Gay Christians – Gentiles of the 21^st Century?

BAPTISTS TODAY CONFERENCE -SYDNEY

26 August 2006

Presentation by Anthony Venn-Brown 

 Abstract:

 Gay Christians are a new phenomenon but a growing one. Currently a Google search of just ‘Gay Christian’ brings up about 285,000 pages.  Some silently left our churches knowing their acceptance was impossible, while others departing was more dramatic and painful.  It seems that many have found God in a new way outside the city walls, in their time of alienation. This presentation takes an honest look at the torturous journey one must take in order to resolve their faith and their sexuality. How should we respond to gay Christians, the gay community at large and the issues of equal rights?

Introduction

You probably don’t know exactly how thrilled I am to be with you today and how grateful I am to be invited to share with you.

I’m sure you all realise that today we are creating history. Number one, I am Australia’s first openly gay Pentecostal. I guess that makes me a piece of history. I say openly because there are actually lots of gays and lesbians in Pentecostal churches: even in leadership. They are either not out or in denial. Some are tormented and single others are trying to change through marriage, some have come to a place of reluctant acceptance, a few have realised being attracted to the same sex is no more evil than be attracted to the opposite sex but have still to find the courage to share that truth with others. It’s the same in the Baptist churches. The historic thing we are doing of course is that I have been invited to speak at this Baptist Conference on homosexuality. I can remember the time I was labelled demon possessed by my Baptist brothers and sisters because I spoke in tongues. Some of my friends went through exorcisms in Baptist churches because they had come to our charismatic meetings. Things have changed. That is all quite laughable today. One day we’ll look back and laugh at how ridiculous it was to single out homosexuals as some sort of evil influence we needed to keep out of churches.

Some of my early Christian walk was with Baptists. I write about that in my autobiography. My best friend John at High School went to Ryde Baptist. I was Anglican so I went through the great trauma of seeking to be obedient to God by ‘following Jesus through the waters of baptism by full immersion.” I was in my final year of High School and my parents said they would disown me if I got baptised again. I remember the words of Jesus who said that the choice would come to follow God or my mother and father. I choose God and my Baptists friends offered me a home when my parents threatened to throw me out. I spent many a weekend away at camps with holiness preachers and “wept for hours at the altar under the conviction of the Holy Spirit”……to say nothing of the endless bible studies.

So I’m grateful in many ways for what I learnt and the experiences I had in my time with the Baptists. They are good memories not bad.

I think it’s rather ironic that the thing that is bringing us together today is that same thing that is actually separating entire denominations and that is the issue of homosexuality. Who would have thought?

Homosexuality has become a defining issue.

This year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people were preparing to attend WorldPride  Jerusalem this month. The theme: Love Without Borders . Jerusalem WorldPride 2006 was to bring a new focus to an ancient city through a massive demonstration of LGBT dignity, pride, and boundary-crossing celebration. In these times of intolerance and suspicion, from the home of three of the world’s great religions, they were to proclaim that love knows no borders.

Rabbi Yehuda Levin, founder of Jews for Morality, organized an international coalition of Rabbis and Muslim and Christian leaders to stop the event. Some leaders even advocating violence against the participants. Throughout Jerusalem, well-circulated fliers were offering a $4,500 bounty for anyone who “brings about the death of the denizens of Sodom and Gomorrah”.

Like the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who blamed Sept. 11 on gays, feminists and abortionists, at least one rabbi has pinned the current Middle East crisis on the lesbian and gay gathering. In a hand-written dispatch to his followers, Moshe Sternbuch, head of an Israeli rabbinic court, asserted, “we have not protested enough against this parade of abomination, and therefore we have received this warning.”

Referring to WorldPride as a “terrible phenomenon,” Israel’s chief rabbi has asked the pope to help “thwart” the planned festivities. Sheikh Ibrahim Sarsour of the Islamic Movement, who holds a seat in the Israeli parliament, described the gathering as “the beginning of a catastrophe for the whole human community.” Some Jewish and Muslim leaders have even called their efforts to stop WorldPride a “holy war.”

