A question that has been asked is what is the Church’s view on homosexuality. The answer is simple: it’s none of my business, and it’s none of yours, either.
How consenting adults choose to act behind close doors is the business of no one but them. Given that the Church does not recognize a personified, omnipotent and judgmental deity as do many other religions, there can be no concept of an abomination in the eyes of God. Morality, after all, is a human construct – we see certain acts as immoral because there is a personal revulsion and, in order to enforce our prejudices, we make the baseless claim that such acts are counter to the will of God.
We often hear the term homophobic. In some cases this is apt; it is a genuine fear of those who do not conform to the standard of sexuality, that they will somehow corrupt society. In my experience such fears are without merit. I have met many people who identify themselves as “gay,” and in no case did I ever feel any sort of threat from them. None of them tried to “convert” me to their ideals. In all cases, they simply wanted to express and be who they are and with that which they identify. This, obviously, is harmless.
Another fear that comes from the presence of atypical sexuality is that the phobic is afraid of their own sexuality, that they may become gay. The truth is that people do not become gay. They either are or they are not. Perhaps the fear is that their repressed homosexual tendencies may be brought to the surface. In this case the fear is a fear of societal stigma, such as that they impose on others. There are 64 countries that still consider homosexual acts to be illegal. In such places such fear is justified. However, the fear is based on potential persecution for those who already identify as gay, not a fear of being gay, itself. While it may be illegal to express their sexuality, it still exists behind closed doors. Illegalizing the act does not prevent the act, itself.
The reality is that, in most cases, it is not a fear of homosexuality, it is a prejudice. Because many people feel the acts are distasteful, they shun those who do not. Perhaps these people commit other perversions which they may or may not advertise. In either case, it presents a different crime, that of hypocrisy. On this topic the Church is quite clear: rules apply to everyone or to no one. Given that we all share the same soul, we are all bound by the same ethical standards. The assertion that I can practice polygamy, for example, but you cannot practice homosexuality, simply does not fly.
The worst offender is the closet homosexual who persecutes others. It is almost like the thought process is that a) it’s okay for me because I am me, and b) it’s okay for me because no one knows. Neither is a valid argument. For those who persecute the sexually atypical (and this includes any sexual act outside the norm between consenting adults) because they find it personally distasteful, this attitude is simply one of arrogance. I don’t like it, therefore, you are wrong. However, in no case are you being forced to do anything.
There is no valid argument for persecution. One often cited in defense of banning gay marriage is that it cheapens the concept. This is ludicrous. Firstly, many gay couples are more devoted that heterosexual couples. The fact that fifty percent of marriages end in divorce is a testament to the true value of the marriage concept. Add to that the forty percent of marriages affected by infidelity and the argument simply dies.
Therefore, in answer to the question of “what is the Church’s view on homosexuality?” the answer is: it is none of the business of the Church. Homosexuals are as welcome to our congregation as anyone else who values the sacraments of Solipsology. The Spiritual Atheist does not judge and certainly does not discriminate. We all share the same planet, the same Universe, and the same soul. It is none of my business.
And it is none of yours, either.
