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Supporting and advocating for gay Adventists since 1976 |
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What Seventh-day Adventists
are saying
"We have
much to learn about homosexuality. Experts agree that there is no
one cause for being gay. Sexual orientation and behaviors are a
complex phenomenon involving numerous factors, most of which are not determined
by us as individuals. Before we take a stand on any aspect of this
or any other topic, it is wise to read as much as possible. Open
communication with gay persons about their spiritual and social concerns
bring the facts into sharper focus. Too often exclusivity and dogmatism
are signs of not being adequately informed." "Homosexuality is not a disease. It is not catching. It will not rub off." -- EE Wellman (Adventist Today, November-December 1999) "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, April 1996) "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, July-August 1999) "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, April 1997) "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, July-August 1999) "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, Winter 2000) "...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, May 27, 1999) "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, July-August 1999) "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, September 1995) "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, November-December 1999) |
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| 10/27/2005 | © copyright 2002 SDA Kinship International, Inc. |
