"The Dance"
Article By Ralph Spence - November 2001
Over the last ten years, we have dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy to the discussion of sexuality and sexual behavior. I have seen little evidence that we have gotten any closer to the truth. While many seem to feel they know the direction the church is heading, the final destination and the path we take to get there are far from clear. I have called the reasoning being applied "multiple choice theology" because, the authority given scripture is not consistent and there are often contradictions in the arguments used. Regardless of who is having the discussion, the conversation between advocates of homosexual behavior, and those opposed, often seems to go something like this:
Advocate - The Bible says nothing about homosexuality
Guardian - There are both references in Leviticus and in Romans in the New Testament
Advocate - The word used for homosexual behavior in Leviticus was referring to exploitation, not love
Guardian - But Leviticus clearly includes Homosexuality in the list of forbidden activities
Advocate - Leviticus also condemns many things we now consider to be acceptable
Guardian - In the New Testament, Paul clearly condemns homosexual behavior
Advocate - Paul also opposed women clergy and may have been fighting his own temptations
Guardian - If scripture is the written testament of God, then those positions are God's word
Advocate - Paul's writings are distorted by cultural influence and Jesus says nothing about homosexuality
Guardian - But in Mathew 19, when disciples question marriage, Jesus refers to eunuchs as the alternative
Advocate - In that same passage Jesus also condemns divorce, but we allow that now
Guardian - But divorce is still viewed as wrong and we do not approve a life of repeating divorces
Advocate - Scripture includes contradictions, men recorded it and it is culturally flawed
Guardian - Many scriptural teachings are based on common sense and concerns for health and well-being
Advocate - Scripture is influenced by cultural norms - concerns were social or threats to male dominance
Guardian - But even today, homosexual activity exposes a person to disease and other physical harm
Advocate Disease can be avoided, besides, a homosexual person has no choice in their sexual identity
Guardian - They can choose abstinence and many are able to join in heterosexual relationships
Advocate - But they are denying their own identity and should not be treated as second class citizens
Guardian - Authorities say sexual orientation is not well defined and we are all bisexual to some degree
Advocate - We are all sexual creatures with desires that should be understood and not repressed
Guardian - We should not follow all desires, scripture teaches us to overcome temptations of the flesh
Advocate - Scripture is flawed, our individual sexuality is a gift from God that is wrong to deny
Guardian - Unrestricted sexual activity can harm a person's physical and emotional health
Advocate - The only harm is cause by cultural norms that pass judgement and say that behavior is wrong
Guardian - But promiscuity leads to disease, unwanted pregnancy and harm to spiritual well-being
Advocate - If society was not repressed, we could educate and disease and pregnancy could be avoided
Guardian - We should not overturn scripture and change social norms for the sake of physical pleasure
Advocate - Jesus overturned scripture and norms teaching love and condemning judgmental behavior
Guardian - If we follow the teachings of Jesus, we must follow all of scripture in areas of sexuality
Advocate - The Bible says nothing about homosexuality (Go back to the beginning to continue)
This exchange has become so familiar that many are not even listening any more. We have entered into a relationship in our community that is similar to the behavior that has been described as the "dance" within a marriage. The "dance" occurs when each partner knows the actions and the reactions of the other so well, that there is little effort and no inspiration in the relationship. In a form of "auto-pilot" the couple goes through the motions of the "dance" and it is hard for them to break the familiar patterns of behavior. When partners become frustrated or hurt by these patterns, they often seek divorce. As I look around the church today, I can see similar frustrations and pain that are undermining our trust and our community.
It is essential that we break this pattern and seek a deeper understanding of mutual concerns. Part of that deeper understanding could be based on a discussion of what we seek in a church. Some members want a church that strives to be a community with similar beliefs that can join together in advocating cultural change. Others seek a community with diverse beliefs that avoids passing judgement on beliefs that are different from their own. It is very hard for one church to satisfy both. What is even harder, is when members seek a community with diverse beliefs and they also want to be advocates of cultural change. I believe that is where we are in the Episcopal Church.
While embracing the notion that there will be no outcasts in this church, many still seek to use the church's influence to advocate political positions and cultural changes that are not supported by all members of the church. While judgmental behavior is condemned and diversity is embraced, the traditional beliefs of many members, as well as other cultures, are subjected to ridicule and attack.
The power of church can be used to change lives and influence cultural norms and how that power will be used is what is presently at stake. In our discussion of sexuality, I have seen no indication that w have come closer to God's truth in our reinterpretation of scripture and tradition. I once asked, if the interpretations of scripture by two cultures disagree, which interpretation should prevail? The answer I received was that God's interpretation should prevail. That is the easy solution, but the hard part is determining which one is speaking for God.
