First it was considered a mental disorder. Then it was considered not a mental disorder. Now, considering it a mental disorder can be a criminal offense. We are talking, here, about homosexual behavior. Attitudes about this topic have radically changed over the years, to the point that now anyone who believes that there are only two genders, or that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, or that homosexual activity is a sin, is considered a bigot and a homophobe … and in some states subject to fines and other legal penalties.
Homosexuality is nothing new, of course. Records of homosexual behavior, and even acceptance of it, have even been found in writings dating back to antiquity. At the same time, it has also never been universally accepted. In fact, there have been times and places where it was, and is, actually outlawed, and those caught practicing it have been imprisoned and killed.
When it comes to the actual teachings of the Christian faith, there is a bit of a mixed bag. Nothing in Christian teaching suggests it is okay to kill, punish, or even hate homosexuals. In fact just the opposite. The Bible teaches that Christians are to love everyone. That said, it does not teach that homosexual behavior is acceptable – any more than any other kind of sexual behavior outside of the marriage between a man and a woman is acceptable.
People who genuinely know Christ and recognize that they have some kind of sin in their life will always work to eliminate it. That it a core belief of a biblical worldview. In fact, that is the Sanctification element of Christian salvation. It is the natural compulsion people feel from the Spirit of God when he enters and transforms their life.
That said, it is not always easy. Many people have lifelong habits or other internal emotional struggles that are very difficult to deal with. Thus, many people turn to other Christians for help in tackling these problems. This has also been the case for some who experience unwanted sexual urges – homosexual or otherwise. One of the places some of these people turn to is Christian psychologists – and some people actually find the help they are looking for.
However, in our modern politically correct society, this kind of help is looked upon by certain radical homosexual activists and their supporters as anathema. They despise having their sexual preference looked at as sin. And as they have gained a degree of political power in certain locales, they have created laws that actually ban professional psychologists from providing psychological counseling to homosexuals who desire to leave the homosexual lifestyle. In fact recently, a federal judge in Maryland upheld a legal ban on “talk therapy” for minors with unwanted same sex attraction or gender dysphoria (confusion about their sexuality). This same kind of law already exists in California and New Jersey.
Beyond the specific issue of whether or not homosexuality is sin, these kinds of laws pose serious problems in other areas. They encroach on parental rights and responsibilities. They suppress the free speech rights of psychologists. They turn the rule of law on its head. And they deny the freedom of conscience, and liberty in general, of those who wish to seek counseling to get help in this area.
All of these things not only run contrary to the principles of the United States Constitution, which is bad enough in itself, but also to Christian values and principles. As Christians, it is never okay to treat those who identify themselves as homosexual in a bad way. They deserve to experience the love of God through our lives as much as any other person. However, we also cannot set aside the principles of our Christian faith. People who struggle with bad habits, or other kinds of inclinations toward sin, need the transforming power of Christ to help them deal with it. And it is the calling of every Christian to share his transforming love with them.