Christian words to a homosexual Page: 9 of 11
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through his Son Jesus Christ. If it is not that,
then it is good for nothing and a disgrace to the
One it calls Lord.
Finally, some suggestions which may be of
help to those who know themselves to be, or
think that they may be, homosexual.
First, nobody should accept homosexuality or
heterosexuality without questioning it. It may
be that you are "going through a phase" rather
than that you are in fact a homosexual or a
heterosexual. Try to associate with persons of
the other sex. See if you enjoy their company,
get along with them, and come to like them-
maybe, even, come to love one of them. But
if you have done this and are convinced of your
sexual tendency, recognize it and accept it for
what it is. Do not be ashamed of yourself. If
there is nothing wrong about your being a
homosexual, there is nothing in it either which
makes you any better than a heterosexual; or
the converse. Facts are to be accepted, not
made an occasion for boasting nor for flaunting
oneself in the world.
Second, always remember that God loves
you, just as you are. Remember, too, that he
wants to help you become the very best sort
of homosexual possible, not to be cheap and
vulgar but to be conscientious and responsible.
Since you know God loves you, try to take part
in the life of some Christian church where that
love is proclaimed and where others try to live
by it. Christian worship and above all the regu-
lar receiving of the Holy Communion will be a
16great help to you-do not deny yourself the
privilege of taking part in them.
Third, strive always to be a responsible per-
son. This means that you will not try to make
other people homosexual, even if you could do
so. It means also that you will not put yourself
in positions where you will be too strongly
tempted to engage in activity that you feel is
an unsatisfactory substitute for real love. There
are many aspects of life where we can control
ourselves, since we are human beings who can
say "No" as well as "Yes." Christian faith,
prayer, worship, communion, will help to
strengthen you in this self-control.
Fourth, try to develop a close friendship
with someone you esteem and who cares for
you. Do not be afraid to do this. All close rela-
tionships can be dangerous, but that is no rea-
son that they should be avoided. It may be that
in this way you will find somebody whom you
can love and who can love you. That will be
a wonderful thing, uniting two lives in a rela-
tionship of real love. Do not push yourself
forward; nobody can ever make somebody love
him or her. Love is always a gift, for which we
are grateful; it is never a reward which we can
earn.
Fifth, about physical contacts. Here, Chris-
tian opinion is not unanimous these days. Some
say that in close relationships of a homosexual
type no contacts of any sort are permissible.
Others say that they are permissible provided
there is love such as we have described. You
will have to make up your own mind about this.
17
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Pittenger, Rev. Dr. W. Norman. Christian words to a homosexual, book, Date Unknown; Cincinnati, Ohio. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1787730/m1/9/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.