Same Sex Relations and the Church

The current issue of Commonweal has an excellent exchange between Luke Timothy Johnson and Eve Tushnet on same sex relations. Johnson argues that slave owners had the better scriptural argument over the morality of slavery, but we now understand them to be morally wrong. He thinks that those who believe same sex relations are sinful have the better scriptural argument, but that the scripture should be rejected in favor of our experience and the continuing creative work of the living God. Eve Tushnet points to centuries of tradition and to the limitations of contemporary experience. She, a lesbian, eloquently argues that many have crosses to bear and that celibacy for her is a cross and a blessing.

 I do not agree that the condemnation of homosexuality in scripture takes into account what we now know about sexual orientation. I think it condemns certain forms of casual or exploitative sex. So I disagree with part of what Johnson says. I am much taken with the view of Tushnet for herself, but I do not think God demands celibacy of gays and lesbians in general. Jesus, of course, did not speak to the issue.

I am, of course, aware that the Vatican teaches otherwise. I do not agree with positions the Vatican has taken on many issues involving sexuality, women, and marriage.

I should say once again that when I think of the Church, I do not think of the Vatican. I think of Jesus, the Communion of Saints, the People of God. I pray for the Pope and the Bishops (for the difficulty of their task and in particular that they will be better servants of a pilgrim church, as we all do), but I also pray on many issues that the Church will not be lead by them.