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Published by
OrthodoxyToday.org,
August 11, 2005
Homosexuality:
Some Psycho-Theological Reflections and
Pastoral Implications
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Fr.
George Morelli Ph.D.
The recent unanimous
condemnation of "same sex marriage" (along with
abortion, support for ordination of women to
Holy Orders and pre-emptive justifiable war) by
the recent Antiochian Archdiocesan Conference in
Detroit Michigan on 29 July 2005 invite some
reflections on the issue of sexual orientation
and church practice.
Homosexuality is probably not
a unitary state. [Like alcoholism we should be
speaking of alcoholisms, which can be
differentiated on the basis of biological as
well as complex cultural and social factors
(American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic
and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders
Fourth Edition-Test Revision [DSM-IV-TR], 2000)
so too with homosexuality we should be speaking
of homosexualities]. There is probably a subset
of those who practice homosexuality, wherein
there is a choice element. For these,
individuals there may have been some social
learning and/or other factors that lead them
into this practice. However there is scientific
evidence that there are biological factors
involved in some other subsets of those who have
a homosexual orientation. (Camperio-Ciani, Corna,
Capiluppi, 2004; Savic, Berglund & Lindstrom,
2005)
If I may direct us to
heterosexual sexual studies for a moment. There
is in the current scientific literature strong
support that there are male/female differences
in "strength of attraction" between the sexes.
Males are more strongly and quickly aroused by
'multiple females'; Females are more strongly
and deeply aroused by a male to whom they are
bonded and that will protect them. (Buss, 1994;
Rasa, Vogel & Voland, 1989). The Church Fathers,
not knowing the terminology of modern psychology
used the term "passions" in describing our
bodily predispositions. Is it not possible to
consider that the biology we possess is the
material substrate of these passions? This is
not to say that the passions are not also in
mind [cognitive content] and influence the 'nous'
of our spirit. God did create us as composite
creatures of body and soul and of course we left
our natural state as our Church Fathers have
told us with consequences to our body and soul
due to the 'sin' of our first parents.
Now in cases of sexual
orientation (homosexual and heterosexual) we are
all called to a standard of sexuality in God. A
heterosexual male, despite inclinations and
predisposition to 'multiple females' is called
by God to be bonded with one woman, blessed by
Christ, through His church and participate in
God's creation through sexual union (Morelli
2004). In spiritual, pastoral or clinical
counseling of heterosexuals I point out that yes
we have these passions or inclinations, but as
Christians we are called to 'overcome' them, be
cured and heal them as illnesses and live a life
in Christ. To the homosexual I give the same
answer. "Yes you have this inclination, but your
special vocation is to overcome such a 'passion'
etc. It is not easy, but all is in grace, what
is impossible for man is possible for God." (Mat
19:26) I do not want to see the Orthodox Church,
get into the position, the Western Church got in
when it avoided [and at times condemned the
findings of Copernicus]. Science is merely a
method to learn about God's creation. We use our
intelligence [we are made in His image to do so]
to understand and have dominion over the world.
(Gen 1:26) We know as Christians, 'Truth, is
One.' There cannot be any contradictions. I
suggest the above as a consideration, so we may
live the Truth of Christ and use this same truth
in pastoral interactions with any individuals,
heterosexual or homosexual trying to lead a
"life in Christ"
Some of my thoughts in
attempting to experience and understand the
relationship between passions, biology and sin,
come from a little booklet, [compiled I believe
by Fr. Alexy Young, although not credited]: The
Teaching of the Holy Fathers On the Passions,
(1986)] On page 11 citing St Macarius the Great,
Homily 4 :"We can cultivate the ability to
discern right and wrong if we understand the
three movements which lead to passion: The first
is a natural movement, inherent in the body,
which does not produce anything sinful or
burdening to the conscience, but merely lets it
be known that it exists in the body" --such as
hunger " Fr Alexy goes on to interpret this in
light of St. Mark the Ascetic: "Here we see that
the natural appetite of the body innocently
expresses itself: feeling the pangs of hunger,
we prepare food and eat to fullness. Suddenly
certain thoughts come to us involuntarily. Until
'our will consents, these thoughts constitute
neither virtue or vice, but merely disclose the
inclination of our will.'" This is the reason I
use the term biological substrate in discussing
sexual orientation and the passions. It seems to
me that there is an Orthodox anthropology that
suggests "natural movements", "inclinations",
that then lead to passions and further sins,
etc. I do believe what are called "natural
movements" are not the same as the "original
nature" of man, but are a result of our fallen
nature. However I have found these words of the
Holy Fathers to be pastorally and clinically
useful in dealing with both homosexual and
heterosexual individuals attempting to live a
life in Christ.
A further reflection: I think
one of the subsets of homosexual behavior may be
situationally displayed in specific settings.
There are well documented reports of prisoners,
for example, who have engaged in extensive
homosexual acts while incarcerated, and switch
back to total heterosexual activities upon
release. From a clinical viewpoint, such
individuals would not be considered to have a
'homosexual orientation'. Pastorally I think it
is important for human persons, to understand
themselves, spiritually, psychologically and
biologically and have the faith and commitment
in God to do all they can to 'fight the good
fight' by asceticism, prayer, the holy mysteries
of the Church etc. [My answer to those,
homosexual or heterosexual persons, who say they
are simply acting 'by nature' is to point out
the above distinctions and to reaffirm: All of
God's children (heterosexual and homosexual) are
called to use their sexuality in Christ. A
heterosexual male, for example, has to overcome
his "inclination" (passion) to "know" multiple
females. A homosexual individual has to overcome
his/her "inclination" to "know others of the
same sex. All of us human creatures, male,
female, heterosexual or homosexual, conforming
to God's will, and thereby having God indwell in
us is the way of our salvation.
REFERENCES
American Psychiatric
Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical
manual of mental disorders (4th edition -- text
revision). Washington, DC: Author.
Buss, D.M. (1994). The
strategies of human mating. American Scientist ,
82, 238-249.
Camperio-Ciani, A., Corna,
F., & Capiluppi, C. (2004) Evidence for
maternally inherited factors favouring male
homosexuality and promoting female fecundity.
Proceedings of the Royal Society. England, 271,
1554, 2217-2221.
Morelli, G. (2004) Sex is
holy: The responsibility of Christian parenting.
The Word. 48. 6, 7-8.
Savic, I, Berglund, H.,
Lindstrom, P. (2005) Brain response to putative
pheromones in homosexual men. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences, USA, 102, 20,
7356-7361.
Rasa, A. E., ,Vogel, C., &
Voland, E. (Eds.), (1989) The Sociobiology of
Sexual and Reproductive Strategies. London:
Chapman & Hall.
The Teachings of the Holy
Fathers on the Passions (1986). Richfield
Springs, NY: Nikodemos Orthodox Publication
Society.
Fr. George Morelli PhD is a licensed
Clinical Psychologist and Marriage and Family
Therapist and Religion Coordinator (and
Antiochian Archdiocesan Liaison) of the
Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine,
Psychology and Religion. Fr. George is
Assistant Pastor of St. George's Antiochian
Orthodox Church, San Diego, California.
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