_STATEMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY_ by the Lutheran Church of Australia, 1975 Redistributed by permission by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod April 1977 Following the 1973 convention of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod referred to the CTCR Resolution 2-34 "To study Issues of Human Sexuality." This resolution requested "that a study on human sexuality be made by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations." In response to this referral, the CTCR based its Social Concerns Committee to study the issues of human sexuality. In the course of its study on this assignment, the committee was made aware of _A Statement on Homosexuality_, which had been distributed by the Lutheran Church of Australia, a church body with whom the Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod has enjoyed a warm and fraternal relationship. Upon the recommendation of its Social Concerns Committee, the CTCR is pleased to share this report with the pastors and teachers of the Synod. The Commission has read this statement and believes that it makes a worthy contribution to the discussion of a sensitive question. The Commission, noting that this report expresses the opinion of its authors, calls attention to the position of the Synod on this issue as stated in the 1973 Resolution 2-04 "To Declare Homophile Behavior Sinful." This resolution reads as follows: _WHEREAS_, God's Word clearly identifies homophile behavior as immoral, and condemns it (Lev.18:22, 20:13, and Rom. 1:24-27); and _WHEREAS_, The Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are to be proclaimed and applied to all conditions of mankind; therefore be it _Resolved_, That the Synod recognize homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful; and be it further _Resolved_, That the Synod urge that the Law and the Gospel of the Scriptures be applied to homophiles as appropriate with a view toward ministering the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus Christ to any and all sinners who are penitent. The Commission is making available the Lutheran Church of Australia's _A Statement on Homosexuality_ to the pastors and teachers of the Synod with the invitation to study it and to share reactions to it with the CTCR as it continues its study of the issues of human sexuality. Samuel H. Nafzger, Executive Secretary Commission on Theology and Church Relations The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. April 1977 A STATEMENT ON HOMOSEXUALITY _DEFINITION_ Homosexuality is a sexual propensity for a person or persons of one's own sex. In this statement a distinction will be drawn between propensity, an inclination or leaning towards, over which the individual has no control, and behavior, acts over which the individual is regarded as having control. The existence of a homosexual propensity does not necessarily lead to homosexual behavior. The term "homosexual" is used in two ways, corresponding to the difference between propensity and behavior. The context in all cases will make clear which particular meaning is intended or predominant. Homosexuals differ from one another in the extent to which they are aware of the homosexual propensity within themselves. There are cases of complete unawareness of the propensity, and the discovery of this propensity can come as a deep shock to the individual concerned. Because homosexuality is so difficult to define, Kinsey has developed a seven-point rating scale, by which the varying degrees of propensity can be rated from exclusive heterosexuality through bisexuality and on to exclusive homosexuality. _CAUSATION_ The factors which cause homosexual propensity are not well known. There is little or no evidence that it is an inherited condition, or that endocrine abnormalities are a decisive causative factor. Most evidence points to favors in the early development of the personality as the critical and determining cause for it, especially the interaction between parents and child in the first few years of the child's life. It is not believed that seduction by other homosexuals is a cause of homosexual propensity. Those who are bisexual are equally stimulated by members of both sexes and may seek sexual gratification from males and females. Homosexuality which manifests itself when people are deprived of members of the opposite sex (as in prisons or during wars) usually ceases when the circumstances alter. _TREATMENT_ Skilled counseling may be helpful, particularly to the young (under 35 years of age) and those who may have doubts about their sexual identity, because of passing homosexual feelings. There is little effective treatment for those who would be designated as exclusive homosexuals. Hormone treatment will not change the direction of the sexual drive, although it may lessen its intensity. Punishment does not result in change of propensity, although it may restrict overt behavior. As cooperation and motivation are needed for any change by therapeutic processes, legal sanctions are questionable, as they may be on other grounds. Offenses against minors call for similar legal restrictions as heterosexual offenses against minors. _PROBLEMS OF THE HOMOSEXUAL_ Due to social ignorance, the prevailing attitude toward homosexuality is negative. Many regard the individual having homosexual propensity as having made a deliberate choice in the matter . This results in social isolation and rejection. Those known or suspected of committing homosexual acts are liable to blackmail. This applies particularly to the male homosexual, and in many places there is legal discrimination. Accordingly, the homosexual quickly learns secrecy, shame, fear, guilt, and loneliness. If his homosexuality becomes known, he may be made to feel the hostile rejection of family and friends, employers, and even the church. The alienation of the homosexual from society, may cause him/her to seek friendship and sexual gratification with other homosexuals, and may result in short-term or promiscuous relationships. _THE CHURCH AND HOMOSEXUALITY_ In its assessment of, and attitude towards, homosexuality and homosexual behavior, the Church must, as in all matters, be guided by Holy Scripture. The available medical and psychological evidence must guide the Church in this assessment as it seeks to know God's will in His Word. God's Word is silent about homosexuality as a propensity. In view of this and in the light of medical and psychological evidence the Church may not condemn or judge homosexual propensity. Homosexuality is part of the mysterious disturbance and distortion that has entered God's creation and His created social structures. Like disease, it must be seen in the context of the Fall and the resultant intrusion of disruptive and abnormal forces which have upset and perverted God's original design. God's Word regards this disruption and perversion as a judgment of God on the whole of mankind so that in this sense all mankind is somehow involved. _THE CHURCH AND THE HOMOSEXUAL_ As in the case of pain and disease, the Christian homosexual should accept his homosexual propensity in obedience to God, bear his cross bravely, seek all possible professional help and pastoral aid, and in faith resist the strong temptation of rebelling and murmuring against God or of dismissing his life as pointless or senseless. God's will as expressed in His Word is, however clear in regard to homosexual behavior. Such behavior is against the will of God (Leviticus 18.22; 20.13; Romans 1.24 ff; 1 Corinthians 6.9, 1 Timothy 1.10), and hence it is sin. This imposes on the homosexual an extraordinary burden; as a Christian he must strive to practice abstinence. However he should remember that he shares his own burden with the similar burden of many others who for a variety of reasons are unable to marry and find sexual gratifications and he shares it with that of all Christians, for they all must strive to fulfill the divine commandment to lead a chaste and decent life. The homosexual should therefore not cease to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit who alone can empower us to do what is right and to refuse the wrong; what choice to make and what choice to reject. And he should pray for strength of will and an enlightened mind so that by the sanctifying power of the Spirit he may in faith follow the right way to the end. _PASTORAL DIRECTIVE_ The Church, while reputing on the one hand the movement which claims tolerance of homosexual behavior in the name of freedom of the individual and of moral progress, must also resist the popular reaction of persecution and ostracism. The Church must exhibit understanding and sympathy for the homosexual, show love and pastoral concern, being ready to give help and encouragement in whatever way possible. It must proclaim to homosexuals, as it does to all men, the judgment of God against sin, above all the forgiveness of sin for Christ's sake, and the possibility of a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit, and must assure them of complete acceptance into the people of God. A Statement of Homosexuality, formulated by its Commission on Social Questions was distributed publicly by the Lutheran Church of Australia in 1975. ______________________________________________________________ This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by Mark A. French and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary. 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