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I have thought quite a bit on the subject of religion and homosexuality. When someone who is unfamiliar with the topic inquires about it, the answer they most likely would receive is along the lines of 'Christians and homosexuals cannot mix since it is sinful to be homosexual.' What a definite answer! ... Or is it?

Many Christians believe that God hates homosexuals. This dislike for them is defined as 'God being displeased with their 'choices' and thus hates them for it'. I would offer some argument to this. The first points being that I, personally, do not believe that God is capable of hate. I cannot think of a more contradictory idea to the essence of religion, and of their being a God, then Him hating His followers. I do not consider myself out of line for thinking this idea as nothing more then ridiculous.

The next point that could be made, though it would be heavily argued, is that homosexuality is a genetic disposition. When ask, many homosexuals say that they did not chose to be this way, they just are. That is something I will support further in this essay.

Psalm 139: "¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth ¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

God knows. He created us, He knows our spirit, our past, our present, and our future. When I hear of people agonizing over the knowledge and 'guilt' they feel at discovering their homosexuality, I'm saddened by it. Why do they feel guilty? God created them! They haven't been hiding anything from Him. The truth of their nature was something that He did not reveal to them until it suited His purpose. I would be praising the Lord for giving me such insights to my soul!

As I see it, God has ordained a different path for those He created homosexual. It is not an easy path, but it is walkable. Much like a Christian soldier who must kill another person against the Biblical edict not to murder. That is a burden they must live with for the rest of their life and sets them up to walk a different path. God knew what the soldier would do one day, and prepared them for that path during their life. Likewise, a homosexual is prepared for their journey.

Psalm 139: "¹ O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."

This is another passage that re-enforces the idea that no bombshells are being dropped on God. For as long as a person has walked this earth, He has known them. If one were to tell me that they are no longer worthy of walking with God because they are a sinner, I would ask, "What has changed?" The fact is, nothing has. The worship they offered Him before discovering themselves is just as pleasing as the worship they offer afterwards. Perhaps even more pleasing because they are walking the path He has set them. Leaving the Church in disgrace is not even an option that should be considered.

Psalm 139: "⁷ Where can go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. ⁹ If I rise on the wings of the darn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, ¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

This passage asks a very good question, "Where could you go?" Even more so, "Why would you want to?" He will always be there to guide us. Those who still leave the Church are not forgotten. They are not sheep that are lost to the wolves. God has not forsaken them.

Let me create an analogy. What if two Christians were on opposite forces on a battlefield? What if their allegiances to human states forced them to fight each other? Is it not written that one should not murder? But this scenario happens. Who is the 'evil' one, or the one who is 'wrong'? Wouldn't both men feel justified, if not somewhat saddened, in the actions they take?

This is how the field is set up in regards to homosexuals and the Church. Both sides believe in the same God. Both sides worship Him. Which one is wrong? Either? Both? Neither? Or is this just another case of human divisions with boundaries that must be defended on each side?

I'm asking a lot of rhetorical questions. I can only offer my own interpretation of the answers. Neither side is wrong. Both feel justified in what they do. They are brothers in same family and, when they die, will be united in heaven. Human emotions of fear, distrust, and misunderstanding on both sides have driven a rod between what should be a single force working for God.

I'm not going to guess why things work this way. For ages, man has tried to second-guess God's will through physical signs such as plague. I do not feel that it is my place to be so presumptuous. What I will offer is a dedication to bridge the gap between homosexuals and the Church. We are brothers. I love those who oppose me because we are on the same side. We may not have been cast into complementary roles, but that doesn't justify a lack of respect for each other.