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WEDN ES DAY , AU GU S T 09, 2006

On Being A Christian
I think many people are surprised to hear that I believe in God and that I am a Christian. I think this is because many assume that autism and belief in God are somehow incompatible. In fact other autistic writers, such as Temple Grandin, have written about their own spiritual beliefs and practices. I struggled for a long time with the concept of God - I wasn't interested in something that I could not see or hear or touch directly. As a teenager I began to read the writings of G. K. Chesterton, an early-20th century English journalist who wrote at length about his own journey into faith and defence of Christian ideas - and found myself gradually more and more receptive to the possibility of faith. I became a Christian at Christmas 2002, aged twenty-three. At that point in my life I had arrived at the conclusion that Christianity was true. Extremely challenging and puzzling concepts (for many if not most people) such as the Incarnation and the Trinity made a lot of sense to me. It seemed right that God would choose to come into the world, to reveal Himself to us, in a way that we could all of us relate to as a man among men, a human life lived like other lives: as a child, a worker, a friend, a teacher, a Son. In the Trinity there was the idea of God as being both a mystery and a reality that each person could in their own way relate to: the living, breathing personification of Love and of Relationship. God wasn't something unknowable or untouchable but a tangible presence: the idea of Trinity was something I could picture in some way in my head, and understand and accept. Faith isn't easy - but I consider it a blessing and a gift. Quite often, in sudden unconscious moments like an awakening, I realise that I am a member of the mystical body of Christ - something far bigger and greater than I can begin to comprehend, but nonetheless something in which I do not feel a stranger, but at home.
P O S TED B Y DAN IEL AT 11:32 AM

60 COM M E NTS:

Anonymous said... Daniel, next time you're at the library or have access to video documentary resources it would behoove you to absorb as much knowledge as possible on the rich gamut of primatology. Paying particular attention to apes and expecially pan paniscus chimpanzees. In addition, what study have you done with regard to time and the universe? As clever/gifted as you are the tenent remains 'the more you know, the less you know'. At 26, do you

really have a handle on earths macro/micro-context? Other questions: How do you reconcile your homosexuality with christianity? What parts of your bible do you consider rubbish? tim
12:04 AM

Anonymous said... I understand you are "gay" Daniel. How do you reconcile being a Christian with being "gay". Or is this not true?
10:54 AM

Daniel said... Hi Tim, Actually I'm 27. I don't claim to know everything or to be an expert in either science or religion. Not sure what you mean when you ask me to study primates and the age of the universe. I'm well aware that the universe has been calculated to be billions of years old and accept that without difficulty. I don't consider the Bible a guide to cosmology (or biology). The Bible is an extremely rich and complex work written over a long period of time by many different people. It's not light reading but it does capture the complexity - the highs and the lows - of what it is to be human. I'm not a literalist. Too often people read a book not as it is, but as they are. I like the teachings within the Gospels and try to follow them as best I can. Finally, I don't believe it incompatible to be both gay and christian. I know that there are a handful of texts within the Bible that condemn same-sex activity (as there are texts that condemn the eating of shellfish), but these are open to debate and shouldn't be read in isolation.
11:59 AM

Murray Ceff said... Contemporary mainstream Christianity (code for the Anglican Church and a few other protestant churches) seems to be very accepting of a homosexual lifestyle. This is probably one reason why the Anglican Church is in decline. The Churches that are growing are the ones that have a reasonably literal interpretation of the Scriptures.

Consider the first commandment that God gave to man (and woman) "Go forth and multiply". Practically impossible for homosexuals. Consider also God commanded us not to commit adultery (Old Testament) and fornication (New Testament). In other words, sexual union outside of marriage is not lawful in Gods eyes. Practicing homosexuals are attempting sexual union outside of marriage. I say "attempting sexual union" because it is not really possible. The sexual organs of the male and female are incomplete. The male needs the female organs and the female needs the male organs for sexual union to be complete. Oral sex, anal sex and masturbation are all an attempt at sexual union, without being complete (for obvious reasons). Two of my very good friends are homosexual. I am not homophobic. I just try to point out to my friends, (and you, Daniel) that homosexuality is not in keeping with Gods plan for man.
10:32 AM

