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An Open Letter
to Those Who Engage in an “Alternative” Lifestyle
To
the regular readers of this column: We write so much against the
homosexual agenda, particularly as we fight to enact the Marriage
Amendment in Tennessee, I often become concerned that individuals
of that persuasion believe that Christians despise them and hold
them in utmost contempt. True Christians should never take a mean
spirited attitude toward anyone. Please allow me the opportunity,
in this instance, to write an “open letter” to those
of the homosexual persuasion in order that we might help them
to know that we want to lovingly lead them to a better life in
Christ.
To the individual in an alternative lifestyle: First of all let
me thank you for your attention to this letter. You are aware,
of course, that I do not share your point of view, so I owe you
my gratitude for reading my words. I also want to tell you that
I am aware that many people who endorse your point of view are
upstanding citizens, respected in their work and business. I promise
that I want to show you Christian kindness and respect as I write
to you. I have three intentions for writing this message to you:
(1) I would like to express concern for you regarding wrongs you
may have suffered, (2) I would like to carefully explain, in as
kind a manner as possible, why I believe that your lifestyle is
immoral, (3) I would like to demonstrate to you that it is truly
possible, by God’s help, for you to leave the lifestyle you
are in.
First, I acknowledge to you that I am aware that on a number of
occasions in America, those who engage in your lifestyle have
been mistreated, hated, slandered, and even physically attacked
and murdered. I am deeply sorry for that. It is evil and wicked
to hate anyone for any reason. Many such “Christians”
(if indeed, such people claim to be “Christian” who
did such things) will one day stand in judgment for the evil that
they perpetrated on those of your lifestyle. Yes, it is true that
I use the word “homosexuality” to describe your lifestyle,
but I never mean to belittle you in any way; it is simply used
for lack of a better word. I have known of a number of people
who lived according to your lifestyle who were suffering pain,
anguish, and guilt and their lives were anything but “gay”
so I simply cannot bring myself to use that word to describe you.
You may wish to tell me you are quite happy, but I believe, if
you were to be honest with yourself, you will find that deep in
your heart, you are tormented with guilt, unhappiness, and frustration,
believing that you feel ugly, cheated, and cheapened by life.
I believe that deep down, you also feel trapped believing there
is no way out. I promise you there is a way out. Please read on.
Second, I freely admit to you that I teach that your lifestyle
is sinful because I fully believe all the Bible. It is true that
there are many clergymen and other religious leaders who believe
one should not interpret the Bible so literally or strictly. It
is true that some call me a “bible thumper,” a “fundamentalist,”
and sometimes a “radical right-wing extremist,” but
I promise you my only desire is to live as faithfully according
to the teachings of Jesus Christ as possible, showing love to
all men and women. The Bible is all I have; by faith I believe
that every word in it is true. It has never failed me. Since the
Bible teaches that homosexuality is immoral (Genesis 19: 1-11;
Judges 19:16-21; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy
1:10, and other passages) I must urge you to understand that the
practice of your lifestyle is sinful in God’s sight. This
sin is no different from adultery, theft, murder, lying, or even
covetousness or gluttony in God’s sight. However, any sexual
sin is usually associated with dire consequences. When one practices
such sin with no desire to permanently stop (the desire to permanently
stop is called “repentance”), he or she, sooner or later,
will usually face grave social difficulties. The Bible even forbids
Christians from associating closely with anyone who openly practices
such sin without repentance (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Corinthians
6:14-18).
However, thirdly, I would like you to know that you can truly
be free from this alternative lifestyle. I welcome you to come
and talk with me and let me share Scripture with you and counsel
with you. You may say to me, “Preacher, you still don’t
understand! I can’t help being this way! I think God made
me this way!” I realize you may believe that, thinking such
leanings or urges you have are natural, or that you were born
that way because of your genetic structure. I beg you to consider
this: your urgings and desires are no different from that of the
alcoholic, the drug addict, or any other sexual addict, or even
one addicted to gambling. Yes, there may have been medical reports
suggesting genetic, hormonal, or other physical or medical influences
within people in such lifestyles, but psychosomatic tendencies
can work strong and real physical effects on the body. The bottom
line is that no gene has ever been discovered that promotes homosexuality.
On the other hand, no matter how strong your sinful and psychological
bondage is, you can be free. Many homosexuals have found full
peace, forgiveness, and newfound joy and freedom in Jesus Christ.
If you don’t believe me, get in touch. I will put you in
contact with someone who has gone through what you are going through
and will be glad to help you. In closing let me say to you, God
bless you. I love you in Christ Jesus, and whenever I meet someone
of your persuasion, I pray earnestly that God will care for you
and show you the terrible error you are trapped in, and free you
from its ugliness, as quickly as possible, so that you may come
to know true peace and happiness through Jesus Christ. “The
Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter
3:9)
It is my hope that the rest of us will understand why it is so
important that we go to the polls and vote “YES” for
the Marriage Amendment. To not declare marriage to be one man
and one woman would be to allow the propagation of a lie which
will continue to hurt and harm those who are caught in the trap
of the alternative lifestyle.
James Sanders
Pastor,
sandersjc@yahoo.com
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