Adventist Addresses U.N. Conference on Sexuality

[Gregory Matthews]

See:

https://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2016-06-29/adventist-perspective-sought-in-united-nations-dialogue-on-sexuality-and-religious-freedom/

[Gregory Matthews]

“Recognizing an individual’s freedom of choice in matters of sexuality does not equal endorsement, and it doesn’t dilute a Christian’s right to speak with moral clarity about God’s ideal for human relationships,” Diop said.

He said Christians have an additional responsibility based on the central Judeo-Christian belief that all human beings are created in God’s image. This responsibility, he said, is to recognize the stamp of the divine in every person and to extend to them the love and respect that Christ modeled in His relationships even with fallen humanity.

“What does that mean for Christians today when it comes to relating to those who have different beliefs about human sexuality?” Diop said. “It means saying ‘No’ to discrimination or any form of violence. It means demonstrating that people can believe differently, and be different, while sharing the same humanity; it means living in the common public space with respect for the dignity of every person; it means recognizing that each person has been granted the right — and responsibility—of freedom by their Creator.”  

Diop continued: “No person should be denied his or her humanity, however they use their freedom of choice. God has given human beings the prerogative to live, or not to live, according to God’s revealed standards. Violence, hate crimes, or self-hatred induced crimes such as the horrific one the world witnessed recently in Orlando are totally repugnant and barbaric.”

 

[Gregory Matthews]

This freedom, he said, means that Christians should be wary of trying to legislate their religious beliefs about sexuality, turning religious values into public policy that discriminates against or punishes those who reject specific religious teachings.

“In this debate, Christian churches and people of various religions or beliefs have to be clear about the real parameters of the debate,” Diop said. “The decision to legalize or criminalize belongs to the judicial courts and legislators.”