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From: aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: 'Gay Rights':  A conflict of values
Message-ID: <1519@pucc-h>
Date: Tue, 27-Nov-84 11:25:40 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.1519
Posted: Tue Nov 27 11:25:40 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 29-Nov-84 02:38:37 EST
References: <283@haddock.UUCP> <1464@pucc-h>, <4634@fortune.UUCP>
Organization: Purdue University Computing Crypt
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>> = Jeff Sargent
>  = Richard Brower (fortune!brower)

I promised in a response to Steve Dyer that I would respond to Richard
Brower's article, so here goes....

>> In a sense, an individual's sexuality is indeed a matter of choice.  But the
>> choice is between believing that the other sex is a friend or an enemy....
>> My thesis is that confirmed homosexuals became convinced very early on --
>> in early childhood, perhaps -- that the other sex was somehow an enemy, and
>> that being intimate with an other-sex person would be extremely threatening.
>> However, the mere fact that their belief is very deep-seated, and probably
>> based on very deep wounds, does not mean that it can't be changed.  Having
>> God's love and power to assist helps a lot.

> I think that you assume one hell of a lot.  I do not look on any women as
> being in any respect my enemy, nor do any of the other gay people that I
> associate with.  Also, since God's love is for all, I think you make another
> large assumption in assuming that gays do not have His power and support
> throughout our entire lives (we particularly need His help to deal with
> the homophobes misusing His name to oppress us).

I will admit that once a gay man explained his homosexuality to me as
follows (approximate quote from memory):  "If you are like most straight
men [as distinct from comedians? :-)], the idea of having sex with a man
just doesn't appeal to you.  Now imagine feeling that way about women."
I will try to remember to refrain from trying to make sweeping judgments
about the source of sexual preference, though I do still invite you to
examine that of yours more closely.  But I still call it a "preference".
I have several times read accounts by homosexuals who came to the point
where they hated their homosexual lifestyle (e.g. because it provided
virtually no genuine human contact), and by giving themselves to Christ
they were able to become happy, fulfilled heterosexuals.  If you actually
like being homosexual, and have actual human contact (soul touching soul
and spirit touching spirit, not just body contact) in that lifestyle, then
Christ may have a hard time convincing you that there's something better.

Your last sentence does make an interesting point.  God is merciful enough to
help those who do not give themselves to him 100% (else who would ever be
helped?); He may also help those who have not experienced faith in Him at
all.  (I'm not sure which category you fit in.)

-- 
-- Jeff Sargent
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