A working group of the Mission and Discipleship Council is set to present the General Assembly with an in-depth report on ‘same-sex partnerships as an issue in theology and human sexuality’ (Section 4).
The report, which is entitled A challenge to unity, takes as its starting point an acknowledgement of the strength of feeling that has already been expressed on the issue of same-sex relationships. However, the considerable body of work that is to go before May’s Assembly does not seek only to study the two sides of the debate – indeed, the idea that the debate has only two primary viewpoints is specifically rejected. A challenge to unity seeks to give a flavour of the wide range of views held within the church, and to identify areas of common ground around which the church might unite.
Whilst the Legal Questions Committee report to last year’s Assembly approached the question of same-sex partnership from a practical and legal perspective, this year’s report is closely focussed on theological perspectives. As such, the 2007 debate will build upon work arising from the General Assembly of 1994. In that year the former Board of Social Responsibility produced a report on human sexuality, while the then Panel on Doctrine reported on the theology of marriage. At that time, neither of these reports was specifically endorsed by the Assembly, although both were accepted as the basis for further debate. (Sections 4.3.2 – 4.3.8)
As a part of its remit, the working group that produced A challenge to unity listened to gay and lesbian Christians, including two Church of Scotland ministers who have entered into civil partnership with their same-sex partners. These respondents expressed a wide range of perspectives, and the working group has listened to testimonies which have led members to recognise pastorally insensitive – indeed, sinful – attitudes on the part of the Church towards gay people. (Section 4.5.2)
Naturally enough, a considerable part of the working group’s discussion focussed on interpretation of scripture. Some take the view that the only rightful place for human sexual activity is within the realm of heterosexual marriage. By this token, homosexual sexual activity, as well as sex between unmarried heterosexuals, can be seen as contrary to scriptural guidance. Perhaps it could be said that homosexual orientation is a naturally occurring phenomenon, but that homosexual acts should be resisted?
However, there are a number of alternatives to this approach. There are many who would see potential for a gay or lesbian’s sexual life being contained in a marriage-like relationship. Eugene Rogers’ book, Sexuality and the Christian Body, picks up from the note that marriage is a means of redemption: men and women are sanctified through marriage. Marriage is about transforming sexual love into Christian love: from falling in love to living with someone in increasing respect, tenderness and delight. On this basis, Rogers would extend its benefits to gays and lesbians, saying 'The trouble with most conservative accounts is not that in denying same-sex couples the rite of marriage they would deny them true self-satisfaction, although they might. The trouble is that in denying same-sex couples the rite of marriage they would deny them true self-denial.' (Section 4.16.2.7)
The working group on human sexuality has identified a number of questions which the Kirk, and the Christian church as a whole, will have to address during the years ahead. For example, how is God’s creation and providence to be understood? To what extent should our understanding of humanity develop from thought about sinfulness or redemption? Are homosexual acts per se sinful? When is it legitimate to read certain scriptural texts as teaching one thing but to believe that the Holy Spirit is leading the church to set aside that reading? To what extent are faithful gay and lesbian relationships akin to marriages? Is conducting a liturgy for a couple following a civil partnership a matter on which ministers may act? (Section 4.17.6)
The 12 representatives on the working group come from a variety of theological backgrounds and, as a result of this, they have settled upon wide-ranging conclusions. The document set to be debated at May’s General Assembly says that where there is now a strong measure of agreement is on the question of homosexual orientation. Many people are both gay and Christian; having a homosexual orientation is not a matter for censure; having a homosexual orientation does not preclude service to Christ in the church and the world. A homosexual orientation should not be a barrier to any role in church and state, and the Church should oppose all forms of discrimination on these grounds, both in environments where the Church carries authority and in society at large. (Section 4.17.7)
However, there is a continuing difference of opinion on the matter of homosexual sexual activity: Many will respond that the distinction between homosexual orientation and activity is untenable and unfair. For them, traditional prohibitions on homosexual activity must be reconsidered, with a greater weight being given in scriptural interpretation and moral discernment to love, faithfulness, honesty, selflessness and other reflections of God’s incarnate love. But others hold that distinguishing between a morally neutral homosexual orientation and sinful homosexual activity is the scripturally-formed Christian approach to take to these matters. Likewise it would be an interpretation of love, faithfulness, honesty and selflessness. (Section 4.17.8)
In conclusion, the working group’s report upholds in the strongest possible terms the importance of exchange of views between different parties, of listening to the other, and of discerning what measure of unity still matters despite the seriously contentious questions being raised over issues of human sexuality. There is little to be gained, and rather much to be lost, by one set of views being stampeded over, and against the conscience of others.
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