ST Forum: Homosexuality - better to educate our young on importance of marriage and family (May 25, 2007)

ST Forum

May 25, 2007

Homosexuality - better to educate our young on importance of marriage and family

I REFER to the letter by Mr David Garcia, 'Is homosexuality wrong?: Three factors to consider' (Online forum, May 22).

I do not know of the teachings of other Christian churches or otherreligious groups, but I do know that in my church, homosexuality and homosexual acts are wrong.

As clearly declared in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' issued by The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we have been taught that 'all human beings - male and female - are created in the image of God. Each is abeloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents and, as such, each has adivine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal and eternal identity and purpose'.

I further quote: 'The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Evepertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declarethat God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earthremains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacredpowers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman,lawfully wedded as husband and wife.'

This Proclamation was inspired and issued in September 1995 because of theincreasing threat to the sanctity of marriage and family. The complete textcan be viewed at www.lds.org

Many may have argued for decriminalising homosexual acts on grounds that itis widely accepted in other parts of the world. Some have even suggestedthat they add a colourful and intellectual vibrancy to our city.

I do not deny that there are many gays who are highly intellectual andc olourful. But, is that grounds for decriminalising homosexuality?

I would argue strongly against it. Just as there are many high society drugabusers, who are highly intellectual and colourful, should we also legalise the use of drugs in Singapore? I think and hope not. We are all well aware the dangers drug abuse pose to society.

Homosexuality and homosexual acts are no different from drugs. Such actswill slowly destroy families and families are the fundamental unit of everysociety.

There is a Chinese saying; 'First there is the family, then the country'.Instead of decriminalising homosexuality and homosexual acts, we should beeducating our young on the importance of marriage and family. Many of society's problems will go away if we build stronger families.

That said, it does not mean that we should condemn homosexuals. Instead, weshould do everything we can to help them understand the divine nature oftheir gender. After all, they are humans too.

Patrick Tan Siong Kuan