Hatred, intolerance and rejection is bad enough but to do it in the name of God is , to use the well-quoted words from Leviticus ……………………. an abomination.

Of course, the current battle going on in the church over the issue of homosexuality is nothing new. Church history shows up just how frequently there have been groups of people who the church has tried to exclude. More about that later.

One thing I know is that Baptists are bible people so that’s where I’d like start today……..in the Bible.

Bible Tribes

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 7:9
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.

 Tribe:

1. A unit of socio-political organization consisting of a number of families, clans, or other groups who share a common culture and among whom leadership is typically neither formalized nor permanent
2. A social division of people

If you’ve read my book you’ll know I finish with the words “God I love my tribe” and I genuinely do. I love the people, I love the culture, I love the challenge they bring to the world, I love the diversity, I love the outrageousness. I love the support they give to each other. That doesn’t mean they are perfect. What family is? But I still love them and I love them without judgement. This was not always the case however.

A biblical lesson in inclusivity

As I mentioned, the church has always been challenged to be inclusive but too often has sort to be exclusive. Jesus ministry was all about inclusion. His parables taught it. His life demonstrated it. Jesus was the great rule breaker whose opposition came from men of religion who should have known better. You can’t do that. You can’t mix with those people. You can’t say that. It was constant. Religious leaders who were right according to the law but so wrong according to love. Things ain’t changed much.

In Acts 10 we read the familiar story of Cornelius the Roman centurion  (a gentile) who had a vision that he was to send his servants to Joppa and bring back Peter. Meanwhile God is trying to get through the years of Jewish separatism and exclusivity and speak to Peter. Let’s pick up the story in verse 9.

Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

Why three times? Because not only are some of God’s people stubborn…… some are thick.

You know the rest of the story. Peter goes to Cornelius’s house and preaches.

Verse 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

Peter had his personal experience that God was extending the boundaries. So it is happening today. As gay (GLBT) Christians come out, as people get to know GLBT family members, friends, work colleagues the preconceived ideas, misconceptions are broken down and people realise we are no more different to them except we are attracted to the same sex not the opposite sex.

From what I have discovered in churches more and more individuals are having a personal experience like Peter and God has shown them that they should not call any man impure or unclean. I’ve found them in Hillsong and other Assemblies of God churches. I’ve found them in Bible colleges. Hopefully you’ve already had your Cornelius experience.

Now the next step.

Acts 15 The Council at Jerusalem

    1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

James spoke up:  19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

So we see Peters individual experience now becomes the corporate experience of the church. Am I stretching the scriptures too far. I don’t think so. How many years between Acts 10 and Acts 15? This is the period we are in now. It takes time to transform a corporate belief system. The struggle we are experiencing today is no different to the struggle for the abolition of slavery, acceptance of Afro-Americans as equal or for women to take positions of leadership in the church.

My personal journey

Let me tell you my story. I’ll try and give you a readers digest version of the 20 chapters.

My first sexual experiences were with guys in the final years of High School in the 1960’s. Homosexuals at this time were imprisoned (1984 decriminalised) or treated with aversion therapy or shock treatment (1973 homosexuality taken off the list of APA illnesses). Two guys at my high school were harassed so much because of their lack of masculinity that they committed suicide. The messages to me were very clear. I should do all I could to become like everyone else but attempting to change only produced depression, confusion an attempt at suicide and finally trips to a psychiatrist.

My battles with my sexuality brought me into a relationship with God as I thought that He could take it away. There were times of relief but not permanent release.  Believing God had called me to the ministry, I went to Bible College in New Zealand where I was told that casting out the demons within me would finally make me free.  For three weeks, I endured the horrors of exorcisms, believing that I was possessed by evil powers. Returning to Australia, I went to an exgay live in program but left after 6 months, emotional and mental abuse. In 1972, I spent 7 months finding out what the gay scene was like. I couldn’t really relate to the stereotypical queens, bitchiness and insincerity. I rededicated my life to God.

