Declaration affirms Biblical teaching on sexual morality By John H. Adams The Layman Online Thursday, September 28, 2000 Declaring that "fidelity to God's blueprint for human sexual behavior is integral to healthy human spirituality," hundreds of men and women in Christian ministry have signed a statement upholding Biblical teaching on sexuality. The list of signers – now more than 600 – is growing. The "Religious Declaration on Human Sexual Morality" is posted on a web site sponsored by an interfaith group called Mastering Life's Mysteries. Also, the web site includes a list of endorsements and an opportunity for those who wish to add their names to do so through the Internet. Among the evangelical leaders who have signed the declaration are Presbyterian Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, Anglican theologian John Stott, scholar J.I. Packer, and megachurch pastor Rick Warren. The declaration is a response to a liberal statement, "The Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing," which calls for ordination of practicing homosexuals, same-sex unions and abortion rights. That statement was sponsored by a sex-education organization, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. The Signers of the Religious Declaration on Human Sexual Morality emphasized that God can bring change. "For those who find themselves caught in an aberrant sexual lifestyle, God offers the atoning death of His Son, Jesus Christ, which brings forgiveness, cleansing, healing and transforming power. Jesus did not come to condemn mankind, but to save any and all who would come to Him for cleansing." Some of the key points in the statement include: Opposition to attempts by "those in secular and religious communities who seek to overturn and redefine the clear teachings of the Bible, to make it appear as though sexual behavior outside of the bounds … [of Judeo-Christian teaching] is somehow normal and blessed by God." "We are speaking out against the unchecked confusion and division sown in the Church by … apostles of immorality." "We are speaking out against any sex education program that would teach such ideas to our young people." "We are speaking out against the impression given by some that those who support Biblical definitions of morality hate those who refuse to accept or live by them." "We oppose any and all efforts to normalize or sanctify homosexual behavior, to advocate or bless homosexual marriages or to ordain those who engage in homosexual behavior." "We oppose any attempt to stigmatize or reject persons who are turning to Christ for forgiveness, healing and transformation who have been struggling with their sexual orientation." "We oppose any suggestion that they are lesser or more sinful human beings than anyone else. They are welcome in the Church." "We oppose any and all attempts to normalize or sanctify heterosexual immorality, including the use of pornography or prostitutes, adulterous or other non-marital sexual relationships or any other behavior outside of healthy, heterosexual, marital monogamy." "We oppose the taking of a human life in its mother's womb or any other form of abortion."

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