Not So Forbidden

By Gerrit Coetzee

Not so forbidden.

Almost biblical, her name is Mary. Mary and her husband are acquaintances, who at the day shared their news of expecting their second baby. Since congratulations were in order, we shared our good news too: "Hi, Mary, Christian Faith Publishers signed a contract to publish my manuscript."

She replied with "Oh, I did not even know you were writing. What is it about?"

It is about lesbianism. Her eyes grew big; her pupils contracted. "Oh," she said.

I set out to briefly explain that the prevailing interpretation of Romans 1 in the Bible is an incorrect interpretation, and that is not about the damnation of lesbians. That I am set to disprove current believes and fight the cause for lesbians.

Mary replied, "Gerrit, I am not an atheist, but I did lose faith in Christianity because of this issue. I will read your book, and if you are right, I will return to Christ."

Well, time will tell if one soul was won.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639610822

Book preview

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Not So Forbidden

Gerrit Coetzee

ISBN 978-1-63961-081-5 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63961-082-2 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Gerrit Coetzee

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from KJV.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Is Lesbianism and bisexuality a sin?

Dedicated to two wonderful women in my life:

To my wife Andrea Coetzee, for her continued encouragement.

To my mother Theresa Coetzee (15 December 1940–22 August 2021)

Both remarkable women; pillars.

God’s Unembellished Perspective

In this world, life is tough. Yours, mine. It is heart-wrenching, tear-welling tough at times. There are periods in which you are alone, and life’s difficulties compound with troubles. Troubles from which there seems to be no rescue. We all experience it with intervals, and no one escapes this reality. These experiences could be short-lived or could protract over a lifetime with varying intensity. In this, people are not equal. They experience their burden in different degrees of complexity, and everyone’s reflection on their individual situation renders the same outcome: my situation is unfair, and raises further questions of why me?

There are many such situations. Some people accept them as a reality of life. Ordinary tragedies that we cannot change or prevent, for example, the passing of loved ones. It is taken as natural when parents die, but when a baby girl loses her mother, many will question nature’s brutality. To this state of affairs, we do not have answers or solutions. It just seems unfair.

Nothing makes a difficult situation more intense and unbearable if there is a notion that not only does it seem unfair, but it comes with a measure of injustice. A perception of unfairness gives an added pain jab when meted in injustice.

Naturally, I guess almost everyone will assess their own tragic events as unfairness of life and as an injustice. Over time, most people reconcile with these feelings. They then come to terms with their possible misplaced observation of injustices, realizing other people do not share their perception of unfairness.

A natural or logical response to injustice perceptions is a retreat from the source of it. Others may muster a rebellion. Proper counsel depends on the situation. Advocates must present factual and concrete arguments if they are to slay the dragon of injustice. Their success is reinforced by prowess, which is influenced by their experience, knowledge, and hopefully some wisdom. As such, advocates are not created equally. Their perceptions and knowledge further significantly impact their ability or willingness to act as orators in a specific subject matter.

Choose your battles wisely, they say. Although there is truth in that, it is inexperience and a lack of knowledge of the unknown that instills enough fear in them to see many flee a battlefield, this many a time, leaving the trotted for dead.

In this case of touting the matter of lesbianism, this too might have been the same for me. I guess it would take time anyway before for the plight of bisexual and lesbian women to reach fertile soil. As I set out to do this, I shall show that it takes a cumulation of multiple disciplines, to conclude herein; and I offer that as a reason it took the world so long to clarify the subject matter—if not for those who maliciously hid the truth. It proved to take time, and the ideal confluence of circumstances, to yield a proficient soundboard capable of speaking on the subject. The cries of lesbian and bisexual women did reach the sanctum of a susceptible mind ready to be a torchbearer, willing to take on a battle for a significant number of the world’s population.

Battles of truthfulness do not exist in a vacuum. In general, fighting for a cause rooted in law predisposes to the existence of such a system. However, currently, it is within this system where there is an incorrect sanction of just principles. Incorrect sanction of just principles is even worse than no sanctions for an injustice. Yet both remain injustices.