I moved to the country and met Helen. Thinking I had received a miracle and that my problems would now be over, we got married in 1974.  After the birth on my two daughters, my wife and I launched out in full-time ministry.  My ministry as an Assemblies of God preacher became more and more successful. During my 13 years of ministry, I achieved many things that people said could not be done. Some of my achievements are:

1. Assemblies of God leader & evangelist who contributed to the growth and transformation of the denomination
2. Regular preacher in all the mega churches of Australia (e.g. Hillsong, Paradise AOG  Adelaide, Garden City Brisbane, City Life Church Melbourne) preaching to audiences of up to 5,000 and in many countries such as USA, UK, New Zealand, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Europe and West Africa.
3. Supported by Frank and Brian Houston (National President, Assemblies of God in Australia and Senior Pastor, Hillsong Church) and also Hon Andrew Evans (Family First Party leader)
4. Founder of Youth Alive NSW (now meets in the Super Dome, Olympic Park)
5. Founder and Director of Every Believer Evangelism
6. First Pentecostal appointed to the Australian Committee of the Lausanne Congress for World Evangelism

My times of great success also had secret battles and struggles.  Sometimes I was able to beat temptation but other times not.  After 16 years of marriage, I fell in love with a man, which forced me to face reality.  I was tired of fighting and could no longer live a lie.  My decision to accept and acknowledge my true identity was very difficult.  To be honest about who I was cost me everything; my career, my business, many friends, my marriage and family.  The pain it caused in my life and those around me that I loved was almost unbearable.  The national exposure and a public confession nearly destroyed me. I thought that my relationship with God was over.

The next 6 years was very interesting, as I learnt what it really meant to be an openly gay man.  Much of that time was spent fighting through years of guilt and conditioning. I lived with a subconscious belief that I was a bad person and failure. I had several co-dependant, abusive relationships and lost a partner to AIDS. My plan was to live openly as a gay man then commit suicide on my 50^th birthday as I couldn’t really see any hope in my life.

During this time I’d totally shut down my belief system as there were too many questions I had no answers for. I thought the only option was be heterosexual and a Christian or be homosexual and go to hell.  In 1998, I did a personal development program, which reconnected me with spirituality.  Basically, I discovered my purpose in life. I realized that I had thrown the baby out with the bath water and there were still many things I’d had in my life as a Christian that were important to me. I communicated with God for the first time in years, as we had not been on speaking terms. Once again, there was quite a dramatic change in my life and progressively my insight and understanding changed as people, books and experiences were brought across my path assisting me to resolve and grow. I discovered the most amazing place of peace, resolution and integrity. Looking at the famous six bible verses again in the light of the cultural and historical context and also the original language made me understand that I had been taught was not really true.

In 1998, I really felt I should tell my story and that it would help many people. My autobiography, ‘A Life of Unlearning’ was released in May 2004 and won Gay Book of the Year and other awards.

It feels like my evolution as a gay man is now complete. I love being a gay man and love my all the wonderful things that make my tribe so unique. If science developed a pill to make homosexual people heterosexual, I wouldn’t take it. There are no more issues to resolve or questions to be answered.  My journey makes sense and I feel like I am right on track.

The horrors revealed

I really believed I must be the only person in the world who was Pentecostal and been through what I’d experienced. So I was quite overwhelmed at the responses that began arriving in my inbox after my book was released. I realised I’d pulled the cork on the bottle.

Emails, letters and phone calls began flowing in and showed the consequences of our long held, uninformed and dated beliefs about sexual orientation. Since then I’ve been committed to doing all I can to bring greater understanding by meeting with individuals, leaders and even the national executive of the Assemblies of God.

The emails continue to come with different stories but in essence contain similar themes and show us why we can no longer maintain the belief that homosexuality (same sex attraction) is a sin. The devastation this has caused in peoples lives cannot be ignored by a church that preaches love and compassion. To ignore the following would be pure hypocrisy.

