Hey pastor, does God make mistakes? That is a question which is asked by Gays and
Lesbians--too often silently. A child is born to heterosexual parents, with certain
genitalia identifying the child's body as male or female. But for some children, by the time the child begins to master speech it becomes obvious that the mind and disposition of the child does not match the genitalia. The penis endowed child shows a disposition in action and demeanor to mimic a vagina endowed child. The vagina endowed shows a masculine inclination. In speech, mannerisms, choice of games, toys, and dress the very young child acts as if the genitalia should have been of the opposite sex. The confusion in mind, and the responses of the parents and others create guilt feelings in the child. To the devout it is not possible that God made an error---we are all God's children. So the problem must be the result of sinful choice made by the child (or visited on the parents)--original sin updated. The child must change the evil ways, or hide the shame. And so the punishment begins, and the suffering.
In many animal species hermaphrodism is normal and so are role reversals. Offspring are raised by males and females do the foraging for food. Sexual orientation is
then a variable scale from all male/all female, to blends of both. Is that not
possible in humans, the peak of the pyramid of living creatures?
If we accept that proposition then we can accept that gays and lesbians are different, not by choice, but by nature and deserve to be treated with the respect due all God's creatures. They in turn must respect the sensitivities of others and
not seek exemption from moral and accepted standards of behavior.
Don't ask don't tell is demeaning to God's creation if you believe. It is demeaning to the right of each citizen to equal protection under the law, if you do not believe. Other nations have encountered no problems with gays in their military.
Why is our Puritan ethic so traumatized at the thought?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Soldiers wear a uniform. When joining the military you have to wear a uniform and become uniform. You contract to follow the rules of conduct of a highly regulated organization with its own laws and its own justice. You are no longer part of our diverse broad minded modern civilian society.
The military frowns on individuality and does not recognize homosexuality within its ranks. The policy “Don’t ask” is fair since it allows all types to join without having to reveal their personality.
Now you have chosen to wear a uniform and your conduct must conform to the expected uniformity. That does not include homosexual sentiments, so don’t tell.
The military with its special mission cannot afford to have sexual preferences considered for its uniformed personnel. You are a soldier first and don’t tell me what else is on your mind.
The covenant “don’t ask don’t tell” is a good rule for our military.
If you object, get into politics instead.
Jacques
Post a Comment