Sex, Sin, and the Church: The Dilemma of Homosexuality Author(s): Arthur K.

Berliner Reviewed work(s): Source: Journal of Religion and Health, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Summer, 1987), pp. 137-142 Published by: Springer Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27505916 . Accessed: 13/03/2012 15:07
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Journal

of Religion

and Health,

Vol.

26, No.

2, Summer

1987

Sex, Sin, Church:

and The

the Dilemma

of Homosexuality
ARTHUR K. BERLINER
between in this been the way blacks have treated A parallel is suggested ABSTRACT: A critique some people of the origins view homosexuality. of the homosexuality with the way are uniquely follows. and of the argument that homosexual persons pathological Though a negative to have played seems role in the past, the contemporary tradition deo-Christian a moral can generate in concert with force to help overcome other institutions, homophobia. country taboo the Ju church,

a document of two centuries British About ago a rebellious colony promulgated a The American historic Declaration of Independence asserted significance. . . ." To Jefferson, are created equal. truth: "That all men its "self-evident" to "certain unalienable it meant that each man was entitled author, principal in opportunity, which from God. All men were equal derived rights" equal be to the dignity of full personhood. But the social commu fore the law, entitled in part, on slave holding. Blacks were devoid of rights, chattel, nity was based, also were The European settlers surrounded merely property.1 by Indians were was considered Jefferson who, by Old World savages. When standards, in his society, he resolved with these obvious confronted the disso inequalities nance by suggesting that only science could find the answer. to find answers, The new "science" of anthropology hastened bibli checking cal sources and data from medical lore and natural history. The effort has been ex in William The Leopard's described Stanton's contemporary Spots.2 Some were into several divided from perts held that humans species, descending to blacks, the highest, white Europeans, the lowest. Another decided that the Indian was a lower order of human because life tended to regress in America. that the brains of blacks developed Still another only as far as those suggested a whites. of seven-months-old And Jefferson's Dr. Benjamin friend, Rush, of Independence, maintained that the dark skin of signer of the Declaration from a form of endemic blacks stemmed could be cured, leprosy. If the "disease" blacks would attain both equality with whites and happiness. The latter out come would since blacks would prefer to be white. follow, he averred, Rush's view of two centuries into the present, for the argu ago resonates ment is frequently made that homosexuals would rather be heterosexuals. Sci
K. Berliner, Arthur is Associate Professor and Director Ph.D., ACSW, This paper Christian is based on a presentation gram at Texas University. of the Association for the Scientific of Religion: Dallas, Southwest, Study of the Social Work Pro to the annual meeting March 1986. Texas, of Religion and Health