In our world, already filled with so much fraught, things become more dreadful, more unbearable, when a person is shamed and abandoned, being innocent too.

Naturally, being in the wrong and on the wrong side of the law makes sympathy for your inflictions fade in the light of justice—when justice is fittingly passed. Few find compassion for the criminal, and that includes me. However, punishing an innocent person while the community is uncompassionate, oblivious, or ignorant, and lacking insight into the correct legal principles, makes the suffering of the innocent grow exponentially. It renders the victim incorrectly naked and exposed to the world. It is here where advocates are supposed to step in and defend the person so conflicted.

Nobody is born with wisdom, knowledge, or experience. Entering an altercation without the proper experience and executing decisions void of wisdom and in deficient knowledge of everyone’s weak and strong points could cost you the battle and cause more pain and suffering. I thus had to gather evidence from every fathomable angle and combine all resources in preparation before drawing a line in the sand.

After decades of education, observation, consultations, legal study, practical experience, deep self-evaluation, and biblical and ecclesial edification, I am considerably more empowered on the subject than when I penned the first words to this script thirty years ago. A combination of many traits in one flask, sparked by a catalyst, pushed me to this public podium. I am confident in full reliance on an intellectual approach, to speak assuredly and with evidence-based authority. Hence, I am raising the torch on behalf of lesbian and bisexual women. If you wish to have my counsel, here it is:

I proclaim that I am to champion your lesbian (or bisexual) case with the personal guarantee that I am about to prove your innocence. Take my lead. Let me rally your case as your lawyer, so help me God.

This work is undertaken with thrift to change considerable injustice. It is setting out to change misconceptions—the goal to end the prejudice born from misinterpretation, within families foremost, then communities who must change. It is presented as good news that will set people free from improper judgment as it reaches societies, parents, and siblings, setting them free of incorrect judgment and guilt. Given the prejudices, the revelation that a daughter or relative is not straight could be traumatizing, since these persons believe that this immoral orientation is heading for eternal damnation. It is revealed herein how it is that lesbianism is not a sin. Your guilt, your concerns, vain. May this message echo through time and space and end the hitherto unjust blame. I pray that it will reach each conflicted adolescent and tormented soul. We must replace the misconception with the truth. In doing so, release ourselves from the burden that the false teachings made us carry, and pronounce the innocent free.

Battlefield Readiness

I’m in battle readiness; leveling the playing field is cardinal. Over and above addressing the issue at hand and fencing for lesbianism, the following remains to be said: the second biggest injustice done to the lesbian and lesbian community is their LGBTQ connection and connotation. This tie with the LGBTQ protesters is pulling the lesbians and their quest for recognition afield. The fairness that awaits lesbians is drowning in the squirm of the others in their association. This latched-on association with other rights organizations is not to the benefit of the lesbian community. In truth, the LGBTQ is sucking the life from the only righteous quest within this grouping. Lesbianism is not the same as might be the case for the rest; lesbianism has the right to existence, not being sinful. Let me put it in perspective without being apologetic: as with any other trespasses, none of the LGBTQ tendencies are sin. It only becomes sin once a person acts on the preference. Lesbianism, even the physical act, however, does not constitute sin—as will be proven. A message to lesbians: take heed, disassociate from the LGBTQ rights activist groups, and the fight of acceptance of lesbianism is halfway won.

Note that mostly lesbian-related issues are addressed herein. The discussion can only revolve around lesbians because what is sauce for the goose is not sauce for the gander here. What is proposed for the one won’t fit the other. It is the situation that life is not equal, as will be shown here, an inequality that for once works in favor of lesbians.

