Dear Editor,
I am sorry to have to say that Professor Reeves’ well-intentioned letter (June en), and the statement of the Nigerian Christians to which he alludes (April en), seem to me to create unintended and unhelpful confusion.
James 1:13-15 states that the person who experiences desires (whether heterosexual or homosexual) has been tempted. Temptation is not sin. Sin, James teaches, occurs when a person allows the desire to conceive (v.15). With reference to the present discussion, allowing the desire to conceive would mean deliberately indulging in lustful thoughts (‘adultery in the heart,’ in our Lord’s words: Matt.5:28) or, of course, in some physical act. It makes no difference at all whether the context is one of homosexuality or heterosexuality. But simply finding someone (of either sex) attractive is not in itself sinful.
