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A challenge to 'homosexual cure'
To the editor, I cannot let Tracey Lindsey's poorly articulated arguments concerning Christianity and the curing of homosexuality stand unchallenged. The offensive remarks were many, but I shall concentrate on three. First, while Christian belief, per se, may not have contributed to Matthew Shepard's death, the same cannot be said for some of those who preach "Christianity." Christianity, I was taught, promotes love and respect for all. And yet, while some who call themselves Christians continue to condemn homosexuality and homosexuals so blatantly, even to the point of justifying Matthew's death as the Rev. Phelps might as well have done, it is inevitable that some will interpret this as permission to seek out those who are different. My second point concerns the "change of mind" I need to assert to cure me of my homosexuality. Apparently Ms. Lindsey has discovered a way in which simply by trying really hard I can stop being gay, despite orientation being, at least in part, genetically caused. She compares my homosexuality to "someone with a gene for a mental disorder," who should also be able to change. In addition to demonstrating an ignorance of genetics, and an offensive lack of respect for those suffering from genetic mental ailments, Lindsey also seems unaware that the APA has not considered homosexuality a mental illness for 25 years. While not an expert in the field, it occurs to me that an equivalent "decision to change" something genetic might include wearing colored contact lenses. The color of my eyes will appear to have changed, but would not in fact have done so. Likewise, I could hide behind a heterosexual faŤade, but it would not make me straight. Lindsey comments that the Founding Fathers believed in Christian moral absolutes, and based their constitutional writing on these absolutes. This should come as no surprise, for they lived in a time when this nation was 99.8 percent Christian and they were writing as members of the ruling white male elite. Ms. Lindsey and like-minded individuals need to appreciate that the USA is no longer a land of absolutes, but a patchwork of cultures, ethnicities, religions and colors. Acknowledging that the constitution has been amended to reflect these societal changes, we must realize that we cannot return to the supposed "good old days," nor should we seek to do so. We need to live for today, and celebrate the diversity that is this country.
Nick Ray, Ph.D. student in higher education |
