The Unpopular Point of View

I first met Chad W. Thompson several months ago while attending one of his lectures at ASU. Chad recently wrote an article for Relevant Magazine — quite a good article at that — that compares the mutant theme in “X-Men” and the non-mutants desire to “cure” the mutants with the public attitudes generally surrounding homosexuality.

While I normally despise Christian articles or sermons that try to parallel or bring themes from pop culture (”Da Vinci Code,” constant analogies of “Superman” to Christ), Chad does bring up on paper some awesome points that occurred to me during the two most recent X-Men films as well.

His senitments are given added credibility that the parellel themes of X-Men and homosexuality were even mentioned by actor Sir Ian McKellan (Magneto in X-Men) at one point during a film festival.

So here I find my self at a bit of indecision. I have always been a bit intrigured, but then a bit suspicious, of Chad’s writings. Being a writer myself, I realize that writers are very seldom in the same mind-set in person as when they write their thoughts on paper, as was the case with our conversation in person and over the phone in Tempe. I am in no hurry to frown upon Chad, because I know he provides hope to several thousands, and there are plenty of other people in this debate to frown upon or even strike upon (Rev. Fred Phelps, to be one).

However Chad seems to imploy a certain philosphy among “ex-gays”, and that philosphy is that “what works for me, must also work for you.” Am I saying this because I did not go down the same path that Chad has? No, not at all. But nor would I ever say that my particular path in life is suitable for everyone. For example, I have a very dear friend in Kansas who is fighting through some issues, and I am there for him in support, but never would I impose my solutions in this problem on him, for the basic principle that *you* have to be happy with where you end up, *you* have to live with yourself, and *you* have to own those choices and their good and bad consequences.

I respect Chad immensely for the choices he has made, the route he is walking, and his undying commitment to our Lord and Savior. However I am at odds with his self-description of being an “ex-gay.” Being a non-practicing homosexual is one thing, being a celibate homosexual is one thing, but no, Chad, holiness and an understanding of Christ’s plans for your life does not turn you straight, you are merely clensed. I believe Christ can clense us, but it is very rarely in His will to fix us. These are two different things, please do not confuse the two.

Finally, many Christians out there and other “ex-gays” support Chad Thomspon immensely for his movement in the Church regarding this issue. However, Chad’s prescription for a homosexual cure through Christ implies that *all* Christian homosexuals must follow the similiar path and achieve similiar results.

This is not accurate. It also causes straight Christians to question the motives and actions of homosexuals who follow Christ yet come to a different conclusion — a different conclusion that an exclusive, monogomous relationship while maintaining worship and service to Christ are acceptable — to be viewed as lesser. Shall we be viewed as less? No. We worship the same God, serve the same God.

Chad and I share the same struggle. We share the same God. But we are different people. We have different purposes. We have reached different perspectives with our Creator on this very sensative issue.

Of Christian homosexual scribes, myself, Chad W. Thompson, Mel White, and Henry Nouwen have all come through various stages of our struggles with roughly the same emotions, but all with different conclusions that Christ has personally led us (and I must thank very open-minded Christian friends Brenden Roe, Jamie Mulhern, and Bradley Hathaway for leading me to these last two authors).

Please understand it is not any of our jobs to judge where the other has landed. It is not any of our jobs to tell you that one way is right. If one of us be wrong, if one of us be mocking the Savior we call upon, that will be brought to the light and I am confident that we will be judged accordingly. Do not be worried about our souls. Instead do what it is that you are called to do, and love, and serve, and be there for the ones who need it, lest you take the seat of God’s authority and assume the knowledge of a solution, and are forever sorry for your atrocities.