137

1987 Institutes

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the causes of homosexuality; then again be called upon to unearth to "cures." There has been no lack of suggested can submit ap conver to religious shots to aversion to cures, from hormone therapy, proaches of the Oedipus has been tabooed, sion, to resolution complex. Homosexuality that taboo. and science legitimates It developed The taboo has its origin in our Judeo-Christian heritage. during when the Hebrews the great period of Jewish undid their existing nationalism, as natu had regarded cultural homosexual behavior norms, which previously The Jews, So had their neighbors. like the Canaanites ral and acceptable. and to homosexual had imparted acts through Chaldeans, religious significance the use of male homosexual temple prostitutes. homosexuals the Jewish tribes were their early nationalistic small and During period, Survival surrounded upon rapid popu depended by large, powerful neighbors. can account lation growth. This of their sexual for the transformation atti tudes and the decision to taboo the expression of homosexuality, birth control, was equated with and other nonreproductive sexual acts. Homosexuality idol and penalized death. the early years of Later, atry, proscribed, by during with Paul linked homosexual behavior in this case "outsiders," Christianity, the Greeks and Romans. and unor By the thirteenth century homosexuality so closely related that a single English had become thodoxy word, ''buggery," to both heresy and sodomy. During both the Catholic and applied inquisition were the Protestant witch "heretic" and "sodomist" hunts, interchangeable may be found in charges. One charge counterpart implied the other. A modern the late Senator McCarthy's association of homosexuals with the new heretics, the Communists. like heresy, was a religious until Henry VIII took offense, Homosexuality, over the church and made a separate a felony carrying civil infraction, sodomy sentence. the death Since then the sentence has been mitigated but the act re a crime in England, mains and the United States Supreme Court recently reaf firmed of the Texas the constitutionality sodomy statute. Since of Oscar Wilde the 1895 imprisonment for homosexual the offenses, debate has been joined over whether has the right to impose its con religion At least since the rise of the utilitarian cept of "sin" on the entire population. of law, there has been some question whether the state has the right concept to legislate and to judge the private consensual behavior of private morality adults. this has led to the questioning of the sodomy laws. Quite logically, to social inertia, the influence of the religious Thanks, however, right, the am bivalence of the medical and the timidity of mainstream profession, religion, an essentially remains sexual orientation. homosexuality unacceptable A still powerful and philosophical convention The Judeo religious persists. Christian tradition has consistently held that the sex act is intended for pro creation. Thus only heterosexual is proper. activity Thomas Szasz has written that criteria for and definitions of persuasively mental reflect community mores more health than they do objective, immuta ble standards.3 the Golden of Greece, the widespread, amidst During Age bisexual the healers should of the time have apparently prevailing patterns, made to "adjust" heterosexual efforts to bisexuality males in furtherance of
"normalcy"?

ence must

Arthur

K.

Berliner

139

the norms of human behavior of appropriate standards If community provide a person in Nazi Germany to his Jewish faith then mental health, clinging in South Africa dissidents the contemporary would have been "sick." So would to overturn apartheid. seeking about sexual inmost of us anxiety The Judeo-Christian cultivates tradition to assess these mat its forms, and medical who are supposed experts, ity in all until are just as vulnerable to distorted views as are the laity. Moreover, ters, were based upon pa most of homosexuality the last couple of decades, studies troubled that is, emotionally tient groups, persons. This calls to mind Dr. Er to a doctor who claimed all his homosexual nest van der Haag's pa response Doctor." tients were sick: "So are all my heterosexual patients, has been abetted by the psy of homosexuality The Judeo-Christian rejection on psychological the study of factors) which plagues chologism (overemphasis is seen as either a its alleged nature, Thus, homosexuality, by homosexuality. is impli of such illness. Emotional disturbance illness or symptomatic mental of stud is too sweeping. A number but the generalization cated in many cases, who are not emotionally disturbed. ies show that there are many homosexuals to demonstrate that homo is one healthy homosexual And all it really takes is not a sickness. sexuality refuted the classic U.C.L.A. study which Evelyn Hooker made psychologist not in of homosexuality.4 She located thirty homosexuals the disease concept who them with the same sized group of heterosexuals treatment and matched were All sixty were in age, I.Q., and education. similar psychological given was obtained. on their life histories Test results were tests, and information to dis It was clinicians. blind by skilled and experienced impossible analyzed the inescapable reached of the two groups. Hooker criminate among members orienta homosexual connection existed between conclusion that no inherent as a clinical does not disturbance. tion and emotional entity Homosexuality a deviation in the sexual pattern which lies exist. Homosexuality represents These findings have been verified within the normal range, psychologically. by studies. subsequent a "moral equiv inWestern the concept of sin lost its vitality When thought, and "sinful" behav alent" had to be found. The medical model was substituted, real distorts The disease "sick" behavior. ior became concept of homosexuality we must a complex nevertheless, phenomenon; ity through oversimplifying between and psy there are, indeed, connections homosexuality has contributed The psychoanalytic theory of homosexuality chopathology. a homosexual into how some people develop orientation.5 insights compelling like heterosexual must be learned, and homosexuality, behavior Most human for each orientation, lies within hu however, ity, can be learned. The potential man biology. Much to be learned about how humans learn a particu remains But we do know that in humans of sexual response. lar pattern learning has in is why we are preeminently creatures That instinct. of large part replaced recognize that
culture.

