N. & B. Whitehead,
© 1995. This document may be freely copied for non commercial purposes.
1. In Part I, this document expounds the universal opinion in the scientific community: genes never dictate sexual behaviour, identity, or feelings. Scientists in most disciplines believe the genetic influence is near zero, and that environmental factors override it. They also believe the balance can be changed and the environmental influence further increased.
2. The survey literature shows asexuality, and inappropriate sexual practice is probably fairly common in churches, but is seldom addressed pastorally. It should be. Specifically, good anonymous sexual counselling services need to be made available for clergy.
3. Less conventional sexual practices are probably usually exploitative, particularly of women, and should not be facilely endorsed.
4. In Part II, this submission argues theologically that since our biology does not force us into particular behaviours, this reinforces the idea of the hope of change central to the Gospel. It argues departures from conventional forms of sexuality tend towards less than perfect freedom and varying degrees of compulsivity.
5. Leadership should be drawn from those who are free and able to teach others how to be free. Therefore ordination should be of those well along in the process of change whatever the type of compulsive behaviour, and whatever its origin.
6. Very few expressions of sexuality are shown to qualify for the description "love".
7. Support groups should be established for those within congregations who have sexual and gender-related behaviours which tend to entrap them, for premarital celibates, and those who are asexual because of past trauma, because in total they are likely to be several percent of a typical congregation.
Last modified 7 February 1996