T*r*'
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Gays in the Church
A Different Baptist Approach: “Our Neighbors as
Ourselves”
The Olin T. Binkley Baptist Church in
Chapel Hill has long had the reputation
for being a bit non-traditional in its
preaching and practices. The church has,
for example, been integrated for many
years and has had a number of interracial
couples in its congregation who have, for
the most part, been accepted as members of
the church community.
The current pastor of the church, the
Reverend Robert Se5miour, continues this
non-traditional approach to controversial
issues in his preaching about homosexu
ality. He gave a sermon on the subject in
February of this year in which he pro
jected a tolerant, Christ-centered
approach to the subject.
In a recent interview with LAMBDA, Rev.
Seymour reflected on that sermon and the
subject of homosexuality. He pointed out
that many of the scriptural references
used to condemn homosexuality are highly
questionable as to their context; that is,
they are used without proper regard for
the whole setting of scripture in which
they occur. This has led to a fundamen
talist view which condemns homosexuality
as sin and the practicing homosexual as a
sinner. The homosexual is placed outside
of the Christian community.
Rev. Seymour’s view is that homosex
uality is not a sin but rather is "part of
the givenness of life."
Givenness is defined as the state of
being endowed by God with certain gifts.
Just as there are people who are left
handed or right handed, those with blue
eyes or black eyes, there are those of us
who are heterosexual and those who are
homosexual. Each of us has been "given"
our own particular sexual attributes as
part of our endowment from God.
He believes, further, that God has cre
ated humans to be both male and female—
meaning that each of us has attributes of
the opposite sex. Homosexuality, when
viewed within this context, can be con
sidered to be part of the creative work of
God.
Rev. Seymour believes that society, in
persecuting homosexuals, has afflicted
persons for a part of their personalities
over which they have no control. Addi
tionally he feels that society has imposed
a more stringent standard of morality on
gays than on heterosexuals. This comes
about when the condition for acceptance of
the homosexual as a person within the
Christian community is abstinence from
homosexual behavior. This double standard
stems from the view that homosexual
expression of love is a sin. Rev. Se5miour
rejects this view.
He says society is hypocritical to dis
miss gay persons as promiscuous and then
deny them the blessing and support of
society in establishing relationships in
which they can demonstrate love and com
mitment to another person.
Rev. Seymour has come to this belief
after many years of counseling and study.
He has held a number of seminars at his
church on homosexuality. Inevitably
afterwards he has been approached by
parishoners who either sought personal
counseling concerning their own homosex
uality or adivce in dealing with an
acquaintance who was gay. From this
experience Pastor Syemour has gained a
better understanding of the pervasiveness
of homosexuality within the church and
within the larger society. Within his own
church, he feels that the gay members are,
for the most part, accepted-and loved as
part of the beloved community of
believers.
In his sermon. Rev. Seymour described
the homosexual as neighbor. "When Christ
said that we ought to love our neighbor as
ourselves, he did not exclude anybody;
that includes everyone. The homosexual is
our neighbor. They are in every commun
ity. It is as simple as that."
The concept of "the neighbor" has many
significant social implications. First of
all the neighbor is to be loved—which
means, in part, that he or she is to be
treated as one would want one's self to be
treated. Second, the needs of the
neighbor—both spiritual and physical
needs—are to be met to the extent that
one is enabled to do so.
Pastor Seymour believes that it is part
of his mission to sensitize his fellow
clergy to the need for a more loving and
accepting approach toward the homosexual.
Currently many clergy are opposed to any
alteration in the traditional church's dim
view of homosexuality. However, a lively
debate is now brewing on the subject
within most major denominations. Rev.
Seymour believes that this debate may well
yield a more tolerant and accepting
approach toward the homosexual at the con
gregational level.
As for the future, he foresees a time
when homosexual relationships will be more
fully accepted within the church and the
larger society. Indeed, he believes we
are moving toward a time when unions
between homosexuals will be performed
within the sacred context, with societal
blessing and recognition.
In closing his sermon. Rev. Seymour
said, "I perceive that God shows no par
tiality, but in every sexual orientation
everyone who fears God and does what is
right is acceptable."
-Harold