In an article published in the Newsday on April 30, a number of religious leaders objected to the bid of a citizen of this country to hold public office. Their utterances and reasons for objection may prove to be misleading.
One religious leader referred to transsexuality as a lifestyle choice. Is this correct? To a large extent, people choose a lifestyle based on their personal values, preferences and general outlook. Does one choose not to be a heterosexual? Is sexual orientation a lifestyle? These are fundamental questions which religious leaders should probe and examine. If they do not, they will continue to mislead and close doors to good people who are just naturally different from what is perceived to be the norm. Scientific consensus tells us that sexual orientation is not a choice.
Another religious leader has indicated that "non-heterosexual relations are not morally and spiritually correct." Religious leaders often claim monopoly over the use of "morality" and "spirituality," But what do these words mean?
Morality has to do with proper behaviour which can be measured in terms of one's relationship and response to people and the environment. Morality seeks to draw a line between right and wrong action and pursues that which is right in a given context. Spirituality occupies a broad spectrum of meaning but is best defined as a way of life that is directed by the divine. This way of life has a positive outcome and impact on people and everything that surrounds them. How is being a non-heterosexual morally and spiritually incorrect?
The religious leader continued, "Non-heterosexuals however must be rehabilitated." This is based on the belief that non-heterosexuals suffer from a mental disorder and are in need of conversion therapy. But who really is in need of conversion therapy? Is it not the person in the pew or on the pulpit who lives a double life, hides behind prayers and hymns, smiles and hugs people while wearing a coat of indifference? Is it not the person who supports corruption and unethical behaviour once it is beneficial to him or her? So often religious people are in the business of converting others while they are the ones in need of conversion and rehabilitation.
In addition, according to the article, the pastor also said that he knows people who are openly gay and that he interacts with them and respects them. But how can he respect someone and at the same time not accept that person for who that person is when respect has to do with acknowledging the value of the other?
Yet another pastor insisted that, "We have a very strong international LGBT lobby in the world that is going against the principles as articulated in the Bible." What are the principles articulated in the Bible? We can go to the Bible and make a case for not eating pork or duck, catfish or lobsters. We can also go to the Bible and conclude that God is vengeful and at times likes to kill women and children. We can go to the Bible and make a case that a particular group of people, and not others, have been specially chosen by God. Thus, when we read the Bible and other religious books, we should not only look at what is written but by whom and why.
Religious leaders have the tendency to confuse what they believe with what they know, and there is a huge difference between the two. Whereas belief is determined in part by tradition, experience and knowledge, learning should never cease. If learning is a lifelong process then continuous change will become inevitable. And, an adjusted belief will now determine a transformed outlook.
Rev Elvis Elahie is a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of T&T and the former principal of St Andrew's Theological College.