On the far other side of the question are those who, claiming to be Christians, will picket the funerals of the victims of gay-bashing while shouting, "God hates fags!" They see homosexuality as an abomination and immediately condemn those who are victims of the temptation. Is this action biblical?

What is the Bible’s position? Has the Scripture, as some believe, changed in its view of homosexuality since the Lord died for our sins? Or has God Himself changed His mind since the Cross? And was Paul the victim of a guilty conscience for his own homosexual feelings? Did David and Jonathan have a gay relationship as the Metropolitan Church believes? Can you be a gay person and a good Christian? Does God make people homosexual–are they created that way? Does God make mistakes or did He create the person gay because He wants them to be gay? These are all questions that must be answered in a competent biblical understanding of the topic.

Are some people born with a genetic predisposition to homosexuality? Some Christians used to think that no human being was born with homosexual desires genetically "hard-wired" into their human psyche. Their thinking was that God would not allow an abomination to be born, one who was genetically sinful and therefore, their thinking was, "couldn’t help it." If we are genetically pre-disposed to sin, then we can’t help it and therefore shouldn’t be held responsible. If that were the case, Jesus’ death would have been pointless because we don’t "choose" to sin, it’s just how we’re wired.

Another point of view says that God does not create abominations and would never create someone with the compulsion to sin. Thus homosexuality must be "okay" in the eyes of the Lord and it’s nothing we need worry about.

As sincere as these points of view are, they are both wrong. First of all, latest scientific evidence suggests that in some people, such as prisoners, homosexuality is a choice. But in other people, there does seem to be a genetic predisposition towards homosexuality. This fact is not a threat to the Church or our understanding of the nature of God. He created mankind to be perfect. They would have lived forever in peace and purity if God had gotten His way. Unfortunately, humans got their grubby mitts on the process and corrupted themselves. Because of the Fall in the Garden of Eden, God’s perfect template or blueprint gets "smeared" even in the womb. God doesn’t "design" people to sin. But because of Adam our genetic compulsion to sin is hard-wired into us. But it’s not His fault or His doing; it’s ours. So what if some people are genetically pre-disposed to certain kinds of sin? My heritage includes Native American ancestors. I have always been told that Native Americans are genetically pre-disposed toward alcohol abuse. But a genetic predisposition to alcoholism does not compel you to take that first drink. In the same way, a genetic predisposition to homosexuality does not force you to jump into the wrong bed. The desire may be there, but that doesn’t mean you have to act on that desire. And more to the point, the pre-disposition does not absolve any of us from responsibility for committing the sin. I may be genetically tempted to steal, but that in no way forces me to stuff that first pair of sneakers in my bag and run for it. We are all born with a sin nature. But any given moment of sin is a choice. I know people who came from alcoholic families and may be predisposed, both in nature and in nurture, to become alcoholic themselves. And these people absolutely refuse to take a drink because they know the consequences of giving in to that sin. They have been teetotalers all their lives though they come from a background that would make drinking a very easy thing to do. Similarly, there are some Christians who are tempted to commit homosexual acts; but because of their obedience to the Lord they maintain celibate lifestyles so that their sin never comes to fruition. These people, and all those who are genetically predisposed to a certain sin and don’t commit it, are to be commended and supported. A former embezzler who repents and becomes a Christian should not be put in the position of temptation by being made his congregation’s treasurer. Similarly, a repentant non-practicing homosexual probably should not be made coach of the Christian school’s basketball team in order to avoid temptations that might present themselves in a locker room. But can such a person be a good Christian and a (repentant, non-practicing) homosexual? Most certainly! If God can forgive sin, and restore a person to fellowship with Him, then that person should be considered fully restored within the Church as well. We all are tempted to sin, even men training for the pastoral ministry. And we should not expect 100% sinlessness from them (though we should ask for it!) But if a man chooses to put away his desires for illicit sex of any kind, and serve in the ministry, he should be allowed. A gay pastor? Well, if he’s a non-practicing, celibate homosexual and knows that to act upon those feelings would be a sin, that’s no different than a pastor who daily crucifies the old sinful nature and puts away the temptation to steal, commit adultery, or eat too much. I have a friend who did just that. We’ll call him "Joe" for now. Joe used to be a male prostitute but gave up that life. He repented, came to the Cross of Christ, and was redeemed. He says that he struggles daily with old temptations, but that the Lord has been kind enough to give him the strength to resist. He is even married with a child! Joe’s wife knows about his past and helps him through the tough times. But thanks to the grace of God, he resists.

And for the record, those people who showed up at Matthew Shepherd's funeral with placards and pickets shouting "God hates fags" do not deserve to be called Christian. That was a teaching moment, and a moment to minister to the family, not to embarass God. These so-called "Christians" did that. I do not believe God likes or permits homosexuality--but He dang sure doesn't appreciate the violent spewing of loveless condemnation, either. These people were described by Paul: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keels no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:1-7) These people did not act with love when they could have, and possibly won souls to the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, when confronted with a tragic and unbiblical situation they chose to say, "Ha ha, told you so, he got what he deserved." Shamefully, they missed the opportunity to share the Gospel with people. Without love, as Paul says above, they were just making noise, not even helping the cause of Christ. In fact, the series Law & Order used this event ("ripped from the headlines," as the show says) to portray Christians as hateful fools instead of as loving people concerned for the human souls. Christians were bashed and made fun of, all because of the loveless actions of these people. They weren't kind, they were boastful, they were rude, angry, self-seeking and delighting in the opportunity to point out sin rather than bring someone to the Lord to take it away. May God not hold the rest of the Church of Jesus Christ responsible for the loveless actions of these people. While Scripture agrees with their position on the disapproval by God of homosexuality, they completely missed the New Testament message of going to the sinner with the Gospel, not a billy club. Have they showed up at the funeral of a Wall Street corporate pirate with placards reading "God hates greedy people?" Or "God hates adultery" at an adulterer's funeral? Or "God hates gluttons" at the funeral of an overweight person? Of course not. Those things would be wrong. So was what they did.