The ever reliable letter section of my local paper aired out the reaction of Christians who took exception to a somewhat snarky piece that ran a few days before in which one of the few liberal writers took to task the support groups who seek to assist gay youth to turn away from their homosexuality. The writer used the hot button term "pray the gay away, " and suggested that they shamed the kids in their care. She had a point, but could have approached it better without the cliche. (However, that is the phrase that more than one gay person I know have used to dismiss those who think it can be done)
One letter writer, part of a support group for the parents of gay children, stated that it is unfair to categorize all Christians as anti-gay. True that, I and my church are here to say. She also said that both she, her group and God, loved gay people.
However, she went on to say that they prayed for the children because they knew that this was not God's plan for them. Moreover, that we are all sinners, and God loves us all nonetheless. Here is the sticking point. Yes, we are all sinners. However, neither I nor the many gay young people of my acquaintance believe that the mere fact of their sexuality makes them sinners. They do not appreciate being prayed for because an essential part of who they are is "not in God's plan." They cannot belong to a church that thinks they are sinners for which sex they are attracted to. It is rather like saying "you are (fill in the blank--Black, blond, Asian, female, whatever) , but I can overlook that and love you as God loves you anyway" . And by the way, I will pray for you. Thanks, but no thanks.
She also spoke of the struggle that many of the gay children had with their sexuality , and likened it to the struggle of addicts with drugs and alcohol. Many may struggle with defining their sexuality, this is true. Some take a while to figure out where their sexual identity falls. However, she made clear that this was a struggle against a demon that some "conquered" and went on to hetrosexual marriages, and some who managed it by leading chaste lives. I suggest that some of those who struggle do so because they are told that their sexuality is a sin and against God's plan, and (obviously) distressing to the Christian family that loves them.
I cannot hope to change their minds, but I can hope to help them better understand why their more compassionate position is not perceived by gay youth as appreciably different from those who merely shake their fingers.
