all human kind by dying on the cross.
So it is clear to me that Christ died for all sinners including gays and lesbians and that they have access to God's love through the works of Christ. Then what?
Those who are called to leadership are expected to live up to high standards of character in terms of what they say and what they do. It is unacceptable for a heterosexual Christian leader to be having sexual relations outside the context of marriage (which is defined in the Bible as life-long loving union between one man and one woman.)
Clearly this definition of marriage excludes gays. The only option for a Christian gay (a leader or not) is to be celibate. This latter view is being challenged though on a number of grounds. The debate rages on in the church. Unfortunately this debate has been sidelined by hysteria and simply nasty homophobic attitudes which is deplorable and not Christ-like at all.
Whateve the outcome of this debate, it needs to be said that all Christians (whether gay or straight) are called to live a life of holiness and seek to emulate Christ. However as all of us are flawed in one way or the other we recognise that this is a life long process and that we all need to continually depend on God's grace and mercy.
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6 comments:
I am tired. I am tired of the religion of sand, in its three forms, restricting the freedom of people. It is a lie and even those who think they believe in it actually don't. If Kuwaitis believed in a heaven you wouldn't see them splurging on material wealth. Wake up! Material wealth in the UK? Good luck with that when the government is stealing all your money. Kuwait is a rich country and people LIKE to show off. Religion only plays a social role, anyone can fake Salat and fasting.
Well i'm a Kuwaiti Secular Muslim Homosexual... quite a mix huh? :-P
It's tough... and i don't think any of the "GODS" either muslim, catholic or jew likes gays :-P
It's a struggle for me... I've been trying to live a double life for years now... And i can't see bright light at the end of the tunnel. Would i take the "straight pill" if there was ever such a thing and i was offered it? Yes
O wise one . . . you seem to be at the end of your tether in your frustration at religious hypocrisy. Believe me I really do sympathise . . . But the wise man would know not to judge a religion by the flaws of her followers but rather discern whether religion is good at its source.
bavaud. I told my church the other Friday that God loves gays and they will be welcome in my church. We are all sinners and all striving to live lives that will bless others. God Bless you.
RevQ8 - your sermon was very balanced - something to make everyone mad and something also to give everyone hope. :-)
We are all sinners, as you said, and only God knows how we will be judged. I'm glad we are all welcome in your church, warts and all.
Having experienced the "wastefulness of grace" I can see/know God as He really is...not as He's portrayed by rule keepers, bigots, and zealots. They make me tired with their ranting, hate mongering, and legalism. We're all messed up in some way, and I'm thankful that the mess I am is of no consequence to a relationship with my God.
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