What Seventh-day Adventists Are Saying...

You might be surprised by what other Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) have shared and written about homosexuality in SDA-related publications.  Rather than representing a monolithic group which is uniformly "anti-gay," some Adventists have approached the topic with open-mindedness and compassion. Below are only a few examples:

"Celibacy is a feasible alternative to heterosexual marriage for a number of heterosexual and homosexual men and women. When this is not the case (please read 1 Corinthians 7), the same ethical standards that disapprove of adultery, fornication, and a host of other practices that separate the spiritual and physical aspects of human sexual intimacy, apply to Christian heterosexual and homosexual persons with equal force."  —David Larson, Ph.D. Ethics Professor, School of Religion, LLU     

"The Savior is still carrying forward the same work as when He proffered the water of life to the woman of Samaria. Those who call themselves His followers may despise and shun the outcast ones; but no circumstance of birth or nationality, no condition of life, can turn away His love from the children of men."
—E. G. White, Desire of Ages, 194

"It appears to me that the problem of homosexuality isn’t what it does to people who have that orientation (and their families), but what it does to those of us who are trying to reflect Christ’s character in our lives and communities." —Steve Chavez, Associate Editor, Adventist Review

"God created us to be in relationship; first with Him and then with one another. E G White, Desire of Ages, 194And the need to belong and be a part of someone else’s life is still one of our primary basic needs." 
—Willie and Elaine Oliver, NAD Family Ministries Directors

"I am tempted to think it is not a major issue. Most of the time I am not directly affected—and we all tend to think with less urgency about issues that don’t bother us directly. From a Christian perspective, the Bible says little about the issue of homosexuality—no more than five references, depending how you count them. And there is such a variety of explanations of these verses—urging what they “really” say—covering many shades of meaning.

"Belying the noise of various Christian activists, it is difficult to argue homosexuality as a specifically-important moral issue from a biblical perspective. It’s little wonder we would prefer to avoid the difficult questions, whether by our silence or by our dogmatic and perhaps unfeeling adherence to a seemingly simple, black-and-white attitude.

"But then I come across the personal stories of those who have been hurt, confused and excluded by the church. Recognising the personal trauma, loss and heartache of openly acknowledging one’s homosexuality in a conservative Christian community, it seems obvious most of those who have endured such an ordeal are not homosexual by choice. If they could choose otherwise, their lives and faith would be so much simpler."
—Nathan Brown, Editor, Australian Record 

"Homosexuality is not a disease.  It is not catching.  It will not rub off."  —E. E. Wellman, Adventist Today

"Many homosexuals who’ve shared their stories with me have carried a profound sense of unworthiness. They are profoundly dissatisfied with themselves. They feel condemned and unwanted by God. Sometimes they are isolated from their parents and siblings. Frequently they are unwanted at church. They feel desperately poor in spirit. And Jesus’ first word to them is: You are blessed; the kingdom of heaven belongs to you." —John McLarty, Pastor and former Editor of Adventist Today

"Regardless of one's attitude about homosexuality, much damage follows from presenting it as an unpardonable sin, an abomination or the sin God hates.  I have taught and pastored on academy campuses for six years and I know that some young people gave up hope of ever being 'normal' because of the ungodly mishandling of this issue.  Whether you believe homosexuals are born or made, you will never talk anyone out of being one."  —Mitchell Henson,  Adventist Today

"No one has a right to control another's mind, and judge for another, prescribing what is his duty. There are certain rights that belong to every individual, in doing God's service. No man has any more right to take these rights from us than to take life itself. God has given us freedom to think, and it is our privilege and duty always to be a doer of the Word, and to follow our impressions of duty. We are only human beings, and one human being has no jurisdiction over the conscience of any other human being."
—E. G. White, Letter 92, 1895

