Is it not clear that Christianity views homosexuality as a sin? Is it not coherent that the laws of a secular country shouldn't be criminalizing the LGBT community? How you want to treat the LGBTQ community, is entirely up to you. Don't we all judge people with any sort of alternative lifestyles, and avoid people we don't care for anyway? Importantly, as a human being, where do we draw the line of ostracization?
Section 377A of our Penal Code is a hot potato because because we have been taught that homosexuality is errant and deviant. If Christianity doesn't condemn it, then societal norms do, and perhaps encouraging us to tease our LGBTQ friends the same way we make fun of people who are different, and those who have opted for a different path in life. This law has to be constantly challenged, and the road to a successful repeal will be long drawn and painful. But it has to be done if Singapore touts herself as a secular nation.
If our country is deemed as religious, then by all means enact all the religious rules and laws along with it, be it Islamic or Christian. Do not forget that in other cultures, sexual fluidity is not a big deal, and is largely accepted. The world isn't Christian, and while evangelizing is the tenet of many churches, Christians would do well to remind themselves that the world is colorful and is made up of other equally significant cultures and religions. If living in God's Kingdom is your end point...
Section 377A has to be repealed because it has no place in modern laws. It only targets men. I dare them to keep it and enact a new one 'Section 377A(i)' that keeps it criminally equal for women too. It's ridiculous for the Prime Minister of a multi-cultural secular country to actually say it in an official capacity in 2007 that it's a law that's not enforced. The Colonial Laws Validity Act of 1865 is archaic and England's former colonies have largely repealed many laws from that historical period. It doesn't mean Singapore has to do the same, but it means that we ought to review what some of these laws mean in today's world. I'm fine living in a society where the Bible and Christians view LGBTQ inclinations as a cardinal sin. But the Bible (and other sacred Books) doesn't lead a secular country's Constitution and its bills and laws. I'm not comfortable living in a country that criminalizes it because it opens the path to abuse and violence. We need to be able to make this differentiation.
I've said it many times- I was raised Catholic, and I am Catholic; those years in law school and theological studies did me good. While I understand that homosexuality is a biblical sin, and I can (try my best lah) remain neutral in most debates, I personally don't accept that. I read what the Archbishop wrote last week, and I'm not fussed. I stand for the repeal of Section 377A.
Section 377A of our Penal Code is a hot potato because because we have been taught that homosexuality is errant and deviant. If Christianity doesn't condemn it, then societal norms do, and perhaps encouraging us to tease our LGBTQ friends the same way we make fun of people who are different, and those who have opted for a different path in life. This law has to be constantly challenged, and the road to a successful repeal will be long drawn and painful. But it has to be done if Singapore touts herself as a secular nation.
If our country is deemed as religious, then by all means enact all the religious rules and laws along with it, be it Islamic or Christian. Do not forget that in other cultures, sexual fluidity is not a big deal, and is largely accepted. The world isn't Christian, and while evangelizing is the tenet of many churches, Christians would do well to remind themselves that the world is colorful and is made up of other equally significant cultures and religions. If living in God's Kingdom is your end point...
Section 377A has to be repealed because it has no place in modern laws. It only targets men. I dare them to keep it and enact a new one 'Section 377A(i)' that keeps it criminally equal for women too. It's ridiculous for the Prime Minister of a multi-cultural secular country to actually say it in an official capacity in 2007 that it's a law that's not enforced. The Colonial Laws Validity Act of 1865 is archaic and England's former colonies have largely repealed many laws from that historical period. It doesn't mean Singapore has to do the same, but it means that we ought to review what some of these laws mean in today's world. I'm fine living in a society where the Bible and Christians view LGBTQ inclinations as a cardinal sin. But the Bible (and other sacred Books) doesn't lead a secular country's Constitution and its bills and laws. I'm not comfortable living in a country that criminalizes it because it opens the path to abuse and violence. We need to be able to make this differentiation.
I've said it many times- I was raised Catholic, and I am Catholic; those years in law school and theological studies did me good. While I understand that homosexuality is a biblical sin, and I can (try my best lah) remain neutral in most debates, I personally don't accept that. I read what the Archbishop wrote last week, and I'm not fussed. I stand for the repeal of Section 377A.
