Hi Robert-I,

For what it's worth, I thought the article was good (though, admittedly, I don't claim to understand all the theology presented).

I'd like to make a comment about the following:

The idea that there is a God's creation plan that both manufactures and then frustrates perfectly loving homosexual relations casts God as a hypocrite (love isn't really important despite all He says) and an exquisitely skilled torturer ("my number one value, love, which you treasure and desire by nature, will always be linked in you to an extremely strong, but detestable impulse, ha ha ha."). The supernatural being who could come up with such a supremely sadistic plan is not God.

If I'm understanding your perspective correctly, it seems to be based on a view that God specifically chooses to make some people heterosexual and others homosexual. And, therefore, in your view, the article portrays "god" as a sadistic torturer who gives people two incompatible impulses (love and homosexuality), almost as a game, just because he can.

I can see how one would reach that conclusion, if one starts from the premise that God specifically chooses to make some people homosexual. I just don't believe He does! Now, I have been taken to task for saying this before, so I'll address that argument: YES, I agree that, in some sense, God does "choose" to make some people homosexual by virtue of the fact the He allows it to happen, and He rarely (if ever) steps in to change such desires when we ask Him (even though He is perfectly capable of doing so). But, that's a far cry from saying that He specifically selects certain people to be gay (e.g. "Johnny, Jimmy, Pete, you're going to like girls. But Keith, you're going to like Johnny, Jimmy, and Pete -- let's see how you deal with that").

I believe God is much more "hands off" in the process that defines who we are (our characteristics, desires, etc). He has created a basic template for how everything is supposed to work in the "ideal" case: a man and woman have sex, conception takes place, a baby is born, baby grows into adulthood (all the while developing normal heterosexual desires and ways of relating to the world) ... and then the process repeats all over again (when "baby" finds a mate and has a baby of his own). Obviously it's a LOT more complicated than that (and that's the understatement of the century!), but that's the basic design. And it's an INCREDIBLE and WONDERFUL design! But, I think it's wrong to suggest that He micromanages every tiny detail of how every single human being turns out.

We live in a "fallen world". When sin entered in, so did sickness, disease, and brokenness. Though the overall "template" for human creation continues, it has not remained untouched by the fall. "Error" has been introduced. Babies are born sick. God allows it, but I don't believe it pleases Him that they have to suffer in that way. It's a consequence of the fall, and He has chosen (in His wisdom) to let it all play out. Same thing with homosexuality: It is not part of His high-level ("template") design for humanity; but because we live in a broken, fallen world, it does happen. And, though I don't believe it pleases Him that anyone should have to suffer with such desires (that are contrary to His high-level design), He allows it to happen. Rather than change our desires (or ensure that everyone is born heterosexual), He places a greater value on building Godly character in us THROUGH the suffering we have to endure. I think it is perfectly right for God to expect us to reject sinful desires (homosexuality), even though it goes against who we seem to be at a core level. It doesn't make Him sadistic, because, I believe, He is just as saddened by our broken desires as we are. But, "it is what it is", and He will use our brokenness to shape us (if we let Him) into the Godly men and women that He wants us to be (regardless of whether or not we are ever "healed" of our homosexuality in this lifetime).

No doubt I have probably expressed something badly, and will need to issue corrections later, but hopefully it all makes some sense. I hadn't meant to write more than a paragraph, but oh well..

Blessings,
Rainboy