Torch, Fall/Winter 2007

Hindu sacred texts contain little mention of homosexuality, but interestingly, the world’s most Hindu nation, India, prescribes life in prison for homosexual acts. Thailand, on the other hand, is essentially tolerant of all kinds of sexual expression. Western forms of transcendentalism (New Age, Wicca, Scientology, etc.) usually accept and encourage homosexuality. The guiding ethic in these movements is to choose activities that are mutually beneficial, do no harm to another person, and break no commitments. Natural Freedom: Be AllYou Are Naturalism as a worldview holds that there are no moral restrictions outside of human reason and discourse. The idea that there is a God who directs the affairs of man is seen as dangerous. Naturalism generally follows a utilitarian ethical guideline for all sexual practice. Since naturalism embraces the idea that all reality is physical, homosexuality, it is believed, is physically determined by genetic predisposition and social influences. Sexual orientation is thus hardwired into each person, and environmental influences mold desires and behavior. Any moral restrictions, religious or otherwise, are against these natural impulses and are viewed as backward and oppressive. One writer noted simply, “One of the best ways to defend atheism is to defend homosexuality.” But if this were true, you would expect believers in God to oppose homosexuality. Sadly, this is not always so. Theistic Truth: In the Name of Love? The most interesting collage of views concerning homosexuality exists among those who would be described as having a theistic worldview. Most Muslims and conservative Jews reject both homosexual orientation and behavior. Liberal Jewish groups are generally more tolerant of and sometimes supportive of homosexuality. What determines the approach to homosexuality is how moral authority is derived. Those who believe Fall–Winter 2007 5 their Scriptures are the final word on sexual conduct (the Qur’an for Muslims and the Old Testament for the Jews) prohibit homosexual behavior. The same is true for Christians. For those of us who believe that God’s inerrant Word is the ultimate authority, a normal reading of both the Old and New Testaments clearly reveals the prohibition of homosexual behavior. To be consistently biblical, Christians also recognize the distinction between homosexual acts (which the Bible condemns) and same-sex attraction. Most of us know believers who struggle with this attraction yet wish they didn’t. They know that acting on this inclination, like any other inclination to sin, is something they must avoid (1 Cor. 6:18–20). There is freedom promised in Christ even in the midst of the struggle with sin. The biblical view of human sexuality is clear: God designed sex as a blessing to be enjoyed by one man and one woman within the context of marriage. Dr. Bill Brown became president of Cedarville University in June 2003. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Brown holds a Th.M. and a Ph.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary. As a nationally recognized worldview expert, he has authored three worldview-related books and is the executive producer of the re:View worldview study ( www.re-films.com) . Read his blog at www.cedarville. edu/president . T By the Numbers The campaign to present homosexuality in a positive, normal way in the media is increasing. Gay characters on television are no longer token or stereotyped. And their numbers are growing. Gay Characters on TV 1960s 1 1970s 58 1980s 89 1990s – Present 300+