Homosexuality, an issue of controversy, claims the limelight worldwide in the beginning of this new millennium.

Homosexuality is also called same-sex attraction by some. Other than the United States, there have been very few demographic studies on homosexuals. Nevertheless, various studies reported that 2 – 4 % of the world population identify themselves as exclusively gays or lesbians. While it is seen as illegal in the Malaysia (Penal Code Section 377), homosexuality appears to gain grounds in many parts of the world.

Holland, in April 2001, became the first country in the world to expand the definition of marriage through legislation so that "two people of different or the same sex can contract a marriage." Less than two years later, in January 2003, Belgium became the second nation in the world to officially recognize gay marriages. Subsequently in June, Ontario Court of Appeal in Canada ordered the provincial government to grant marriage licenses to two same-sex couples. France, Germany and the Scandinavian countries allow forms of "registered partnerships," and Britain recently enacted a law enabling homosexual couples to register in "civil partnerships" reported the Washington Times (Dec 14 2003). Intense debate on 'gay' rights and the fight to obtain legal recognition of homosexual unions continue throughout the United States. Contention intensified within Christian community across the world with the most recent appointment of an openly gay bishop, Reverend Canon Gene Robinson of New Hamsphire in August 2003.

Most psychologists agree that a person’s sexual orientation generally becomes a pressing issue in adolescence: whether he or she will "consistently be sexually, romantically, and affectionately attracted to persons of the other sex (heterosexual) or of the same sex (homosexual) or of both sexes (bisexual)." (Human Development, 2001)

In a review of published studies (1982) comparing homosexual and heterosexual samples on psychological tests, John C. Gonsiorek concluded that "Homosexuality in and of itself is unrelated to psychological disturbance or maladjustment. Homosexuals as a group are not more psychologically disturbed on account of their homosexuality"

While APA worked intensively to eradicate the stigma associated with homosexual orientation, the World health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 9^th edition (ICD-9) still include homosexuality as a diagnosis until 1992. In 1997, APA passed a resolution to limit the treatment designed to change the behavior of homosexual individuals to heterosexuality and claimed that the therapy was unethical. More recently, in April 2003, the U. N. Commission on Human Rights introduced a draft resolution to include ""sexual orientation" in the definition of discrimination and "to promote and protect the human rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation." This resolution is expected to be tabled between April 15 and 25 in Geneva.

With all these revolutionary changes in the definitions and understanding of homosexuality and homosexuals over the past decades, a number of suggestions have been put forth about why people become homosexuals.

According to "neuro-hormonal" or "neuro-endocrine" theory, a complicated prenatal process involving both hormonal and neurological factors may influence sexual orientation (Ellis & Ames, 1987). Yet until today, there is no established empirical evidence on how brain anatomy may affect sexual orientation.

A 1994 study on identical twin and fraternal twin of a homosexual and a series of studies (1993, 1995) that linked male homosexuality to the X chromosome, supported by serious follow-up review of these studies suggested that sexual orientation might be partly behavioural genetics. Unfortunately, later research has failed to replica this finding.

Some theorists suggest the presence of biological disposition accompanied with certain psychological and social factors. Psychologist Daryl Been (1996) found that temperament, affected by genetic inheritance, interacts with psychological factors which then influence the sexual orientation of a person. Most people turn heterosexual because our current culture strongly favours that way, he believes.

The learning theory offers another explanation: most people learn to be heterosexual, and some learn to be homosexual for some "little-understood" reasons. Of course, there is the old Freud’s psychoanalytic theory that is not held in much regard today. It suggests that a child may identify with the same-sex parent and develop a permanent homosexual orientation if his/her first sexual feelings about the parent of the opposite sex are strongly punished. In other words, a person, who is inherently bisexual, becomes heterosexual or homosexual as a result of his/her experience with parents. Later psychoanalysts reject such assumption, arguing instead that heterosexuality is inborn and that homosexuality is a phobic response to members of the other sex (Sandor Rado, 1949).

Regardless the different positions, controversy remains as to whether or not sexual orientation is decisively shaped whether before birth or at an early age, whether homosexuality is a matter of choice and thus an immoral act.

A question may be asked: can a person with same-sex attraction change his/her lifestyle? In his presentation at APA annual convention in May 9 2001, Dr Robert Spitzer reported the change of sexual orientation of his 200 participants from homosexual to heterosexual. This indicates that a person is able to make a conscious choice of his/her lifestyle.

Notwithstanding the intense scientific interest in the causes of sexual orientation, the Bible consistently upholds healthy heterosexuality as God’s best for His creation. The Levitical codes elaborate on prohibited sexual activities outside of marriage, including incest, bestiality and homosexuality (Leviticus 18), of which the latter is an abomination (18:22). These activities violate the sanctity of heterosexual marriage as indicated in the Bible. Yet there is no room for Christians to be self-righteous because homosexuality is an expression of sin no worse than envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slandering, insolent, arrogant, boastful, etc. (Romans 1:16-32). God tells us not to look beyond the hardened or the hopeless for Jesus "did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13).

There is always hope of redemption in Christ.

Pray for Christians not to be judgmental neither to be homophobic, but be compassionate and to reach out in love. Words of forgiveness and acceptance of who the person is are milestone for healing. A distinction must be made between a person and an act.

        "I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" (Romans 9:15b).

"Compassion is stronger than sympathy and more enduring than empathy: both of which are dimensions of vulnerability and identification -- essential escorts that lead us to Christ’s compassion. But compassion captures those feelings and transforms them into love-empowered actions" (Francis Frangipane, The Pathway to Power).

Pray for Christians who may be struggling in same-sex tendencies who may give in when feelings are strong. Strength and courage to resist the temptation. Church be supportive.

Church be equipped in skills and knowledge, be prepared spiritually and mentally

• To guide and disciple its congregation, especially the young ones, in search of sexuality and identity from the Scripture, e.g. to preach a series of sexuality of which homosexuality is one of the many issues the church faces and to rightfully contextualize the problem.
• To educate and help its congregation to understand and welcome those with same-sex tendencies in the church. There is a difference between a repentant struggler and a person who refuses to change.

Pray for the special ministries and those who have repented from their formal lifestyle that they may stand firm in Christ, continue to serve God more effectively and faithfully – wisdom, skills, resources, finances, etc.