And, here's the worst part—it's sponsored by a church! Yep, those picketers with the signs "God hates fags" and "Burn in hell Matthew Shepherd" call themselves Christians. (Check out God hates godhatesfags.com)

But, why does God (and many of those who profess to follow Him) seem so bent out of shape about homosexual behavior? Here's my theory for your consideration.

God's very image is expressed in the marriage relationship between a man and woman.

In the creation story, "God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them." I believe that God's character and personality are so wonderfully complex that he had to make two different genders to express his "image." Male and femaleness together reflect various aspects of an incredibly complex Being.

If we visualize God as a triangle, Figure 1 illustrates how both genders are necessary to fully express God's character. Divorce is one way to disfigure the image of God (Figure 2).

God's very image is distorted in a union between the same sexes.

Jesus seems to say that there are several possible reasons that people may not have a normal relations with the opposite sex: "Some are born without the ability to marry and some are disabled by men and some refuse to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 19:12 The Living Bible). There may be biochemical reasons for a homosexual orientation or environmental causes such as neglect or sexual abuse. For this reason, the Bible doesn't condemn one for his or her sexual orientation.

Perhaps God gets so bent out of shape over homosexual behavior because his very image is bent out of shape. (See Figure 3.)

The Bible is also clear, though, that divorce or homosexual acts are not unforgivable sins. And they are not the only sins the Bible condemns. (Hate and gossiping are also addressed in strong terms.) God loves each and everyone and wants each relationship to express his character of love.

There are many other complex issues that surround divorce and homosexual behavior. I've only address two issues, but two that I believe are crucial: God's very image is expressed in the marriage relationship between a man and woman and God's very image is distorted in a union between the same sexes. That's why, not only is God's image bent out of shape, but millions of human lives as well.

At least it's something to think about. And contrary to hateful Web sites, God loves you whether you're straight, gay, bisexual, transgendered, etc. etc. etc.

Copyright © 1999 James N. Watkins. All rights reserved.

Related site:

A biblical perspective on human sexuality
Marriage and civil unions

Comments

Edward Stein, Ph.D., a gay activist has critically researched the nature vs. nurture arguments. Writing in the gay-oriented Advocate," Stein warned that "claims [of] biological origin to homosexuality [have] serious problems with the science itself. My training has taught me that a lot of what was being said was, well, highly unscientific." RabidRiter@hotmail.com (March 1999)

The image speaks for itself.


cadlib@videotron.ca

You almost had me, until I tried it with my original drawing (yours on left, mine on right). You had to distort the original image to make the two pieces fit—which was my whole point.

I can think of no graceful way to begin this post, so I'll jump right in.

What is the difference between homosexuality and heterosexual sex outside of marriage? Nothing. Both are sexual sins in God's eyes. So why is the church so comfortable around an "adult" couple who have sex outside or marriage or may even be living together, but clam up when confronted with someone who is contemplating whether they are attracted to the same sex?

Frankly, I think the church needs to take a good, long, hard and painful look at itself and how it portrays Christ to the world. Did Christ distinguish between the thief, the prostitute, and the pharisee? I don't think so. If anything, he was harder on the pharisee who KNEW what God wanted and refused to do it.

Remember, the Bible says that those who don't know God are BLINDED by satan. Conviction of sin is God's area of expertise, not ours. Good job, Jim, for pointing out that hate is not a form of witnessing. Love is. Take a cue from Nike and "Just do it."

Keep the food for thought coming, Jim. America is hungry. raverill@earthlink.net (April 2004)

I've been deep studying the bible text and read your own site, but was concerned to find you still feel gay acts are all sinful as the bible dosn't say they are, it says sex outside of love is wrong....so gay love is not sinful in the least doctorwho@bushinternet.com (December 2003).

It's, admittedly, a controversial subject and open to various interpretations. In my Bible study, I find Scripture forbidding homosexual behavior both explicitly and by implication:

Specific prohibitions:
Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13
Romans 1:24, 26, 27
1 Corinthians 6:9

Implied prohibitions:
Genesis 19:5-7
Judges 19:22-23

I find nothing in Scripture to support the premise that the "bible doesn't say they are [wrong]; it says sex outside of love is wrong....so gay love is not sinful in the least."

Can you direct me to Scriptures that support that premise?

I hope my site does make clear that God loves the homosexual person, but is not pleased with his/her homosexual behavior (just as He loves the heterosexual person, but is not pleased with adultery . . . or any other sins that damage relationships with God and others).

Again, thanks for writing. I'll look forward to hearing back from you.

I was a religious person and begin to question religion nowdays and its beliefs. I'm beginning to question the bible which is something based on since christ. The world has modernised by far because people have modernised. Who knows god more than likely modernised the world in which we live. How do religious leaders know that god hates gays because of a bible based on up to 2 thousand years ago?

Thanks for writing. You raise some good questions.

The Bible itself claims that God does not change (Psalm 102:27, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) and Jesus claims that His laws do not change either (Matthew 5:17-19). With that in mind, it appears to me that God has not modernized His laws or standards over the centuries.

Actually, you can find one of my columns speaking out against pedophile priests at Jim Shorts on Issues.

Absolutely! That's why you'll find another article called God hates godhatesfags.com. And I argue that gay bashing is not "Christian" in another column

Again, Jesus points out that God's laws do not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Homosexual behavior is still not a part of God's design for His creation (Romans 1:18-32).

But God's design is for all people to love each other with respect and dignity: to love their neighbor as themselves (Matthew 22:34-40). It is sin to treat anyone otherwise.

I am so sorry if your son has been treated in any other way than lovingly by those who claim the name of "Christian."

And, again, thanks for writing.

I read your article describing what you feel about why God is against homosexual relationships - because they distort the image of God. Thank you very much for speaking so lovingly yet truthfully about a controversial subject. I think it is easily misunderstood that Christians speak about the person rather than their behavior, but you have made it clear that the behavior of homosexuality is wrong without labelling the person an unloved and unloveable person. Thank you Mr. Watkins. I look forward to reading more of what God has laid on your heart. Your sister in Christ, Tmorgan93@aol.com (July 10, 2000)

I wanted to write to say thank you for the articles on homosexuality and same sex unions and gay orientation. There is so much confusion because of lack of communication between the culture and the church that the definition of "homosexual" is so twisted. I wanted to thank you for your response to this issue as a whole. Thank you. adonailover@yahoo.com (July 2002).