by Sandi Crain

Created on: November 24, 2010   Last Updated: November 25, 2010

Although homosexual acts may be categorized as sinful,  homosexuality is not.  Sin, in Christianity, is not as cut and dry as laws legislated by the state.  The state simply defines acts as legal or illegal.  Christianity, however, strives for unconditional love, tolerance, and true justice.   The Seven Deadly Sins explains this quite well.

The Seven Deadly Sins (or the capital sins) are Pride, Avarice/Greed, Envy, Wrath/Anger, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth/Laziness.  Every one of these sins is based in selfishness, and once succumbed to, can easily lead to acts that are dangerous not only to the self but also to others.  Recently, the greed of some bankers has threatened to destroy the economy of the entire world.  Envy has led some American mothers to physically attack others over the newest toy.  Wrath often leads to murder. 

Homosexual acts can fall into the Lust category.  When a person's sexuality is out of control they cannot find satisfaction in healthy love-making and search for increasingly perverse ways to scratch their itch.  This typically leads to irresponsible behavior and the exploitation of others.  Heterosexuals who live lives of excess often engage in homosexual acts just for sexual variety.  This, according to Christianity, is a sin.

Homosexuality, however, is perfectly natural.  No two human beings are alike.  Scientifically, there are so many factors in creating a single human being that the combination of chemicals like hormones and chromosomes allow for many different types of people.  Spiritually, the existence of an eternal soul allows for innumerable individual goals and destinies.  It is not at all far-fetched to think that God would allow homosexuals to also seek and find grace. 

Natural homosexuals face many trials and tribulations that heterosexuals do not.  They are often shunned by family members and must learn how to function alone in a society in which they are treated harshly.  It takes an extreme amount of spiritual strength to not only find loving friends and a healthy love relationship in such a situation but also to learn to forgive those who have wronged them.  

The existence of homosexuality can also be a spiritual trial for heterosexuals.  When one feels offended by a homosexual in his or her life it is the perfect opportunity to squash that Pride or Wrath that is rearing its ugly head.  By recognizing that the sin comes from the self rather than from the homosexual then that person moves one step closer to grace. 

Sin, in Christianity, was never intended to be used as a way to judge others.  It is intended to be used as a way to improve the self.  When one or more of the Seven Deadly Sins is recognized in the self then a person can look to the Seven Contrary Virtues (humility, kindness, abstinence, chastity, patience,liberality,diligence) to heal that sinful behavior.  Once a person has eliminated all of the selfishness from their hearts they can then follow the path outlined in the Seven Heavenly Virtues which leads to grace.  All human beings willing to do the work can achieve grace. . . including homosexuals.   

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