Homosexuality can be a factory-fitted option
opinion
Charles T Michaelson is an evangelical Christian. He loves to hate homosexuals, whom he considers are nothing but the sons and daughters of perdition.Four months ago, in March, he sent out a number of e-mails to the members of the largest Christian group in Columbia University, the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), criticising the University Chaplain for evangelising Columbians with, what he considers, 'the perverse gospel that homosexuality and Christianity are not incompatible'.
The IVCF chairperson complained against Michaelson. Following a disciplinary hearing, the latter was found to have harassed fellow students with 'hostile and abusive' e-mails, and hence, expelled from the university. These days, one can find Michaelson repeating Philippians 1:29 - supposedly he is suffering for Him.
Many say, no religion would ever accord a gay person all the rights and responsibilities that is deemed fundamental to every human being. I beg to differ. The story above refutes that claim. Religious people can, and do, accept homosexuals as part of the grand scheme, and do treat them as their equals.
Malaysia is different, of course: We even have laws banning homosexuality. Homosexuals are ridiculed and treated with contempt, When it comes to homosexuals, it is literally, anything goes.
This is sad. And I think, we participate in these abominable activities out of ignorance.
Not choice
In Malaysia, when we talk about homosexuality, we seldom, if ever, bring scientific knowledge into the discourse. In recent decades, science has made significant progress in this area, allowing us to comprehend reality better (in order to make better, informed moral choices). And it is unequivocal about this: homosexuality is inheritable.
In other words, human sexual orientation is akin to human handedness. At any one time, there are about eight percent of the human population who are left-handed (a minority trait); likewise, the percentage of gay person in the human population is about five percent.
Indeed, such a person may be prevented from becoming a gay, just like a person may be forced to stop using his left hand (perhaps by beating the living daylights out of the person while he is still very young).
It is, therefore, wrong to say that gay persons voluntarily choose to be gays. No, not all. They were partly created as such, as gays. It is part and parcel of the grand scheme of things (if there was such a thing). Now, should the society persecute gay persons, for something that isn't wholly their 'fault'?
There are some who see homosexuality as some sort of a defect, a sickness, which can be tolerated, but never treated as something normal. In their mind, since the homosexuals are defying their 'biological roles', they should, therefore, be considered as lesser human beings.
It is true that reproduction is necessary for human survival; but then, should we persecute all those who fail to breed (at least in the traditional sense)? After all, even many 'normal' people don't reproduce all - for various reasons. And, we don't consider them as sub-humans at all.
Proven their worth
Furthermore, gay persons have played prominent roles in shaping history. If not for these 'lesser human beings', it is uncertain if human civilisation would have ever attained this advanced stage.
Consider, for instance, a number of famous gays: Plato, Alexander the Great, Leonardo da Vinci, Lord Byron, Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, Alan Turing, and the list goes on.
It is clear that gay persons are neither abnormal, nor unproductive (worthless). They are minority community, true, but they certainly have proven their worth - over and over.
This logic, however, may not convince a person like Michaelson. Whatever the logic, a typical Michaelson may still advocate the condemnation of a gay person, and perhaps even blame (or give credit to) God for his actions. According to God's law, he may say, homosexuality is a sin, and therefore, should always be deemed immoral.
This is the tricky part. That might be true, but divine compassion demands that everyone must be treated as moral equals. Why then should we believe that God will not be merciful towards a gay person? After all a homosexual, too, is but His creation, partly designed by Him to be a gay!
Personal choices
So, what is the answer? Well, I am not sure. If there could exist people like Michaelson in the United States where individual rights are better recognised, where does that leave Malaysia?
Even Darwinism is yet to be introduced in our schools; not to mention other forms of unfair discriminations. As things stand now, asking homosexuals be treated as equals seems like a luxury.
Maybe someday when we are better informed, when most of us are ready to accept the notion that moral choices are something personal, better left to the individual to be wrestled with in his or her private spiritual domain, we can discuss if gay persons are indeed human beings.
ELANJELIAN VENUGOPAL recently graduated from Columbia University with a master's degree in international affairs. He currently resides in New York City, hoping to do his year-long practical training there before heading home.
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