Synod To Consider Homosexuality Report (Press, 11 October 1979)

A report on attitudes toward homosexuality titled “The Church, the Law and Society” is set to be presented to the Christchurch Diocesan Synod during its annual meeting. This report, prepared by the Christchurch diocesan committee on homosexuality, follows two years of investigations and consultations. It advocates for fostering open, honest discussions about homosexuality and recommends that the Synod establish a commission to explore the ethical issues surrounding sexual behaviour. The report calls for opposing discrimination against individuals based on their homosexuality and urges legal reform to decriminalise consensual homosexual acts between adult males in private, while ensuring safeguards to protect minors. Led by the Rev. C. G. Brown, the committee has produced a 20-page document that covers various topics, including definitions of homosexuality, the origins and common misconceptions about it, therapeutic approaches for homosexuals, and an examination of biblical perspectives and Christian traditions concerning homosexuality. Various theories regarding the origins of homosexual behaviour are analysed, with the report concluding that a singular cause is unrealistic. The prevailing view among some is that these behaviours arise from factors beyond individual control. Furthermore, some commentators argue that seeking explanations for homosexuality is unnecessary, as such behaviour can be viewed simply as a variation of human experience, no different from heterosexual behaviour. The report also addresses prevalent misconceptions about homosexuals, which characterize them as effeminate, contributors to societal decay, threats to family life, and unstable in relationships. It also counters the notion that they are psychologically abnormal or more likely to commit offenses against children. As for the biblical stance on homosexuality, the report indicates that interpretations should consider the original context before being applied. It suggests that biblical texts differentiate between homosexual acts and homosexuality as a condition. The necessity for legal reform is emphasized, as the current laws inadvertently encourage male homosexuals to engage in illegal activity if they seek to form lasting relationships. The findings and recommendations of the report will be disseminated to church committees throughout Canterbury, the Minister of Justice, and the Church of England's Board of Social Responsibility. The Synod is also expected to enlist the support of the Diocesan Public and Social Affairs Committee and the Diocesan Board of Christian Education for these resolutions.

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