Human nature

There's a petition that's going around Facebook warning that Ugandan legislation could be passed that demands the execution of homosexuals. I haven't checked the facts on this.

I was privy to a FB post relating to this where a Christian commented along the lines of "While I don't believe that homosexuality is right, please sign this petition to stop them being executed in Uganda..." What an uproar! There were a number of homosexuals and a number of Christians who subsequently commented. One particular person of a homosexual persuasion was irate that this person should have written the disclaimer, and accused the person of being homophobic. It was all a bit primary school style, as said person then went on to say "you're not my friend any more..."

That debacle got me thinking about a couple of things.

I heard a story of a gentleman who made the mistake of holding the door for a feminist. "Are you holding the door for me just because I'm a woman," she spat at him.

I'd like to think I'd hold the door open for anyone: man or woman... straight or gay.

Similar to the person who started the furore, I am a Christian who, based on my reading of the Bible, can't condone homosexuality. I recall a conversation with a friend from uni several years ago. She was an inquisitive non-christian who had asked questions in her childhood and hadn't gotten any of the answers she was chasing. So I recall that we would discuss things. And in one of the discussions homosexuality came up. She made a couple of comments. First she said, "But you're not homophobic, you wouldn't not be friends with someone because they were gay." Next she said, "You wouldn't have problems with going to a gay bar, for example." I agreed with the first statement. The second statement, I couldn't quite agree with. I had to admit that I probably would feel quite awkward going to a gay bar.

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I've always been a little confused by the conundrum... why would God create people who are of a sexual orientation that is contrary to his word? There is a movement that pushes the notion that sexuality is pre-determined. Yet many of the voices in Christian leadership are quick to jump on the line used in the 70s, that homosexuality was a lifestyle choice. Because that was the catchcry when things really heated up, the church leaders argue that they can't have it both ways.

The issue of homosexual origins is not something that I can relate to, and for the moment I'll stick to being unsure about who is right on the subject.

But the question of "why would God create people who are of a sexual orientation that is contrary to his word?" is one that I think a little light can be shed on, at least in terms of establishing a more representative situation.

The term that gets me is "human nature". Human nature is generally equated to selfishness. Selfishness is then defined as putting yourself before others, including God. And what are the two greatest commands according to Jesus? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbour as yourself.

From the Christian perspective that homosexuality is wrong, surely there are enough parallels between homosexuality and human nature, that by understanding human nature, why I have selfish tendencies, why I worry about myself first and then God and others come second, surely if I can understand that a little better, I might be better able to understand why God made people of a sexual orientation that is contrary to his word.

The only problem is, I don't really understand human nature.