Homophobic? My A*se!

One of the most frequent criticisms in the press of the church is that it is homophobic. I must admit that I know very few homosexuals, none with whom I would initiate a conversation with about their sexuality.

However, I know a lot of homophobes, and they are almost exclusively not Christians. Yes, there are those in the church who are willing (and ready) to cast the first stone in judgement, but they are normally small-minded people who are judgemental about just about everything!

Christians and churches have at times been very harsh in the words spoken about homosexuality, whilst being soft on more "respectable" (but from a biblical perspective, equally unacceptable) practices. Consequently, the gay movement can understandably feel singled out for unfair treatment by the church. I recently heard a story about a church elder who was challenged about the way he had effectively ripped off a fellow Christian in a business deal, and refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing with the comment, "business is business." The person concerned was allowed to carry on in leadership, even though he had shown contempt for the livelihood of the person he had profited from.

What is often conveniently overlooked is that since the AIDS epidemic became global news in the mid 1980's, the two biggest sources of funding for care have been the government and the church: in fact, in Africa, over 70% of the care provided is administered by Christian organisations. Delirious, who come from the Evangelical, Charismatic wing of the church, are a rock band who plough a significant amount of their hard-earned cash into Hope HIV, providing care for ophans and those who are dying from the effects of the disease.

I appreciate the fact that although in the western world, homosexual activity is the predominant way in which the HIV virus is passed on, it is not the only way. In some African countries, promiscuous heterosexuals are equally high risk, as are their children, to the extent that one country now has a life expectancy of just 33. This tragic waste of human life is robbing communities and some whole countries of their future, but to suggest that the church is homophobic is insulting.