Is Homosexuality Sinful?

The two paragraphs below, taken from Richard Cohen's Winter 2005-2006 Newsletter ( www.ComingOutStraight.com ) are an excellent synopsis of JONAH's position and the position of many of our sister organizations in PATH, Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality ( www.pathinfo.org ). --Elaine Silodor Berk, Co-Director of JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives To Homosexuality)

"No one chooses to have same-sex attractions (SSA) as they are the result of many contributing factors. Actually, the underlying drive behind all SSA is one of reparation, to heal wounds and fulfill legitimate needs for love. Therefore, the drive represents a healthy need for bonding.

However, engaging in sexual activity will never fulfull the individuals's needs ( they may temporarily get what they want, but ultimately not what they need ). The reason is quite simple: the needs are those of a child searching for love with either his/her same-gender parent and/or same-gender peers. And children do not need sex. They just want to be loved. However, after adolescence, those unmet needs for secure attachment become eroticized. Again, if sexualized, those activities will thwart the fulfillment of the original need.

To say, "Homosexuality is sinful" is incorrect. The bible discusses heterosexual and homosexual acts that represent "sinful" behavior. However, having the desire itself is not "sinful," as it represents a reparative drive for healing. Therefore, when someone states, "Homosexuality is sinful," it lumps too many issues into one pot.

Also, it hurts the wounded struggler. She or he needs compassion without judgment. They need truth and facts about SSA. They need a door of hope for healing. Most of all, they need you to throw your arms around them and love without ceasing."

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