We Disagree about Homosexual Behavior; We Don’t Hate

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Gospel of John, 11:26-26)

By Peter LaBarbera

The following are excerpts from a critical note sent to me, and then my response. Note that in the future we will direct people to handy refutations of the ubiquitous homosexual “shellfish” canard, but for now we direct you to Professor Rob Gagnon’s website. “Ms.” writes:

“… God is love. The bible preaches about “loving thy neighbor”, “judge not lest ye be judged” as well as “he who is without sin cast the first stone.” Are you without sin? If you say no, you’re lying, that that would be a sin. 🙂 .. so if you’re a sinner, and I am a sinner, and the whole world is full of sinful, worldly people, who are you to throw stones? Is it out of fear, or ignorance?

“You might come back and say, well, the old testament says a man shall not lie with another man as he does a woman. But the old testament is very outdated, even saying things such as it’s prohibited to eat shellfish, or wear clothes of mixed fibers. Why aren’t you making a website about the evils of shellfish, and banning the fishing industry from catching seafood other than fish? Or a radical cause to stop people from wearing polyester?

“I challenge you to have an intellectual conversation with a homosexual. If Jesus can talk to whores, I’m sure you can sit down at Starbucks and strike up a conversation. Maybe it’ll help you realize that we’re not out to steal your wives/husbands, molest your children or whatever it is you think is so vile about “us”. We’re just normal people trying to find our own slice of happiness.. what does our right to marry, and living a happy, healthy life, have to do with you?

“Have a great day, hopefully full of revelations and epiphanies.”

– Ms., 25

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My reponse to “Ms”:

Today at 8:34am

[Ms.], I have “intellectual conversations” with homosexuals all the time. (See, there you made a false “judgment,” out of ignorance, I’m afraid.) We disagree on the morality of homosexual acts — plain and simple. I’m a sinner in need of God’s grace, but redefining my sins as part of my “proud” identity would be wrong. That’s how we view the “gay” movement. I’ve known and interviewed too many FORMER “gays” like Charlene Cothran and Yvette Schneider to believe that homosexuality is some fixed, innate identity. As for how your (new) “rights” affect me and those who agree with me, there is ample and growing evidence now that “gay rights” and historic American religious/moral freedoms cannot co-exist. Look at the case of the Christian photographer in New Mexico, who did not want to shoot a [lesbian couples’] wedding and was sued — and lost her case (it’s now on appeal). What about HER right to live by her beliefs? What about the right of an Orthodox Jewish small businessman NOT to subsidize homosexual employees’ relationships if he believes those relationships are based on (an egregious) sin?

Gotta go but I hope you can come to see that we merely disagree (yes, strongly) with homosexual behavior. I’d gladly have a cup of coffee with you and enjoy discussing the issues with the other side. Unlike some on my side of the issue, I always do interviews with the gay press. If a truly feared or hated homosexuals, I couldn’t do my job as I feel called to do: responding to the many PRO-GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] groups.

Lastly, I’d be regretful if I didn’t tell you — on a Sunday no less — that there is a way out of homosexuality. I find that the most confident ex-gays are those who came out thru a born-again conversion to belief in Christ. Yesterday I read in the [Bible’s] Book of John (Chapter 11) how Jesus Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. Every time I read that, I am filled with wonder. Surely, that same resurrection power can be put to work in the lives of sinners like us, to help us live in a way that is honoring to the loving God who made us.

May you be blessed. Thanks for the note.

Sincerely,

Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.com