Homosexuality and marriage

Today I want to write about homosexuality in America. On January 23 I wrote about Gayle Haggard, and asked you, my much appreciated readers, if you thought I was being naive in believing Mrs. Haggard's story. Today she was a guest on the talk radio show in Denver that originally brought to light Mr. Haggard's long time relationship with a male prostitute. Today Mrs. Haggard revealed that her husband was molested as a second grader, and, as a result, later developed compulsive thoughts about having sex with men.

Peter Boyles, the host of the talk radio show, believes our sexuality is wired genetically. On the other hand, trauma that we experience in our childhood certainly can produce compulsions that may continue through a person's lifetime.

Relevant to this discussion is the fact that Ted Olson has written a very important piece in the January 18 issue of Newsweek. Olson, you may remember, was the attorney who won Bush v. Gore, and his conservative credentials are impeccable. You may also remember that his beloved wife was one of those who perished aboard one of the airplanes on 09-11-2001. Olson argues very persuasively the case for gay marriage. He is one of the lead attorneys seeking to overturn Prop 8 in California.

Why have Christians tolerated prejudice against gays? The most virulent prejudice in America today is the anti-gay prejudice among children, many of whom are children of Christian parents. Children who call other children "gay" would never even think to use the "n" word. The worst epithet they can think of is "gay."

Olson writes that "conservatives and liberals alike need to come together on principles that surely unite us. Certainly, we can agree on the value of strong families, lasting domestic relationships, and communities populated by persons with recognized and sanctioned bonds to one another." There is much more in Olson's argument. I recommend it.