Daniel said... Hi Murray, I wouldn't consider myself 'Anglican' and disagree anyway that Anglicanism is especially tolerant of homosexuality. You refer to a 'homosexual lifestyle' whilst the truth is that sexuality - either heterosexuality or homosexuality - is a fundamental, constitutive aspect of a person's identity. There is a very large amount of scientific evidence to support the idea that sexuality is fixed prenatally - in other words that both heterosexuality and homosexuality are inborn, and not chosen. I didn't choose to be gay in just the same way that I didn't choose to be blue-eyed or right-handed. Homosexuality is natural. It has been reported in many hundreds of species throughout nature, including dolphins, sheep, fruit bats, penguins, beetles, orangutans, bison, elephants and ostriches. It has a biological function, or else it would not be here. Child-rearing is time-expensive and difficult. Those who do not reproduce can help look after other members of the society. Many gay children care for their aging parents whilst their siblings are busy raising their own offspring. God did indeed tell Adam and Eve to 'go forth and multiply'. It does not follow however that the only permissible function of sexual union is reproduction. In the time of the Old Testament there was little settled belief on the possibility of an afterlife. Many people believed that one lived on only through one's heirs. Not having children was considered a curse, something to be avoided at all costs. In this context it is little surprise that homosexuality was considered

negatively. However in Isaiah God tells us that having children is not an essential part of becoming part of His family: '(Do not) let the eunuch say "Look, I am a dry tree." For God says "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths and choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, to them I will give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off."' Eunuchs were men were who incapable of having children. They were often castrated, but not always. Some scholars believe the word would have been used to describe gay men as well. In the New Testament Jesus says (regarding marriage between a man and a woman): 'Not to all men is this applicable, for there are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb...' Jesus did not say anything about homosexuality other, perhaps, then that gay men should not be made to marry women. Of course, I agree that cheating on one's spouse is wrong. Ultimately, we humans are made to crave intimacy with another. I do not believe that sexuality is meant for reproduction alone (or else it would be forbidden for couples past childbearing age). It is also an expression of mutual, experiential love and trust between the partners.
2:50 P M

zd said... A belief should not be debated, judged, disallowed or disapproved. I came to accept that my God is real for me through many things that have happened in my past, directly or indirectly regardless of good or bad. Something that I found was that once people start debating about things; it can get abstracted extremely quickly, simply because we are human (thats free will for you). Believe like a child and I can assure you, you can go to your heaven. Any religion has measures (Gods Way to clarify). [Try-to] Stick to it and feel guilty if you don't. Try not do make the same mistake twice. This to me has become a religion on its own. I am a Christian but I don't go to any church. I make an

effort to help (not hurt) anything or anyone where I can, pray daily to keep God in my mind and try to stick on the path as far as I can. That to me means Being A Christian.
10:17 AM

zd said... I think everyone is deliberately misinterpreting sexuality. And unfortunately Daniel I strongly disagree the fact that you stated sexuality is not there for only reproduction. It might be a very stimulating, intimate and pleasurable act indeed, but there is method behind that madness. An orgasm for example has a function - from a scientific point of view. We can learn a lot from nature you know...
6:55 AM

Daniel said... Dear Zd, I'm sorry to hear that you think sexuality is for reproduction only. Make sure to tell everyone past the age of 50 that they must desist from any sexual union, even within marriage. I agree that nature tells us a lot about sexuality - just look at the hundreds of species throughout the animal kingdom that have gay relationships, including the birds and the bees.
9:56 AM

Anonymous said... Hi Daniel, I found your site through the joys of hyperlinking, and your story and abilities are remarkable. However, I was even more delighted to find a smart gay Christian willing to speak out about his beliefs. While I agree wholeheartedly with your Biblical analysis and defense of your identity, I did want to challenge you to reconsider the idea that "heterosexuality and homosexuality are inborn not chosen." It seems like this dichotomy doesn't encompass people who become gay later in life or those who like both men and women. I believe that humans are born with no default sexual preference (i.e. even heterosexuality isn't "natural.") I would argue that choosing sexual partners and mates based on personality and personal preferences rather than gender alone allows human beings to form the most optimal social groups. Human genes are very complex, as are human social dynamics. Many possibilities may explain the range of human sexual behavior.