"During the twelve years since leaving the pastorate, I have gone through tremendous struggles to know who I am while holding onto my faith in God and a relationship with the church.  After twenty-five years in desperate pursuit of the miracle of 'change,' I eventually had to accept the fact that I am a homosexual.  Whatever relationship I have with God and his church must of necessity include that inescapable fact.  I have heard stories of 'change,' but I can only bear witness of what God has done for me.  He has not changed me.  I prayed and fasted, sought counseling and the help of the most highly recommended "change" ministry.  Others prayed for me, supported me, anointed me, even performed an exorcism.  But God did not change me. Instead he loved and accepted me. To be sure, there have been times when I wondered if God was really there and cared and whether the SDA church was really a place for me to find spiritual support.  But I am grateful for where I am now-at peace with God and living a fulfilled life-balancing work, an active role in my local SDA church (something many gay Christians find impossible) and service to my community."  —Anonymous former SDA pastor, Adventist Today

"I long to see our church take the lead in demonstrating Christian love and compassion for homosexuals, neither condemning them for an orientation over which they have no control, nor encouraging them to accept something less than God's best for their lives, but supporting them with prayer and understanding as they seek to follow God's plan for their lives."  —Carrol Grady (aka Kate McLaughlin),  Adventist Review

"There are a number of psychological, biological, and spiritual issues to consider simultaneously when learning about sexual orientation. In considering options, it may be helpful to review policies issued by professional health care organizations.  The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychiatric Association and American Psychological Association have detailed policies regarding the treatment of homosexuals based upon more than a century of research.  These policies are useful guides in assessing ethical behavior on the part of therapists, counselors and health care providers.  Sadly, some counseling on homosexual orientation has been guilty of grossly unethical and abusive tactics.  To date, there is no credible evidence (independent professional peer-reviewed research) that sexual orientation can be altered.  There is good evidence that attempts to change sexual orientation can result in serious harm or detriment -- and does not work.  Perhaps more realistic for some is behavioral modification -- typically a commitment to lifelong celibacy -- but research shows that lifelong celibacy is rarely sustainable for the vast majority.  Furthermore, while many Adventists condemn monogamous same-gender relationships, such condemnation may actually promote promiscuity rather than nurture responsible relationships." 
—Ben Kemena,  Adventist Today

"It is depressing to be reminded that the Church can also be simplistic and dogmatic, ignoring both biblical and human complexity to reaffirm standard moral clichés that ring hollow (about homosexuality)... One can be disappointed that, at the last Annual Council in the second millennium of our Lord, the Church did not find courage to draw a circle large enough to include heterosexual and homosexual members in redemptive conversation and community."  —Aubyn Fulton,  Spectrum

"...the claim that God hates homosexuals ranks up there with the biggest lies ever told.  The Bible is emphatic:  God loves all of us -- gay or straight, young or old, female or male, saint or sinner.  'Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance,' wrote the apostle Paul. 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1 Tim 1:15), and that means all of us." —Stephen Chavez,  Adventist Review

"Major themes which run throughout Scripture may be viewed from many vantage points within its pages.  But some issues are so minor as to appear only sporadically.  Standard condemnation of homosexuality belongs in the sporadic category.  The church does have the option of condemning homosexuality in both genders and all cases, but it will do so at the risk of continual and justified criticism.  There is good reason to see the church's use of Scripture on this issue as inconsistent, biased, and ignorant of the culture and issues found in the Bible texts."  —Jim Miller, Adventist Today

"Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, Inc. was formed after the first Kampmeeting held in Arizona in 1980.  At that first gathering, two Adventist pastors and three seminary professors attended as official delegates of the General Conference.  The two pastors, both familiar with the pain and isolation felt by homosexual members of their congregations, emphasized the need for the church to make a greater effort to understand gay people before judging the quality of their Christianity. The three professors were scholars of the Old Testament, the New Testament and theology respectively.  They concluded that the Lord's will for persons with a homosexual orientation could not be determined from the few scriptural references to homosexual acts."  —Harvey Elder and Bob Bouchard, Adventist Today

"I feel sad apprehension for those who seek a spiritual, medical or psychological 'cure' for homosexuality.  It might be spiritually crushing to discover that God has planned no mechanism to undo the homosexual format he created.  Scientific literature holds no evidence of actual 'conversion,' and spiritual attempts at cure have not stood up to examination or time."  —David Bee, Adventist Today