If I was Divinely Created...

"If I was divinely created, how can homosexuality be a sin? That is a question MANY young people ask. Mark Robinson asked the same question... of his parents, and of his Pastor."

By Zarek A Dragon

Tom and Betty Robinson were sitting in the kitchen. They had just come home from church and Tom was reading the Sunday paper while Betty was preparing lunch. She asked him, "Did you hear about Ethan Reynolds?"

"I noticed he wasn't in church today."

"His son told him a couple of days ago that he was gay. Ethan almost killed that poor boy, so he is in jail."

Tom shook his head, "How can a father do that to his child? They are supposed to love them unconditionally."

"Mom, Dad, I've always felt like you have, but do you really mean that?"

"Yes, Mark," Tom answered, "if you are worried that telling us you are gay will change anything, I promise, it won't."

"You know?" Mark was shocked.

"No, I didn't, but when you asked after what we just said, I just had a feeling. So, are you saying you are gay?"

Mark started to cry, but nodded his head, "Yeah, Dad, I am."

"Come here, Son," Tom told his son. Once Mark got close enough, Tom wrapped his arms around Mark. "I'm not sure how the church will look at this, but if God made you gay, I can't see how it can be a sin."

"I didn't choose to be gay, Dad."

"I know, Mark. No one in their right mind would choose to be gay."

"Dad, if the Bible says being gay is a sin, why did God make me gay?"

"I honestly don't know the answer to that question. I know it probably scares you, but would you like to talk to Preacher Dan about it?"

"He won't tell me that I am sinning by being gay, will he?"

"No Mark, we don't have to tell him that you are gay. How did you hear that it is genetics?"

"Health Class on Friday, that is what prompted Nathan to tell his dad."

"Okay, then what if we approach Preacher Dan and tell him you learned that homosexuality was genetical in school, and you were wondering how it can be a sin if God made a person gay."

"That might work, but isn't that kind of like lying?"

"Are you planning to tell him anything that isn't truthful?"

"No, Sir."

"Then you won't be lying. C'mon, let's go see if we can catch him."

Tom drove to the church and was parking his vehicle as Preacher Dan was coming out of the building. "Did you folks forget something?" the preacher asked.

"Pastor, Mark asked me a question and I thought you might be better at answering."

"What is it, Mark?"

"In school, we were talking about homosexuality in Health Class. We were taught that homosexuality is determined by genetics. Now if God made a person gay, how can it be a sin?"

"Be honest, Mark, are you gay?"

Mark nearly pissed his pants when Preacher Dan asked, but he was honest, "Yes, Sir, I am."

"So, you are really asking if you were born gay, are you sinning?"

"In essence," Mark responded.

"Mark, have you ever heard me say that being gay is a sin?"

"No Sir, I never have."

"Do you know why that is?"

The preacher had been smiling, so Mark felt more at ease, "No Sir, but I can think of a few reasons."

"Mark, do you believe God loves you?"

Mark smiled, "I know God loves me. He loves me so much that He died on the cross for me."

"Yes, God so loved the world, that includes you, Mark, that took on the form of Christ, His only begotten son, to shed His blood that we may go to heaven. First off, Mark, the Bible never says that homosexuality is a sin. There are passages that say men lying with men are sins, but different religions interpret those passages differently. Some use them to condemn homosexuality. I believe that if God created a person, whether gay or straight, that is how God intended them to be. If God intended you to be gay, I would be sinning if I told you that being gay is a sin."

"That makes sense," Mark smiled. He felt really relieved to hear a preacher say this.

"The second reason why I don't preach against homosexuality is," the preacher continued, "Aaron came out to my wife and me last year that he is gay."

"Did you just out your son?" Mark was surprised.

"Perhaps, but with good reason." The preacher smiled at Mark, "He told me that I could tell you if you ever came out or your parents ever outed you."

Mark was even more surprised, "He knew I was gay?"

"No, he didn't," Preacher Dan replied. "His exact words were, "Dad, I think Mark Robinson is really cute, I don't know if he is gay or not, but if he is and comes out to you, or his parents out him, would you let him know I am gay? Aaron has been infatuated with you for as long as he can remember. In fact, it is because he wants to date you and kiss you that he knows he is gay."

"Man, I have been attracted to Aaron for a long time. HE is why I started questioning whether I was gay or not. I wish he would have approached me. I think Aaron is VERY cute," Mark admitted, "but he needs to come up to me and ask me himself before I will consider dating him."

Preacher Dan started laughing, "I'll let him know, don't be surprised if you get a phone call shortly after I get home. So, do you feel any better?"

"Yes, Pastor, I do. I was worried about how I could be sinning just being me."

"Well, we all are sinners, it doesn't matter if you are gay or straight. Did you know that the Bible says that a lie is just as wicked as murder?"

"I try to never lie. Ask Dad, if he asks me a question, I will tell him the truth even if it means I am in trouble. I would rather be honest and take whatever punishment I get than to lie, get found out and really be punished."

"Not only that, if you are honest, you only need to remember the truth. If you lie, you have to remember who you told what."

"Preacher, would it be alright if I hug you?"

"Yes, Mark. I would like that. I know you feel like I lifted a burden off your shoulders."

"Now, are you glad I suggested you talk with Preacher Dan?" Tom asked.

"Yes, Dad, and thank you for loving me unconditionally."

"Before we all leave, would you mind if I said a little prayer?"

"I don't mind," Mark told the preacher.

"Lord, You have created all of us. Some are straight, some are gay. Mark believes You created him gay, so please help Mark understand, there is NOTHING wrong with how You created him. Help him to feel Your peace and understanding as he accepts who he is. I ask this in Jesus' name."

Mark and Tom ended the prayer in unison, "Amen."

"Now, I need to get home and tell Aaron his wait is over," the preacher laughed.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don't hesitate to email me. Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

Please contact me at Zarek A Dragon. Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.