Besides the main problem of unjustified prejudices against lesbianism, the other issue working against lesbianism is the incorrect terminology used in dealing with sex. Sex has a specific meaning. The broad application and use of the specific term sex, in other situations out of its original context, is part and parcel of the problem that we have today. In all the other areas in which the term sex is used out of context, those areas each have their precise language and don’t need this oversimplification. Using the term sex across all boards and all subjects has created misperception. Each field requires (and has) their own subject-specific terminology. Intersubject use of the word sex led to an incorrect understanding and loss of the word’s real meaning and reference point. In doing so, the unwary audience are not having a respectable comprehension of sex. The exclusive purpose but general application of the sex terminology voided the essence of it. This broad application of the word sex outside its origins lies at the core of the abuse against lesbians. It led to modern misconceptions, and abuse followed, not only of the written word but also of people. Therefore, throughout this script, words—with reference to sex—are used stricter and following its proper meaning. It is also advocated that there should be diligent and disciplined use of words in their strict definition only. In doing so, that will bring back perspective on various other subjects. Terminology must be used each within its category. Revert to purism and all of the misunderstanding and confusion will dissipate. To this end, the word sex must exclusively be used and reserved for male-female intercourse only. The word sodomy must exclusively be used and reserved for intermale intercourse. The term bestiality must be reserved and exclusively used for either male- or female-beast interaction and, last but not least, female intimacy for the love affair between females bordering on intercourse. The terminology of female intimacy must be used by those who feel the urge to describe the intimately involved love affair between women.

This clarity is also needed to differentiate between people. There are other people who are, by definition, also called lesbians even if they are not being intimately involved with women! They are lesbian sympathizers, but by definition, they are also called lesbians. Keeping with the basics will restore rationality, and this is a call on everyone for a return to certainty and order (i.e., the birds and the bees don’t have sex). Animals don’t have sex. Animals breed and mate. Only a man and a woman have sex.

Sex is an act between humans and does not cross into the borders of breeding. Mammals don’t have sex; they mate. In humans, that is procreating; and sex is an act with elements of love, fun, and bonding qualities, over and above childbearing.

Take the role of a sexologist as an example. It is a person concerned with the study of human sexual life and intimate relationships: humans, sex. One does not call on a sexologist when the ram and ewe have mating difficulties. The sex that a sexologist deals with is the sex between humans. Let’s keep our terminology true to its bearing, as it is most relevant here.

Basics

Far from thinking flashing credentials are to impress, but how can it not, when this theme will settle for nothing less? The theme requires, rather demands, authority and credibility from one to voice and challenge a belief system. Without credentials, this quest might be lost before even setting sail. History has had its say, resounding from a time not too long ago, reverberating prejudicial resentment for too long. Emanating from all sides, males loudest of them all. I cannot speak about things not of men, unless considered properly qualified to this end.

Be assured, as the outcome will reveal, my contribution presented without bias, with objectivity, worthy of the expressions herein I will make—honed focus I proclaim, the motivation on the subject is an educated one, edification here so much in need.

Thus, these accolades serve no more than setting the stage; I come with teachings, actually nothing new to man. Degrees on paper I have and other experiences paper cannot tell. Jack of many trades made me master of one. Catching, soaring dandelion seeds, collecting all the flying ones, dandelion once again be seen. Confirm the teachings, reconcile the doctrines, one perspective rises, that must with all coincide. The time has come, the stars align, serving our spirit, body, and mind.

Achievements, not the source to boast; I only seek to make known my strengths as I compete with history on this stance. To succeed, I need to squall prejudices and establish concrete evidence displacing current errors. Bias will blind an inquisitive mind, preventing liberation and truth from entering.

When I say truth, then I mean the truth and nothing but the truth.

Herewith the accolades: A commissioner of oaths and notary I am, but I cannot attest to my own work myself. According to its plan, this work’s authenticity shall stand on biblical pillars; its origins from the vestibules it stems. My credentials all served a purpose, empowered my revelations, enabling prognosis yes it may: my list, not so short, yet effective I dare to say. Some humble, others not so meek. Good wine I first shall serve: an advocate to the High Court of South Africa I am, a successful litigant in several international courts, state prosecutor in the Department of Justice, maintenance and child welfare official, marriage officer, and, surely not the least, a marriage counselor. Friend to a fair share of lesbians. Bible investigator and interpreter. Wine producer. Realist/Pragmatist. Author.