The common themes of the emails are:

1. Suicide: This would have to be the most horrific result of our church’s current understanding of homosexuality. I know only too well the dark place that one can find oneself due to the conflict with your sexual orientation and your relationship with God. Too many have taken their lives because they were told God would never accept them they way they were and were unable to become heterosexual. I know of one AOG church in Melbourne where three young men (aged 18, 23 and 26) suicided in the space of two years. I’m under the impression that even some pastors have lost their sons this way. One life lost is one too many. 

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a student in a leading Pentecostal bible college. He tells of his passion to serve God and the mental torment he is going through because he is same-sex-attracted. He has been considering suicide. I’ve tried to meet up with him and talk about how he might resolve his situation but he is too scared at this stage. I email him regularly to check if he is okay and see if he’s comfortable about talking. He has sworn me to secrecy as he is very afraid of what might happen. I have to honour that confidentiality, but it would be a terrible thing if he takes his own life.

I think it’s tragic that people kill themselves when I know that it’s possible to live a rewarding, fulfilling life of purpose as a gay man.

2. Parents rejecting their gay children. There are very few Christian parents who know how to respond when their child is either exposed as gay or they pluck up the courage to tell the truth. Parents often feel a sense of shame and insist that the child must change, quoting scripture and sending them off for counseling or other therapies. Some kids have just left their homes knowing from the comments of their Christian parents or in the church that they will never be accepted and are destined for hell.

Recently I’ve read a book called ‘Prayers for Bobby’ where a Christian mother tells her story, based on her son’s extensive diary chronicling the highs and lows of his four-year struggle with being gay and trying to live a Christian life. At the age of 20 he back-flipped off a freeway overpass, timing his leap so his body would be struck and killed by an oncoming truck. For four years before his death, his mother encouraged him to “cure” his homosexuality through prayer, constantly quoting scriptures and telling him that God didn’t what him to be that way. Today Mrs Griffith has a very different view and has dedicated her life to helping other parents so they will not lose their children as she did.

Here is an extract from an email I received this week from a 22 year old guy.

But, I still have my doubts about what it means to be gay and Christian. I have just started seeing a guy. He’s soooo amazing, and he really likes me. It’s really great! We’ve got a great beginning of a relationship. It’s kinda cute. So, I told my parents about him. We’ve been seeing each other for a few weeks, and I met his family, so I was thinking mine should know about him also. It was good to tell them, but at the same time, it’s really hard. I normally talk to my parents for hours, but since I’ve not talked to them much at all. They told me that they still don’t believe I’m gay. It’s not the way God made me, and that it’s not right. They have even offered to hire a prostitute for me, so I can try being straight. I think this is ridiculous, but hey, that’s what they’re saying! What is really hard, is that they’re pastors. My grandparents are pastors, and everyone that I relate to, when I’m home with them, are pastors. It was expected after my baptism and years of Missionary work, that I would carry on the work. Obviously I can’t, but I just don’t know what to do! I’m really struggling to find what’s right.

His email demonstrates the parent’s complete ignorance of sexual orientation and just how unacceptable it is for their son to be gay, that they would even consider hiring a prostitute. It’s almost unbelievable but these kind of stories continue to appear from readers in my inbox. 

3. Men and women marrying to solve the ‘problem’ of same-sex-attraction. Many of the stories received tell of marrying with the belief that this action will change their attraction to the same sex. Whilst these marriages may last for years, eventually and most frequently in mid-life when all the unresolved issues must be dealt with, everything simply falls apart. One email, from a man in Perth, has just experienced this at the age of 62 after 27 years of marriage. This leaves the partner and children with a terrible sense of betrayal that takes years to work through and resolve. Very few people would be aware or understand the issues that Helen, Rebekah and Hannah and I have had to work through as well as our wider circle of family and friends. Recently, in the foyer at Hillsong, I overheard a young man announcing his engagement to his friends. This young man displayed some key indicators that suggested he was probably gay – another tragedy in the making. My heart went out to him and the fiancé knowing that the marriage is doomed to failure as a result of this attempt to become ‘normal’. 

