a member in good standing with your family unit and, thereby, in all of society. It stands to reason he or she can't be true to himself if bluffing becomes part of his make-up. Values are bound to weaken.

A long-term homosexual relationship is a truly beautiful thing. It is living proof of a love surmounting tremendous odds. To begin with, the church does not sanction it; it doesn't have the

as yet alliance of society and children will never bless it. Only love (and it must be strong) can weld the homosexual union. Perhaps you wonder how God can honor such a union in which the blessing of offspring is lacking and you feel sure sure that the purpose of marriage is implicitly for this. Yet, how many marriages do we know that have not been so blessed? But this opens a whole area of discussion and cannot be dealt with in one article.

It may be said here that forcing the homosexual to marry does not correct the aberration and it does not insure offspring. Or, as in one case I know, a lesbian friend was persuaded by her parents to marry. She did. Soon afterward a son was born to her. But the joy of her parents was only half-lived. Her true nature was playing havoc. As a result her husband became an alcoholic. Fortunately she met woman with whom she fell in love, got a divorce from the father of her child and went to live with the woman. The true reasons for divorce never came out in court and she wa awarded custody of her son. The child of course, is destined to live without knowing, or having, the full fathermother relationship. Perhaps some of you think that your son or daughter will become reconciled to the heterosexual marriage when once the plunge is made. But if it doesn't turn out that way, are we being fair to the possible offspring?

A homosexual fellow once told me

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that he always felt he was cheating his mother and dad. "How?" I asked. "I feel I don't give, or know quite how to give something of myself," he said. "I think it's because I can't tell them anything and share the important things with them. Naturally when I'm with them I'm not completely happy. What else have I to give without it?"

Keep in mind that it is not a sin your son or daughter is guilty of committing. It is not as if he were simply a wayward child, obeying a caprice when the feeling strikes him; being obstinate and "fashionably different." These are sophomoric characteristics and not to be confused with the true homosexual who is the way he IS and the way he MUST be. If he or she faces a reprimand for debaucheries you may be sure opprobrium will be paid. But I sincerely believe that the number of debauchees, homosexual or heterosexual, might be greatly reduced if family esprit were practiced more.

Whether the phenomenon of homosexuality is acquired or inherent has never been proven, despite conflicting professional opinions. I choose to think that environment and heredity is one house, heredity the structure; environment the decor. Both are conducive to each other and are an integral part of the Big Plan. But this is the author's opinion, intended merely as an illustration. Whether this view is right or wrong is of no concern here. What does matter and a great deal -is a true family unity in spite of deviations.

Contrary to popular thinking then, and contrary to scientific theories, we would do well to follow the dictates of our own God-given conscience and intelligence. It is time to put God back in the pulpit and science back into the congregation. In society as it is today, it is up to you first and foremost, both as a parent and an individual. You owe it to yourself and to your family.

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