rights case brought against two national
television stations, the annual staging of
Gay Pride week since 2015 and this year’s
international discussion on anti-sodomy
laws in the Commonwealth: “Intimate
Convictions.” These developments
have literally been challenging our value
systems and the cultural fiber of Jamaica.
Purpose and Structure
“Intimate Conviction: An international
conference examining the Church
and anti-sodomy laws across the
Commonwealth” was a landmark
event held on October 2017 at the
University of the West Indies Regional
Headquarters. The two-day event
boasted quite a few international clergy
persons and Human rights activists.
Very Rev. Fr. Sean Major-Campbell, the
host pastor for the event hoped that the
discussion will have everyone hearing
“perspectives that promote respectful
dialogue on the rugged landscape of
human sexuality and theology.” The
conference had three keynote addresses
by Most Rev. Dr. John Holder, the
Anglican Archbishop of the West Indies,
Justin Pettit, Commonwealth Secretariat
and Lord Anthony Gifford, Q.C.
The days saw six panel presentations
examini ng topics that included:
1. “The Anglican Church and
Decriminalisation (Global North
and South Perspective)”
2. Other
Churches
and
Decriminalisation (Global North
and South Perspective)
3. Gender, Decriminalisation and
the Church.
4. HIV, Decriminalisation and the
Church
5. Building an Ecumenical Dialogue
for Decriminalisation
Points Raised by Keynote
Addresses and Panelists
In Rev. Holder’s keynote address
he shared his sentiments regarding
anti-sodomy laws and how from his
theological studies he couldn’t find
biblical support for it. He reasoned from
the basis that “Yahweh’s use of human
sexuality is not bound by the laws of
biology and nature,” and referred to the
uncommon stories of Sarah, Jesus and
Samuel as being used for God’s glory.
He further went on to mention the
innocuous story of Ruth and Boaz and
posited that Ruth used her sexuality to
secure welfare for herself and Naomi.
When Ruth laid at Boaz’ feet (interpreted
to mean penis) the assumption is that
they had sex, while Boaz was intoxicated.
He says this use of sexuality was an
enactment of God’s will and has not
been condemned by readers but this
grace was not extended to the infamous
story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Rev. Holder reduced the sin of Sodom
and Gomorrah to inhospitality and
not the sexual lawlessness of the city,
therefore shaking the foundation of
anti-sodomy laws in Commonwealth
territories. He also went on to summarize
the warnings against homosexuality in
Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians
6 and 1 Timothy 1. He concluded that
the warnings were based on the survival
of the Jews in Babylon (procreation
purposes) and the survival of the
Church in Rome and Corinth versus
an actual warning against sin. In Lord
Gifford’s address he argued that the law
has no place in consenting adults’ private
sexual activity and the buggery act is
an overreaching step. Other recurring
points included inequality, gender fluidity
and arguing race and sexual orientation
as the same thing.
Matters of Concern
Throughout the day I was concerned
about the future state of this island and
the souls of these clergy persons who
were either practicing homosexuals or in
full support of it. I undoubtedly believe
that humans are to be respected, but
with even greater resolution I believe
our interaction with each other should
be prescribed by Scripture. The theme
of human rights policies was mentioned
so many times until it began to feel as
if these policies took precedence over
Scripture. Another concern I had was
how Christian truth seemed relative
rather than absolute. This perception
revealed itself in how many times the
terms “interfaith” and “ecumenicalism”
were mentioned and the attitude that
came along with it. It reflected this
inclusive view that your truth can
simultaneously be as true as my truth.
Jesus says in John 14:6 “I am the way,
the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered.
“Without me, no one can go to the
Father.” There are many variations to
this trend of contemporary relativism,
that I believe is very pervasive among
supporters of LGBTI and gender
fluidity groups, however the underlying
basis is that I can’t tell you that you’re
wrong because your self-expression is a
reflection of your truth.
I was also extremely troubled by how
compartmentalized the life of these
clergy persons sounded. The very nature
of true Christianity is that it invades every
aspect of your life, if I am a teacher, I
am first a Christian then a teacher. It
almost seemed as if their role as priests
and pastors was only a vocation and not
an extension of their Christian identity.
This was seen in how they quickly spoke
of the work they’ve done to help the
gay community but never really delved
into how they were able to reconcile
homosexuality with Scripture. There
was also an incomplete projection of
love, where if you love me you would let
me do what I want but they’ve failed to
recognize that love also does not rejoice
in iniquity. (1 Corinthians 13)
“Intimate Convictions,” has given
me more strategic points of focus in
intercession.
I invite everyone reading to join in prayer
for the Commonwealth of Nations. p
January - March 2018
By Jhonelle Grant
Youth Leader and
Freelance Writer
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