4. Deep emotional trauma. The emails are, at times, heart wrenching as people speak of their traumatic experience when churches, pastors and other individuals have handled the disclosure unwisely. Sadly, many of these people still live with a very deep resentment towards the church and God. Something that would not be happening if there was love, grace and understanding. Philip Yancey speaks so beautifully about this in his book ‘What’s So Amazing About Grace’. These people could still be vital members of our congregations and have a relationship with God. 

Another tragic result of this emotional trauma is that people are often left with feelings of self-hatred which is leads to self-destructive behaviour. Some have shared that this initial reaction when leaving or being rejected by their churches was the contributing factor to them being HIV+ today. 

5. Inadequate counselling. It appears that most pastors are inadequately equipped to counsel members of their congregations with same-sex-attraction. The worst case I’ve been told about involved a pastor suggesting, after his months of counselling had failed, that the guy try sex with a prostitute. Another example that demonstrates just how ill-equipped some of our leaders are to deal with this issue. Many people are given an endless number of strategies to deal with their temptation but find themselves living in constant failure when those strategies don’t work. Others are simply told to pray about it and ask God to change them. When the answers don’t come he/she is left with the constant feeling that I mustn’t have enough faith or God has failed me. In my case, there probably was not one day I didn’t pray and ask God to help and change me. Every time I sought help from pastors I can honestly say, not once was the situation handled in an intelligent manner. 

6. The damage and failure of ex-gay ministries. The e-xgay ministries and Christian counsellors don’t keep records of their success rate even though claims have been made of a 95% success rate while others say its 10%.

Exodus International has been operating now for three decades and even though there have been people who claim to now be heterosexual, history tells us this is not true. People sometimes change their behaviours but not their orientation. Sixteen years of marriage didn’t change me. When Ron Brookman, who heads up the exgay ministry ‘Living Waters’, and I were interviewed together, he freely stated that he got sexually aroused just reading my book.  He may be married but he is not free from his homosexual orientation, even though he claims that Jesus can do that. The promotion of this false hope leads people to years of unnecessary mental torture, interminable confusion and struggle.

Another email tells me of one person’s three suicide attempts, whilst in the Living Waters program, when his failed attempts to change kept him in depression. There is no scientific evidence that says sexual orientation can be changed permanently and that it is in fact damaging to try and change it (see below).

• • American Psychological Association –
  • American Psychiatric Association –

Dr. Robert Spitzer, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, in 2001, reported on a study he had made and indicated that reparative therapy had a failure rate on the order of 99.98%.

Attempts to suppress, deny or reject one’s true sexual identity are potentially harmful and often lead to mental health issues, addictions and/or deviant behaviour. This has become evident in some recent scandals involving ministers. It is my firm belief and experience that this would no longer happen if individuals are given proper counselling about accepting their sexual orientation and how to live that in the light of God’s Word.

The suffering, trauma and even deaths talked about above are the direct result of the churches stand against homosexuality.

To repeat:

NOTHING GOOD HAS COME FROM THE CHURCHES STAND AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY.

How the church has failed to reach the gay community

I’ve been in the gay community for 13 years and quickly discovered that all my beliefs and preconceptions were untrue. Popular misconceptions such as gay relationships not lasting, homosexuals being more promiscuous than heterosexuals and gays and lesbians being sick and perverted are simply not true. I live, work and play with these people and I’m proud to call them my friends because of the lives they live and the kind of people they are. I love them dearly for their continuing support when it has to be honestly admitted that my closest Christian friends ceased having any contact with me in my greatest time of need. Something I’ve never been able to understand in the light of the teachings of Jesus.

