Charitable abstinence for gay Christians
By Samuel Leighton-Dore
In what must surely be a slap in the face to legit do-gooders the World over, Living Out, an organization which actively promotes lifelong sexual abstinence for gay Christians, has just been granted charity status.
“We believe both habitual homoerotic sexual activity without repentance and public promotion of such activity are inconsistent with faithful church membership.” A statement on the group’s website reads.
“We encourage evangelical congregations to welcome and accept sexually active lesbians and gay men. However, they should do so in the expectation that they, like all of us who are living outside God’s purposes, will come in due course to see the need to be transformed and live in accordance with biblical revelation and orthodox church teaching. We urge gentleness, patience and ongoing pastoral care during this process and after a person renounces same-sex sexual relations.”
Sounds sexy, right?
The move has understandably been slammed by many in the LGBTQ community; after all, the very definition of the word “charity” consistently connotes the act of giving, not taking away.
Going by the several video testimonials on the Living Out website, the so-called support group is simply offering the good-cop perspective to Gay Conversion Therapy; serving up hope and donuts (probably) to those stuck between their rocks and a hard place.
“Having same-sex attraction isn’t always easy, there are obviously desires that I don’t want to have and that at times can be very, very painful and frustrating,” says Sam, a sad-looking church pastor in Maidenhead, UK.
“There are times when being single isn’t much fun either, times when it would be nice to have my own family. But I’m convinced what the Bible says on this issue is good, because I’m convinced God is good, because Jesus has shown his goodness to me in his death and resurrection.” He continues, claiming that the sexual relationships he’s missing out on as a Christian man have been redelivered “one-hundred fold” through his relationship with Christ.
Will someone give this poor man a fucking hug? LOOK AT HIM!
Interestingly, others within the Christian community have undermined the message – saying the line between religion and charity shouldn’t be blurred.
“I don’t have a problem with churches preaching abstinence but this cocktail of views doesn’t sound like Christian charity; it sounds like Christian cruelty.” Said Chris Bryant, the shadow leader of the House of Commons, himself gay and an ex-priest – adding that religion shouldn’t be a “magic wand you can wave over charitable status.”
However, The Charity Commission is said to be satisfied that Living Out will continue to promote “acceptance, love, compassion and a welcoming place in the Christian church for same-sex attracted couples who wish to stay true to their Christian faith”.
Alrighty then.
We’ll be sitting in the corner as we watch this one play out.
