By Reverend Stephen-Claude Hyatt,
Contributor
A FEW MONTHS ago, I published a column on homosexuality and the Church's response to same. Since that this time, I have been bombarded by several individuals who have been asking for proof that homosexuality is either right or wrong. In addition, several letters have been sent to The Youth Link Magazine, seeking an understanding of sexual orientation.
The concept of homosexuality has been around since the days of the Hebrew scripture, based on stories told and incidents recorded. During that time, individuals were instructed to abstain from that type of lifestyle. At times, the warning was more direct and serious, as the directive was given that such individuals should be put to death. In fact, the treatment for homosexuality was simple, if caught, they should be put to death. The concept of homosexuality then was not understood at all, nor was there any attempt to try and understand what may have caused these individuals to embrace such a lifestyle.
For years, scientists have been debating whether sexual orientation is as a result of "nature" or "nurture", or a combination of both. Several Psychoanalysts are convinced that sexual preference is chiefly, if not entirely, the result of early childhood experiences with parents. Sociologists have generally agreed that homosexual preference is a result of social influences outside the family circle or to various social learning experiences. However, other schools of thought hold that it may be hereditary.
Whereas I am in no way supporting the concept of homosexuality, based on my religious convictions and the lack of evidence either way, I am also not condemning anyone who seeks to live that lifestyle. What I am in support of, however, is an attempt to understand the cause of same with a view to correction, if that is at all possible. In this column, efforts will not be made to give definitive answers for the cause of homosexuality, or to debate whether or not it is a sin. On the contrary we will seek to examine the nature of this sexuality. What are some of the theories on its origin? Are these theories valid? Is it possible for individuals to be born with the predisposition to be homosexuals? What is the role of the Church in this issue?
Series
I am trusting that we will be able to have a productive discussion in the search for truth and understanding in this column. This is expected to be a series; therefore, I am suggesting that we leave our comments until the end of the series. The views I will be presenting are not all my own; however, I will state my views at the end of the series, based on the various theories.
A homosexual person is one who is said to be attracted sexually to someone of the same gender exclusively. Although society does not as a whole accept homosexuality, it is gaining more acceptance day by day. Homosexuals go through a period of emotional distress because they do not fit society's normal view of sexuality. Due to the fact that they do not fit the norm, most homosexuals go through a process called "coming out". This simply means telling other people close to them that they are homosexual.
It must be stated that a person should not be labelled homosexual simply because s/he is "butch" or effeminate, or because they are at a certain age and unmarried. Church members in particular are very guilty of this judgment, as they place labels on individuals, based on their standards. We must stop acting ignorant and realise that people set their priorities differently. Not because you had to marry so as not to sin by fornicating, it does not mean that another person is struggling with that. They may have set other goals which they want to accomplish before marriage, and that is perfectly fine. It is such a pity that some of you young married couples never set goals for yourselves before marriage.
Continue reading this column for the next few weeks, as we will seek to try and unravel this mystery.
Rev. Stephen-Claude Hyatt is a Minister of Religion and a guidance counsellor at Jamaica College.