Wednesday, June 11, 2003

Please permit one more response to Jeff Ellis's pain caused by the perceived lack of acceptance of his son's homosexuality. As a parent, my heart is deeply saddened by the pain the Ellis family is suffering. It is wonderful that the Ellises love their son unconditionally, as they should.

But, unconditional love does not mean blessing or endorsing whatever lifestyle our loved one chooses. Unconditional love means loving your son, despite his destructive behavior, not because of it.

By turning away from God's word and blessing their son's lifestyle, they are condemning their son to a possible death sentence. Jeffrey Satinover, M.D., writes in his book, "Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth," "...homosexual men are disproportionately vulnerable to a host of serious and sometimes fatal infections caused by the entry of feces into the bloodstream ... Because of their larger numbers of sexual partners and sexual practices such as anilingus and anal intercourse, homosexual men are at particularly high risk of acquiring hepatitis B, giardiasis, amebiasis, shigellosis, campylobacterosis, and anorectal infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus, and human papilloma viruses." Active homosexual men also suffer "...fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, foreign bodies, rectosigmoid tears, allergic proctitis, penile edema, chemical sinusitis, inhaled nitrite burns ... and AIDS."

If Dr. Satinover's words are offensive, try reading "And the Band Played On" by Randy Shilts, a practicing homosexual who died from AIDS. His writing describes the homosexual lifestyle in less medical terminology, but more horrific detail. Most of us would agree that such behavior is aberrant and perverse, whether committed by homosexuals or heterosexuals. There is nothing "normal" about it.

If my child were destroying him/herself by any number of wanton lifestyles, I would do everything in my power to set him/her free from what I believe leads to certain death. This is called love, not hate. As my brothers' keeper, should I do any less for any homosexual suffering from this sexual addiction?

Homosexuality is as forgivable as any other sin. The only prerequisite is confessing it, truly turning away from it, and asking God's forgiveness for it. At that instant, God forgives the sinner and He may, or may not, remove all homosexual desire and completely heal the person. As with Paul's nameless thorn, God frequently uses our weaknesses (our personal thorn) to help us grow in Him. This applies to all who truly seek redemption through His grace, whatever the sin.

If we are Christian, we should hate our sins, just as God does. Paul said, "I am not practicing what I would like to do, but am doing the very thing I hate ..." We are all sinners, but unlike many homosexuals, most of us do not revel or rejoice in our sins, much less expect, if not demand, that others endorse them.

It does not matter how many churches, politicians, states or countries agree with Mr. and Mrs. Ellis that homosexuality is perfectly normal. God's word does not change with the culture, the latest poll, or because the world says it is outdated. Those who are in Christ know in their innermost being through the Holy Spirit that all immoral lifestyles are sinful, because they inevitably help destroy the body, which He claims as His temple.

It is now forbidden to speak privately or even preach against homosexuality in Sweden, Canada, and some other countries. It is considered a hate crime. Christians in America will soon lose the right of free speech and religious freedom if we do not awaken and take a stand by supporting those who are fighting in the media and courts for our freedom. There are several organizations worthy of our prayers and financial support. I hope many reading this letter will join them, before it is too late.

May God have mercy on us all.

Cheryl B. Livingston

Fayetteville, Ga.