All these things, one way or another, linked to the subject. Even the wine. Wine always served to ease the mind, even so in the kappa of physical attractions. Understand the art of wine and one understands the art of the heart. In this instance, the lesbian heart.

For the skeptical, I confirm with no pious group I affiliate. Not to say that I am not devout. Au contraire, I regard myself as above average educated on biblical-relevant and Bible-only teachings. As the author of a three-hundred-page biblical glossary and study manual acutely refined me on the instructions within. Let it be known, Christianism forms the basis, the very essence, of this premise and work.

Principles I must have, a scale of measure, a basis without which I could not advance.

Take cognizance, this account cuts deep through social and economic groups, from ancient times till today. Since Christian principles are at play, this work is only relevant within that sphere (or in other areas where the same biblical principles are welcomed). There might be other religions with different views, and each to their own. To everyone this might cater not, not if your faith is with a dissimilar foundation. Neither am I educated in all religions. I still hope this work will bring other faiths the same reprieve and alleviate lesbian and bisexual women of this undue burden. You decide how much relief this provides. Consider it in the context of thy conviction. Notwithstanding my lack of knowledge in other religions, I venture on a few different beliefs, substantiating or proving the point.

Within the above credentials, I trust you find the merit and justification supporting this guidance. Witness the rebirth of a classical approach, leading the way in understanding the modern misconceptions encapsulating lesbians and their married bisexual others.

In addition to my credentials, I am exposed to a larger field of experience. If it were not for these varied fields of study in the various disciplines, I would not have come to draw the understanding and clarity on the subject. The confirmation taught by and learned from each of these disciplines, which I now see as fields of specialization, enables me to prudently report. Educations helped me to bring together the teachings from them all, centered in one script. This centralization assisted me in my growing certainty of correctness. I understood that should the various disciplines’ confluence arrive at one conclusion, then this work would encapsulate the essence and the truth.

What remains would be for others to get on board and be one in mind henceforth.

The avenues herein explored are religion, civil law, ecclesiastical views, canon law, and international law; and I measure against what the Bible ordains. Each avenue is explored, justification sought in there. In the end, one conclusion sought, not one merit in opinion but one rooted in fact. If not proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, this work would fail in its initiation, a stillborn baby it will be.

How did my background converge on this path? This general question is of the essence. No particular branch on its own brought about a clear vision. None had a focus on the field of concern herein needed to expose the fraud. Clarity converged over time. My contact with people I dealt with on aspects that affected them on life traumas was one such avenue. When I interacted with lesbians on this subject, it was less religious because religion was the source chastising them. It was a religion that taught it is an abomination and that prevented them from reconciling with God; thus, my connection with lesbians on a ministerial position was less often. Funny enough, within the Bible lies the resolve.

Lesbianism, being a sin, was an aspect continually bothering me during my life, not sitting well with my sense of justice because it did not coincide with biblical and/or legal conviction. My observation of the relevant verses in the Scriptures required confirmation, for which I could not find the affirmation. In my biblical reflection, I sought the proof that is mandatory to confirm lesbianism as a sin. The supporting evidence must be there for that interpretation to succeed; that evidence, that basis was absent. It was not there to be found, I learned. Without the necessary foundation, I realized that there could not be a deduction that the Scripture referred by way of interpretation to lesbianism. This realization on its own was, however, never enough for me to speak up.

Furthermore, it is more difficult to prove something that does not exist than proving something that does exist. Who am I to question the teachings of the oh-so-holy churches on what I thought affected an unknown few? I didn’t even know any lesbians in the beginning.

Things changed and took both shape and urgency when the mother of E crossed my life’s path. Here this older woman and mother were. Soul bound, conflicted. Her daughter a lesbian; they speak no more. Please give this parcel to my daughter. Her eyes were full of sorrow, speaking heartbroken. My daughter has parted with God. Her lesbian nature brought about the divide. Her soul lost. How can my soul rest with such a loss?

I would be drawn to incidents such as this, telling my senses something is mistaken. A crime it was said the church, everybody around me nodding their head, confirming it as such. I am alone; I must then be the one in the