I had an interesting discussion with a friend yesterday about whether the decriminalisation of homosexual sex would be compatible with Christianity. She is a doctor involved in epidemiology (ie. the control of infectious dieases), a Christian, and a mother of two children including a son. She felt conflicted because her professional opinion is that the decriminalisation of homosexual sex may make it easier to educate men who have sex with men to engage in safer sex, thus controlling the spread of HIV. At the same time, decriminalisation appeared incompatible with her Christian beliefs. Finally, as a mother of a teenaged son, she was concerned that decriminalisation could make homosexual experimentation even more accessible to teenaged boys.
I could sense that she was deeply troubled.
I told her that I could appreciate the concerns which some conservatives may have in regard to decriminalisation being a slippery slope. It is one thing to leave people to do whatever they want in private; but quite another to have a mardi gras parade marching through your streets a few years later. Plus, decriminalisation could lead to further demands, such as adoption by gay couples, which I am personally not in favour of (if not opposed to, but we’ll leave that to another discussion since this will not materialise in Singapore anytime soon).
Unfortunately, the debate on homosexual sex, whether by conservatives or pro-gay activists, has seldom been objective. The ferocity with which some pro-gay activists have attacked conservative / traditional institutions and beliefs, sometimes with as much bias or malice as they accuse conservatives of harbouring, have given conservatives little assurance that their sensibilities (no matter how insensible or archaic) will be respected. These gay activists have done everyone - gay and straight - a huge disfavour in this regard. (See the unbelievably insensible discussion in response to an article on Mr Wang’s blog in this regard).
I also share her concerns about the greater possibility of homosexual experimentation. I might not lead a perfect life. I may be a murderer, a liar, a thief, an alcoholic, or a porn or sex addict, but I want my children to be none of these, and I want none of these negative influences in my children’s lives, such that they would have access to materials or opportunities which may encourage them to engage in them. To the extent that I view homosexual sex / experimentation as undesirable if not morally wrong, I would not want my children to have access to materials or opportunities which may influence them to engage in such experimentation.
The other view, which I think is just as valid, is that conservatives are being dogmatic at the expense of the spread of HIV. People - straight or gay - are going to have sex outside of faithful monogamous relationships whether or not fornication, adultery or homosexual sex are criminalised. Teenagers - straight or gay - are going to experiment with sex, heterosexual or homosexual, whether or not homosexual sex is criminalised.
The criminalisation of homosexual sex has not brought gay spas or bars to a halt. If there is no Nation party, then there’s always Zoukout; it’s not as if Zoukout is attended by only heterosexuals.
On balance, I’m inclined towards the position of decriminalisation. I believe this is not incompatible with the Christian faith. Christians are called to love their neighbours. If criminalisation of homosexual sex makes it very difficult (if not sometimes impossible) to openly educate homosexual men about engaging in safe sex (eg. use of condoms) or remaining faithful to their sex partners and the importance of HIV testing and getting treated (to delay the onset of AIDS), and to distribute prophylactics in gay hangouts, as a result of which many more people suffer and die from HIV / AIDS, then I think it would be loving and compassionate of Christians not to object to the decriminalisation of homosexual sex, without changing their message that homosexual sex falls short of Biblical standards of moral perfection.
Very unfortunately, while I’m approaching this issue from the perspective of Christian love and compassion, conservative Christians will slam this as selling out on fundamental principles. Pro-gay activitists, on the other hand, will proclaim victory over Christian fundamentalism. In truth it is neither.
——- Postscript ——-
To its shame, the church has not always led the way in demonstrating God’s love and grace in a visible and meaningful way to the imperfect society in which it is placed. Sometimes it lagged behind; other times it had to be dragged along by non-believers with greater visions and more honourable intentions.
To cite a few recent examples - The German church failed to stand up to the Third Reich. The American church was divided over the abolition of slavery and later the granting of civil rights to African-Americans.
The present debate on the decriminalisation of homosexual sex in Singapore presents the local church with a rare opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace in a visible way to the gay community. I don’t disagree with the view if the law is retained it will serve as a moral signal. But the alternative, perhaps more loving and possibly better position to adopt is that decriminalisation can help slow the scourge of HIV / AIDS, and the suffering that goes along with it. At the same time, its stand against other issues which pro-gay activists would argue should follow decriminalisation must remain firm - the church is not compromising on its beliefs, but acting in love.
