The second part of this story has been published 17/9/18. Read it here. Bible verses included.
377A Debate In Singapore
According to a Christian leader, Christians see LGBT as an issue to tackle but do not hear the stories of hurt and rejection of the community.
However, it is difficult for a pastor to put his reputation and church on the line to take a stand.
I am no religious leader, but as someone who has been in the evangelical scene for many years and a student of the bible, this is what I have to say.
377A leads to gay marriage legalised
Pastor Lawrence Khong of Faith Community Baptist Church and leader of the Wear White movement expressed concerns about the LGBT lifestyle being normalised and glamourised.
His ultimate fear is that if two men or women are recognised as a family unit, the adopted child will have to grow up without mum or dad.
I can empathise with his idealism that every child should have both a mum and dad. However, we all know reality differs. Single parents can raise their children just as well.
LGBT couples would adopt children that might never have a chance to experience parental love.
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Tenets of faith are subjective in Christianity
There is no singular viewpoint in Christianity. Most pastors, leaders and congregants can’t see eye to eye on many issues.
This is why Catholics and Protestants are separate and further split into denominations.
Pastors leave church because they cannot agree with the board. Leaders conspire to overthrow each other like consorts in Yanxi Palace.
Christians aren’t as united as they seem.
Christians are also constantly subjected to the judgement of other Christians. A need for approval exists amongst evangelical leaders themselves which prevent them from speaking up for marginalised LGBT people.
Straight leaders have no reason to care
Only straight people are promoted in the ministry and assigned positions of power in the National Council of Churches.
They have no incentive to be accepting of LGBT people, which might expose them to criticism.
Straight leaders might identify with being tempted with pornography or adultery, but they cannot relate to feelings of same-sex attraction. Hence, it is easy for them to denounce the lifestyle without providing the solution.
In my church, if you sign up for any serious ministry, such as kids church or mission trips, part of the screening interview is to find out if you have “homosexual tendencies past or present.”
LGBTs are systematically denied prominence in the Church while proclaiming God’s house has room for everyone to serve and belong.
Hypocrisy due to inner conflict
The Church-at-large is inconsistent with its morality.
You often hear testimonials of former drug addicts, porn addicts, adulterers, liars, and divorcees who were saved by the grace of God. But homosexuals do not get any airtime.
To the Church, these other sins are one time booboos, but homosexuality is an ongoing lifestyle.
But a cheating man might cheat again; a compulsive liar lives to lie another day; a drug addict might slip back into addiction if they don’t receive the support they need.
Without going on a full-on theological debate, my question to the Church is: when does grace and forgiveness stop?
Live And Let Live
Beware of people’s ministry that is defined by who they are against. Your religion should not make you hate, it should make you love.
—Prominent evangelical leader, Bishop T.D. Jakes
377A is an unenforced law and should be done away with as such.
Divorce is also against God’s word, but Christians don’t fight against divorce laws simply because it does not make sense in this day and age.
Law minister K. Shanmugam warns about LGBTs imposing their values on the majority. I think this is more a case of a majority imposing their values on a minority that struggles with invisibility.
Muslims don’t push for their dietary laws to be imposed on non-Muslims. In the same vein, sexuality and love are private affairs, yet it is subjected to the approval of the religious community.
Personally, I accept that Christians might find it hard to reconcile their teachings and a society that seem to be plunging into moral ambiguity.
But as a believer, my fear is that the love and compassion of Jesus, who validated prostitutes, is lost in a political cacophony that is based on unfounded fears.
When Jesus came to live among us, he was a friend to sinners. And ironically enough, it was the religious who hated him.
Also Read:
Christian Responds To Bible Quoting Anti-LGBT Christians In 377A Debate
Cover photo by Sebastian Tan
