Sodom burning

By Corey Worrell | Thu, February 09, 2012 - 12:00 AM

“WITHOUT GOD AS THE SUPREME FOUNDATION for moral values, we are lost in a world of socio-cultural relativism.”

Unless one shares a biblical worldview, then the defining and establishment of moral values can only be determined by culture, the law and societal opinion, all of which can change at any time.

Since the comments by British Prime Minister David Cameron, the topic of homosexuality has become a major discussion point throughout Africa and the Caribbean.

Here in Barbados, politicians, schoolchildren, journalists, citizens and the church have and continue to share their opinions on the topic.

Last year, I wrote an article entitled Sexual Morality, which was published on Thursday, December 15. The Sunday night prior, during The People’s Business, I witnessed a sad and misleading representation of the Bible’s views on the topic of homosexuality. As a result, I felt led to write the article, in an effort to bring some clarity, truth and a biblical perspective on the topic.

You can consider today’s article as Part 2.

The Bible is clear that homosexuality is a sinful act and there are many passages that highlight this. Based on my reading, I have not seen once where the Bible supports or promotes violence, abuse or hate speech towards anyone because of their sexual orientation.

I believe our unkindness, disgust, ridicule and hate speech towards homosexuals has been primarily fuelled by Jamaican dancehall music and a lack of reading and understanding.

Many people share a belief, which is taught in some churches, that God hates homosexuals and use the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis, Chapters 18 and 19 to support their argument. For many years, I also shared this belief but through research I realized my errors. If you read, Ezekiel 16:49, 50 and Jude 1:7 you would realize that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because they were arrogant, selfish, perverted and sexually immoral, which would include homosexuality.

Last December, I was invited to participate in a discussion event on LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transvestites) issues in the Caribbean at the US Embassy here in Barbados. The event began with a discussion via video conference from Washington DC and when that was over, our local discussion began. The discussion was chaired by the charge d’affaires and seated at the table were journalists, columnists, radio DJs, representation from the LGBT community and members of the embassy.

The discussion was fruitful and the atmosphere was set that we could speak openly and freely which we all did. Initially I felt pressured since I was the only one who shared a biblical perspective on the topic and as a result, had to honestly and adequately represent the faith community.

During the discussion, it was communicated that LGBTs are being discriminated against through continuous violation of their human rights. On reviewing the 30 listed articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I communicated that in relation to LGBT’s, the only human right I do not support them receiving is Article 13 (1), which states:

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

I passionately shared that I did not support two people of the same sex getting married because it was ungodly.

The biblical concept of marriage and togetherness was defined based on relationship between a man and a woman.

After the discussion at the embassy, I spent many days in reflection about what was. During that time, I realized I was being unprincipled and hypocritical in regards to gays and marriage.

In one breath I was opposing gay marriage but in another supporting common law marriages. In the eyes of God, both are wrong and as a result, based on principle and scripture, I cannot support any.

The Bible states in Genesis 2:24, . . . “for this reason, a man will leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife.” Nowhere does it say he will leave and cleave onto his girlfriend or man.

• Corey Worrell is a former Commonwealth youth ambassador.