Since When Does Criticizing Homosexuality

Require Therapy?

    The following story appeared in news media in late January 2007. The following portion quoted of this particular article was written by Associated Press television writer Lynn Elber:

"LOS ANGELES - Isaiah Washington, who does the healing as a doctor on ''Grey's Anatomy,'' is the patient now. He's in therapy for his use of an anti-gay slur against a castmate. 'With the support of my family and friends, I have begun counseling. I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again,' Washington said in a statement Wednesday. 'I appreciate the fact that I have been given this opportunity and I remain committed to transforming my negative actions into positive results, personally and professionally.' "

    Let me say at the beginning that I don't watch this program, nor do I know its stars. Enough about the show has been published and advertised to know that no child of God should view it. Neither do I know specifically what Mr. Washington said nor the attitude with which he said it. But I feel confident in saying that had Mr. Washington's comments been "anti-Christian" he would not now be a "patient" undergoing "therapy" and in need of "support" and "counseling." Violence and hatred toward homosexuals is never justified, but righteous anger is (Eph. 4:26).

    The effects that the "homosexual rights" movement has had on society cannot be overstated. This small but powerful minority has changed the way most American generally view homosexuality. Acceptance of it has pervaded the media for almost a generation now. Many public schools now teach "tolerance" of "alternate lifestyles." The corporate world offers "tolerance training" to its employees, especially if they have been heard to use a derogatory term to describe a homosexual. Many now believe that homosexuals are "born that way," and that they have been "victimized" by religious zealots for thousands of years. Yes, we should be angry at what the homosexual movement has done to our nation and culture!

    What is interesting is that not too long ago homosexuality was considered a mental illness. Notice the following statement on the American Psychiatric Association's website:

"The Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM (that's the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, dg) in 1973 after reviewing the evidence that it was not a mental disorder."

    So, in 1972 the psychiatric community considered homosexuals to have a mental disorder, but with one wave of the pen they were pronounced normal in 1973. And, today criticizing or expressing disgust at the "homosexual lifestyle" is a mental illness that requires therapy and counseling. Things have certainly changed (see Isa. 5:20).

    While man may be confused as to how to view homosexuality, God is not. It is, and always has been, a sin. The punishment under the Law of Moses was clear, "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." (Lev. 20:13). Paul lists homosexuality (Rom. 1:26,27) as a sin "deserving of death" (Rom. 1:32). And, Peter cites Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of those who would be punished on the day of judgment (2 Pet. 2:6-9).

    It is not the church's place to punish homosexuals, that will be left in the hands of God (Rom. 12:19). However, we can tell others what God says about it. If that's considered a mental disorder, so be it. The truth is that homosexuality can be repented of and corrected. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

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