That said, you make great arguments about the decontextualized misinterpretation of the very few Biblical passages about homosexuality. Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement.
11:15 AM

Van!! said... Our minister at church presented a wonderful, sensitive talk yesterday entitled "Is God homophobic?" I was impressed with it and feel it captured the essence of the topic carefully and lovingly. Basicly, he said God does not approve of any sexual relationship (hetrosexual or homosexual) outside of a committed marriage relationship. While Jesus never mentioned homosexuality himself, several places in the old and new testament place people who practice homosexual union in a list with other unacceptable activities. No worse, no better. This underlines the truth that we all come to god as imperfect. We are all unclean by God's standards, and are in need of Jesus sacrifice to renew a relationship with God. To my understanding, this makes a tough standard for a gay person to follow, since marriage is defined biblicly as between a man and a woman. It would seem that a gay person would have to remain cellibate to avoid sin. Of course people who have committed some form of sin mke up a large part of the population (everybody) so I don't think it helps God's cause to point a finger at gays or gluttons or selfish people or murderers. I figure I have enough of a battle keeping my own life committed to God without worrying about railing on someone else's relationship -- other than as an encourager. So I encourage you to keep up the good work, I am excited by your strong voice and kind spirit. Van!!
7:54 P M

Chris said... Hello Daniel, I wish to thank you for this entry, I first learned of you from a CBS documentary today (Google is a powerful entity). I was captivated with the story, but was surprised and then relieved when they mentioned your partner. Being a Gay American and happily mated (as I've termed it) for two years, I was happy to see that someone I could relate to on the sexuality level was turning heads in the scientific community. When I stumbled across your blog, and found this entry -- it has changed me. I come from a family of strong beliefs, and my partner's family is as well. Where I am the long lost son to my ersatz

mother, my true mother only tolerates him because I have a prestigious job and decent income. For the longest time my mother pushed the topics that you have references about homosexuality being a sin, and your thoughts on the matter have (for lack of a better term) clicked with me. I see that in my ersatz family, their belief is strong but they are accepting and intelligent. Within my own family, they are shallow and ignorant. You have given me something to talk about with my confidant. Thank you, you've helped me understand a bit about my own family and trials by just being yourself. Have a wonderful day, kind sir. Chris, North Carolina USA
1:08 AM

Anonymous said... Hi Daniel, I saw you on "Sixty Minutes" this evening. I live in Altadena, California. I am gay and very happy to read your thoughtful responses to those who think it impossible to be both a Christian and gay. I told my father when I was eleven I thought I was gay. He said not to worry about it, that I was too young to know. At age eighteen, I "came out," but then became an "ex-gay" when I got "born again" at age 21. I was told that I couldn't be both gay and Christian. For sixteen years I was celibate, did missionary work in Majuro, Marshall Islands, and Tonala, Mexico, and finally at a mission agency in Pasadena, CA. My father encouraged me to accept myself as gay. I told him I didn't want to hear it and that I felt Satan was using him to tempt me. Finally, six years ago, after nearly marrying a woman which would have been disastrous for both of us, I accepted myself as gay. Both my parents are very accepting and one of my two sisters has come out as lesbian. I know I've used this space to tell my story, but I'm just really happy that you have faith in a loving God and that you love your partner mentioned in the "Sixty Minutes" program. You are my brother and I'm grateful. Sincerely, Brian Kraemer
4:19 AM

Anonymous said... Daniel, I just read the latest blog from someone representing the Summer Institute of Linguistics, the academic arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Several years ago, as an ex-gay, I went through their month-long training program as part of an application process to join their mission work. They were very kind to me, but told me that I could not be a missionary for them because I was "tempted homosexually." I had been celibate for over ten years at that time, but because I admitted that I was "tempted" to be gay, they had to deny me the privilege of working with them on the missionary field. I pointed out that even Jesus was "tempted in all ways as we, but was without sin," but that didn't change their policies. It would be just like God to entrust you, a gay man, with his message of love to an unreached people while so many contemporary Christians are unwilling to call us brother. I wish you well in all you do, Daniel. If you ever feel like emailing me directly, my email is linus_blanket_2001@yahoo.com. Your gay brother in Christ, Brian Kraemer
9:19 AM

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