The individuals within the gay community need God just as any human being walking this planet. Unfortunately the gay community has often not seen God’s love because the majority of Christians have alienated themselves from them. Having already negatively judged gays and lesbians, it’s difficult for Christians to reach out as love and judgement cannot exist in the heart at the same time. It’s hard for gays and lesbians to see the love and grace of God when they are condemned at the first meeting, in the media or from the pulpit.

For years, we’ve quoted the words ‘love the sinner hate the sin’ but the gay community has rarely seen this love because the church focuses on hating the sin and blocking every attempt gays and lesbians make to gain the same rights enjoyed by heterosexuals. Possibly, there is coming a day when the church will have to ask forgiveness for their attitude towards and even hatred sometimes, of gays and lesbians. Before they can be reached there must be a change of attitude. I encourage you to foster that.

The general impression is that the gay community is being targeted by churches. I get letters against me in the gay press because I go to Hillsong. Regrettably, there is never any discussion. It’s like a boxing match with each camp in the corner, the bell rings and we both come out to exchange blows. It would be more constructive for us to sit down at the table and dialogue. If we are going to reach these people with God’s love, its essential that an informed approach be taken and turn this situation around. It would be wonderful for the media and the public to see the church with their arms open, saying ‘Come’, instead of you are evil, and we don’t want you.

The media is a double-edged sword for us all, often only telling half the story, choosing a sensational angle and reinforcing stereotypes. For the church, they focus on the money and the power and for the gay community the sex. Coverage of the annual Mardi Gras parade, for example, continues to focus on the flamboyant, sometimes excessive minority, something which upsets and horrifies many gays and lesbians who work tirelessly serving the community in wholesome ways behind the scenes.

The bible speaks very clearly about bearing false witness, yet Christian groups demonising GLBT people constantly do this.

Over the years I’ve come across many in my community who have a strong and living faith. The survival of that faith is a miracle itself and a testimony to the power and grace of God.

I ask you to sincerely search your own hearts, do you genuinely love these people? Jesus does. If the answer is yes then I have to ask what are we doing to reach them? There is so much that churches and individual Christians could do to demonstrate God’s love in a practical way. When seeking to renew contact with friends from my time in the ministry, I’ve been the one to take the initiatives, make the contact and follow up as no one has really come to me or made me feel welcome. It’s a constant struggle but I persevere because I know God loves me immensely and I refuse to allow others to think less of me than what I am.

A Way Forward

We have to admit that the bible has been used in the past to promote beliefs we now know were wrong. One of those was the role of women in the church. When I joined the AOG not one woman was ordained. Today is a different story. There can be added to that list many other things such as dancing in and out of the church, going to the movies, behaviour on the Sabbath, dress codes and rock music to name a few. All these beliefs had a biblical basis for Christians and any erring from the way was considered sin. We got it wrong. It is challenging, but nevertheless important for us to consider if our stand on same-sex-attraction is another one of these situations.

Considering that since the early 70’s the Psychiatric and Psychological Associations ceased believing that same-sex-attraction was an illness or the result of a dysfunctional uprbringing, it’s probably time for us in the church to have some informed and intelligent dialogue about the issue. Otherwise, we are going to look very stupid.

There is no longer a biblical basis for the exclusion of GLBT people once the six passages are looked at in the light of history, culture and going back to the original languages. The word “homosexual” did not appear in any English translation of the Bible until the Revised Standard Version in 1946. The Sodom and Gomorrah story had no reference to sexual sin till 90 AD……….just to mention a couple of things. What does become plain is that certain sexual acts are spoken against such as rape, prostitution, pederasty and sexual practices relating to idol worship. The bible never condemns same sex orientation as we know it today.

As I find myself constantly reminding people. “MY MORALITY IS A CHOICE, MY SEXUAL ORIENTATION HOWEVER ISN’T.”

Anthony Venn-Brown

Gay Ambassador & Author of ‘A Life of Unlearning’ Foreword by Hon. Michael Kirby.

Winner of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Association’s ‘Book of the Year’ 2004

You can download a PDF of this presentation HERE