in homosexuals of the apparent Much may stem not from inherent pathology or developmental sources. Whenever it distortions but from cultural biological to deny the very existence has been unable attitude of homosexuality, society's one. Whether has rather consistently toward homosexuals de been a hostile

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nial

as the prevailing or rejection the effects are far-reach attitude, operates of the existing in is thrust upon him because community ing. Anonymity man to live with in dignity homosexual For a male another and tolerance. and family ties. In some cases ca openness job, friendships, jeopardize might reers would social attitudes be on the line; in some places punitive reflect and are backed by the penal code. Candor about one's sexual orientation could risk

one's very liberty. In an equally affects the homosexual's destructive self way social hostility as arising CH. formation described from a "look Cooley identity conception. ing glass self."6 How one is treated by others helps one to derive a sense of self. The view of self is a favorable one, or the reverse, upon what has depending of groups been reflected back from others. Many members discrimi suffering or persecution nation attitudes these negative and carry a burden incorporate of self-hatred their lives. Some homosexuals believe the negative throughout as queer, bad, dirty, themselves inferior. And such homo stereotypes, viewing view their partners sexuals in the same light. This makes stable personal rela James Baldwin describes this problem with very difficult. tionships great in his novel, Giovanni's Room.1 poignancy

Where

do we go from

here?

as we now know, are not immutable. Societal And here the influence attitudes, can be of immense of religion benefit. to exert a continues Religion positive its instrument, force. Were the churches, to sanction legitimating powerful occur. First, however, institutionalized surely would change, change religion must rid itself of some antiquated male which concerning baggage superiority it has been ment gem: For a man
man. For the man

lugging

around

for millenia.

Consider

the

following

New

Testa

...

is the image and glory of God; but the woman

is not for the of the woman; but but the woman the woman for of woman; the man.8

is the glory of the

Neither was

the man created

the man.

Or the morning ... Blessed

woman.

prayer

of the Orthodox

Jew: of the Universe, that Iwas not born a

art Thou, O Lord our God, King

Not

to be outdone, are superior

preeminence.

the Koran, to women

the sacred on account

text of Islam,

asserts: in which God has given

Men
them

of the qualities

a deathbed To round out this litany, let us attend utterance attributed that fount of inspiration for so much of Christian Plato. theology, Steeped of a male-dominated the traditions he thanked the gods society, reputedly a man, free, and in the time of Socrates. had been born Greek,

to in he

Arthur

K.

Berliner

141

the citations above do not represent final Fortunately, organized religion's on human The United Church in the United sexuality. judgment Presbyterian issued a report on Sexuality and the Human States The report, Community. in 1970, stated: the church's General ratified by Assembly The God who would
has New sexual vested Testament behavior. human

overcome
with

our alienation
far more than of Jesus'

from Himself
procreative

and from
significance. most for

each other
. . . The matters of ex

sexuality no contains It would be

record proper

teachings to assume that

concerning his concern

particular

pressions
injure

of human

sexuality would have been based on the way they might

. . . Indeed, our Lord condemned more strongly

serve or
those

human

communion.

who misused each other, grinding down the poor, climbing over each other's rights and the like, than he did the sexually miscreant.9 (Emphasis added) Other denominations also have acted in behalf of homosexuals' rights. One a be cited. The Unitarian Universalist Association has operated office since 1974. The Unitarian has been stated thus: position does not just tolerate gays and lesbians, it affirms each Universalism has been committed to work sexual truth. Since 1975 the denomination
equal human rights for sexual minorities. Its ministers are encour

example may "Gay Affairs" Unitarian person's

ing toward

aged to officiate at gay and lesbian Services of Union. and homophobia help destroy myths, misinformation
ness in Unitarian Universalist congregations and in the

