MCC Condemns Gene Manipulation Rhetoric

PUBLIC STATEMENT from Metropolitan Community Churches

Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches Confronts Leading Baptist's Proposal forGay Gene Manipulation of Unborn Children

Editor's Note: The Reverend R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a long-time leader in the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, suggested he would support medical treatment to change the sexual orientation of a fetus inside its mother's womb from homosexual to heterosexual, if such treatment were available. Mohler floated the idea in his blog on March 2, 2007.

STATEMENT BYThe Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

REMARKS:
I read with horror the recent article by The Reverend R. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, entitled "Is Your Baby Gay? What if You Could Know? What if You Could Do Something about It?" Generally we say someone or something has added "insult to injury." But Rev. Mohler has, I believe, done genuine harm to countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT) who will read or be mistreated because of his words.

And his rhetoric has accomplished something else: It is an affront to the God-given quest to tear down the walls of separation between communions of the faith and create a future with hope and promise for all life. With his chilling words, Rev. Mohler has accomplished something both startling and tragic: He has added injury to insult. Here is Rev. Mohler's suggestion: With a growing body of evidence to suggest that sexual orientation may in some measure be the result of biological factors, Christians have a moral responsibility to use any medical advancements at their disposal, including experimental hormonal treatments for pregnant women, in an effort to change a child's inherent orientation, and -- he goes on to claim -- thereby further the good of humanity and God's glory. In this, Rev. Mohler crosses the line that merely separates differing opinions and moves into a realm that justifies violence against human beings who are created in God's image. His suggestion is eerily Mengelean.

The use of Scripture and faith perspectives to justify prejudice and hatred, and ultimately our extinction as a people, cannot be condoned by anyone who knows God's love and acceptance for all creation. Today, on behalf of Metropolitan Community Churches, I am joining my voice with the rising chorus of those condemning Rev. Mohler's shameful misuse of Scripture and science to inspire prospective parents to genetically eliminate LGBT people while simultaneously justifying our condemnation. Biological determination of sexual orientation, he maintains, would not "compromise or mitigate" Biblical condemnation of LGBT people because, he claims, we are the result of sin and God's judgment.

I beg to differ, Rev. Mohler. All life, including LGB T life, is the result of God's love and God's creative genius. All life is pronounced "good" by God. There are no exceptions. God knew us by name and knit us together in our mother's wombs.This is the witness of Scripture.

Rev Mohler also writes: "...The human genetic structure, along with every other aspect of creation, shows the pernicious effects of the Fall and of God's judgment. The discovery of a biological basis for homosexuality would be of great pastoral significance, allowing for a greater understanding of why certain persons struggle with these particular sexual temptations." Let me say clearly: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not the result of sin or God's judgment. If some LGBT people struggle with our identities, it is not because our orientations are in any way inherently sinful.

My more than 35 years of affirming, supportive ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith reveal the underlying reasons why some LGBT people struggle with their own acceptance and identities:-- It is because some of our brothers and sisters in Christ insist that we are an aberration, call for our virtual elimination from the human race, and advocate "unapologetic support" for "the use of any appropriate means" to change our God-given orientations. -- And it is because too many faith leaders have used their positions of authority and their publicly acclaimed voices to fan the flames of homophobia, leaving some LGBT people singed with unnecessary shame and false guilt.I thank God that the Scriptures offer the promise of a "more excellent way" (I Corinthian 12:31). It is because of my love of the faith, and because of my love of the Church called to serve that faith, and because of my love of God, and because of my love of all God's creation, including God's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children, that I call on people of conscience and goodwill across the faith communions to join me in praying for Rev. Mohler, as well as for those who will be led astray by his misguided beliefs. Join me in praying for the unity and peaceful coexistence of all faith communities, and for the prioritizing of the genuine Biblical mandates to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and heal the sick. And perhaps you'll take a moment, as we prepare to celebrate Easter and the promise of change and new life it harbors, to join me in contacting Rev. Mohler through the web-site www.floridabaptistwitness.com -- let him know that you are praying that God will remove the walls of separation between us and build up hope for a common and glorious future.

Grace and peace,

/signed/

+Nancy
The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

For More Information, Contact:Jim Birkitt
MCC Communications Director
Los Angeles, California
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.net
Web: www.MCCchurch.org