I was born and raised LDS, and I, myself, am not homosexual. I do have a few homosexual friends, though. The ones I know are loving, caring, kind, and altogether upright people. This is one of the reasons I have trouble going to church. There are some there who cast a hate-filled look at, and either ignore, or look down upon anyone who does not fit into their narrow-minded standards. I have trouble believing that God would make homosexuals, and then deny them the right to be in love with anyone. After all, what’s the point of living with someone for eternity if you don’t love them, and what’s the point of living in abstinence for your entire life because God apparently does not allow you to be in love? Maybe someone can clarify this for me, because I am at a loss.
One Response to “I was born and raised LDS, and I, myself, am not homosexual….”
Gabriel Ramos
2009-04-19 22:57:57
Hi Mark. I'm very happy that you've taken the church's teachings to heart and that you treat homosexuals with respect and kindness. I was in a San Diegan ward made up mostly of university students when prop 8 was on the ballot and this topic was being discussed a lot. I was very pleased to note that there were very few inappropriate comments about homosexuals in my congregation. Many people expressed concern about the societal changes that might occur if gay marriage were approved, but I didn't hear or see any hatred towards gays.
That having been said, the sad reality is that Mormons, like those of other denominations, sometimes fail to live up to their high ideals. Despite the fact that Church leaders have on multiple occasions condemned hatred against anyone, and against homosexuals in particular, there are nevertheless some Mormons who choose personal apostasy and ignore prophetic and apostolic counsel. I suspect this apostasy varies geographically. It can probably be found anywhere but is likely more prevalent in rural locations vs. urban ones. The age and level of education of ward members also likely has an impact. Let's not be pessimistic, though; there are tens of thousands of gay Mormons around the world, if not hundreds of thousands, who are quite comfortable worshiping with their straight brothers and sisters.
With all due respect (and I mean that sincerely), the idea that God would not create homosexuals only to ask them to resist acting on their natural tendencies is silly. That's exactly the kind of thing He would do! God gives some people a tendency towards obesity but asks them to try to live healthy anyway. He gives some people a tendency towards violence but asks them to live in peace. He gives us all the desire for companionship, and yet many never have the opportunity to marry. Some have a genetic predisposition towards impulsive and addictive behavior, but God still expects them to avoid gambling and drinking. He gives us a natural tendency to fear those who are different than us, but He still demands that we treat everyone with love and respect. The very purpose of life is for us to be challenged, for us to demonstrate that we will follow God's will despite our "natural man." Homosexuals are not at all alone; God demands that each of us cede our wills and personal passions to Him if we are to be saved.
The ancient Greeks described multiple kids of love: eros, or romantic love; philia, friendship; agape, the love between God and His children; etc. Of all these kinds of love, eros is perhaps the least satisfying long term. While gays may have to forgo eros in this life, all of these deeper forms of love are well within their reach. I think you'd be amazed, for example, how many gay Mormons are nobly willing to sacrifice eros in order to feel God's agape with greater clarity in their lives.
That having been said, the sad reality is that Mormons, like those of other denominations, sometimes fail to live up to their high ideals. Despite the fact that Church leaders have on multiple occasions condemned hatred against anyone, and against homosexuals in particular, there are nevertheless some Mormons who choose personal apostasy and ignore prophetic and apostolic counsel. I suspect this apostasy varies geographically. It can probably be found anywhere but is likely more prevalent in rural locations vs. urban ones. The age and level of education of ward members also likely has an impact. Let's not be pessimistic, though; there are tens of thousands of gay Mormons around the world, if not hundreds of thousands, who are quite comfortable worshiping with their straight brothers and sisters.
With all due respect (and I mean that sincerely), the idea that God would not create homosexuals only to ask them to resist acting on their natural tendencies is silly. That's exactly the kind of thing He would do! God gives some people a tendency towards obesity but asks them to try to live healthy anyway. He gives some people a tendency towards violence but asks them to live in peace. He gives us all the desire for companionship, and yet many never have the opportunity to marry. Some have a genetic predisposition towards impulsive and addictive behavior, but God still expects them to avoid gambling and drinking. He gives us a natural tendency to fear those who are different than us, but He still demands that we treat everyone with love and respect. The very purpose of life is for us to be challenged, for us to demonstrate that we will follow God's will despite our "natural man." Homosexuals are not at all alone; God demands that each of us cede our wills and personal passions to Him if we are to be saved.
The ancient Greeks described multiple kids of love: eros, or romantic love; philia, friendship; agape, the love between God and His children; etc. Of all these kinds of love, eros is perhaps the least satisfying long term. While gays may have to forgo eros in this life, all of these deeper forms of love are well within their reach. I think you'd be amazed, for example, how many gay Mormons are nobly willing to sacrifice eros in order to feel God's agape with greater clarity in their lives.