Post by Rev. Jim Cunningham on Nov 19, 2008 3:29:46 GMT -5
Hi Brothers and Sisters,
As we all know, the Conservative Community has long been under the very false impression that homosexuals are child molesters. In a recent debate on this issue in my local Miami Herald newspaper, I found this wonderful commentary in the editorial section:
"A recent letter writer ['Church's problem isn't pedophelia, but homosexuality' Dec. 20th], repeats the absurd claim that 80% of the victims in the Catholic Church's child sex abuse scandal are male. This estimate, provided by the very bishops who got us into this mess, doesn't square with our experience. Almost half of the 6,000 members in our support groups across the country are female."
- David Clohessy, National Director,
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
In support of this editorial, I would quote the famous line to the Conservative Element in America that, "Those with an experience are not at the mercy of those with an arguement." Those with the experience of abuse have clearly refuted the arguements of the homophobes.
I am also one of those with the experience of abuse. I was molested by my uncle when I was a young boy. However, my uncle is (now) a happily married heterosexual husband and father of five. His abuse of me was prompted by his own abuse by his father (my grandfather). My uncle is not homosexual. That is, he is not attracted to males and would not have a relationship with a fellow adult male. I, on the other hand, am homosexual, and would never dream of sexual intimacy with a child, but only a fellow adult male.
Being both a homosexual AND a victim of child molestation, I am one of those with the experience. And my experience tells me that a child molester and a homosexual are about as different as a heterosexual is from a homosexual. While it is true that a child molester is, of human necessity, either a heterosexual or a homosexual in his adult sexuality, it is apparent that a child molester's ADULT sexuality has little, if any, bearing on sexual attraction to children. They appear to be separate and unique sexual identities.
But regardless of who is responsible for child molestations, whether they be heterosexuals or homosexuals, the fact is that we are all fallen creatures in a fallen world with fallen influences all around us every day. The more we cling to Christ our Savior, the more He will direct us, defend us, and protect us from ourselves and from the filth of the world around us. He is to be praised and glorified for this wondrous act of mercy. Let us pray that the Lord will bring healing to those caught up in child abuse, and peace to those who have been abused.
In Jesus of Nazareth,
Rev. Jim
As we all know, the Conservative Community has long been under the very false impression that homosexuals are child molesters. In a recent debate on this issue in my local Miami Herald newspaper, I found this wonderful commentary in the editorial section:
"A recent letter writer ['Church's problem isn't pedophelia, but homosexuality' Dec. 20th], repeats the absurd claim that 80% of the victims in the Catholic Church's child sex abuse scandal are male. This estimate, provided by the very bishops who got us into this mess, doesn't square with our experience. Almost half of the 6,000 members in our support groups across the country are female."
- David Clohessy, National Director,
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
In support of this editorial, I would quote the famous line to the Conservative Element in America that, "Those with an experience are not at the mercy of those with an arguement." Those with the experience of abuse have clearly refuted the arguements of the homophobes.
I am also one of those with the experience of abuse. I was molested by my uncle when I was a young boy. However, my uncle is (now) a happily married heterosexual husband and father of five. His abuse of me was prompted by his own abuse by his father (my grandfather). My uncle is not homosexual. That is, he is not attracted to males and would not have a relationship with a fellow adult male. I, on the other hand, am homosexual, and would never dream of sexual intimacy with a child, but only a fellow adult male.
Being both a homosexual AND a victim of child molestation, I am one of those with the experience. And my experience tells me that a child molester and a homosexual are about as different as a heterosexual is from a homosexual. While it is true that a child molester is, of human necessity, either a heterosexual or a homosexual in his adult sexuality, it is apparent that a child molester's ADULT sexuality has little, if any, bearing on sexual attraction to children. They appear to be separate and unique sexual identities.
But regardless of who is responsible for child molestations, whether they be heterosexuals or homosexuals, the fact is that we are all fallen creatures in a fallen world with fallen influences all around us every day. The more we cling to Christ our Savior, the more He will direct us, defend us, and protect us from ourselves and from the filth of the world around us. He is to be praised and glorified for this wondrous act of mercy. Let us pray that the Lord will bring healing to those caught up in child abuse, and peace to those who have been abused.
In Jesus of Nazareth,
Rev. Jim