Its educational and help raise

community.10

programs conscious

in this paper is not esoteric. It is at The information that has been presented in ascertaining the facts. In alli the disposal interested of any religious group ance with can fur if not as pacesetters, the churches other social institutions, to a and selfhood of the ten percent who march ther the dignity of Americans different sexual drummer. in bringing Not only does the The difficulties this to fruition are formidable. seem determined to impose its definition national administration of present seems in accord. sexual morality, but popular sentiment among churchgoers . . . of the general "Three fourths that attend church weekly population disap The rejection be based of homosexuals in a of [homosexuality]."11 may prove sees them as seducers which of youth. Or it and corrupters popular mythology stem from individuals' of deep uncertainties about their own may problems are perceived as "dangerous," sexual Thus homosexuals and society is identity. or isolating in punishing them. justified can reflect popular or they can lead it. Championing Churches the opinion, an activity as efforts to eliminate civil rights of homosexuals is as appropriate on the basis of race or religion. The church discrimination is supposed to op in any form. of humans pose oppression by humans If the church in its Protestant or Jewish forms) favors an ethic (particularly and responsibility, of personal it must the least re autonomy support logically strictive toward adults. This would attitude social be be so even when adult no havior may to some, so long as this behavior be morally offensive harms

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one. Thus, all non-exploitive as legitimate.

sexual

orientations

should

be church-sanctioned

The precedents exist. The two I cite derive, already enough, interestingly sources. The first stems from a 1928 decision of the United from secular States Court, enunciated by the great Louis D. Brandeis: Supreme They [the framers of the Constitution] right to be let alone ... the right most conferred, as against the government, valued by civilized men.12 the

The second comes from England, where the Wolfenden of 1957 criti Report as a disease cized the view of homosexuality and proposed "that homosexual in private behavior between should no longer be a criminal adults consenting are offense."13 This report also avers that "private morality and immorality" was one mistake of the Middle else's business.14 The Inquisition nobody Ages act for the church to pre It would be a redemptive the church need not repeat. vent the state from repeating the church's error. is required of affirmative action of the churches. to It is not enough tolerance. The churches and should, in concert with other groups, can, preach to eradicate work actively laws. They should not merely admit discriminatory to membership in their congregations, homosexuals but actively seek such as an anachronism The gay church may then disappear, members. belonging a segregated to a time when church was acceptable. over and trying to "help" The time is overdue when we should stop praying homosexuals. the church can be a moral force for bringing Instead, together form can of all sexual The heterosexual people persuasions. majority an enhanced to respect from a joint communion: capacity diversity firm the fundamental to social justice. commitment religious learn much and to af A

References
as a group, 1. The founding deemed it self-evident that women, in fathers, too, were apparently ferior beings. to "remember Adams John her husband in for the ladies" Abigail importuned the new it took the fifteenth of fact, edi (and latest) laws, but in vain. As a matter mulating tion of Bartlett's in 1855), Familiar (first published before Mrs. Adams and her Quotations ideas even made notable it into the book (1980 edition). 2. Stanton, of Chicago 1960. W., The Leopard's Press, Spots. University Chicago, 3. Szasz, T., The Myth Illness. New York, Hoeber-Harper, 1961. of Mental 4. Hooker, in Psychiatric E., quoted 1967, 31-32. 4, 3, June Opinion Quarterly, 5. Fenichel, New York, W.W. 1945. O., The Psychoanalytic Norton, Theory of Neuroses. 6. Cooley, and the Social Nature Order. Glencoe, 1956. C.H., Human 111., Free Press, 7. Baldwin, Room. New York, Dial Press, 1956. J., Giovanni's 8. I Corinthians 11:7-9. 9. United in the U.S., Sexuality Church and the Human 1970. Presbyterian Community, 10. Scalcione-Conti, and Gay Rights: Unitarian Universalism. D., ed., A Voice for Lesbian Boston, UUA Commission 1986. Pamphlet (unpaginated), February 11. Largey, Catholic (National Re G-, and Taft, L., National 24,1975 Reporter, January Opinion search National Data). Center, Sampling vs. United 12. Olmstead 277, US 438, 478 (1928). States, 13. 14. Quoted Ibid. in Szasz, T., Law, Liberty and Psychiatry. New York, MacMillan, 1968, p. 249.