EDITORIAL

Since 1950, Anglo-American Churches in America and England have shown increasing awareness of the moral problems raised by the presence of homosexuals, male and female, in their midst. There is nothing new about this condition. Homosexuality has not just recently come into existence, though it seems to have come more into public awareness. But since Justinian's time, most Churches have ignored the subject, or reacted hysterically, in mortal fear of fire and brimstone. Liberal or compassionate opinions, if any, were expressed in secret.

A few Churches are now in a limited way re-evaluating the rigid premises on the basis of which they have for so long cast stones of condemnation at homophiles. The gratifying resolutions of the Church of England, of British Methodists, Quakers and Roman Catholics, and now of the United Church of Canada, as well as individual statements by several American ministers, pointing out that homosexuality is not of necessity a sinful condition, and that homosexual acts, while perhaps sinful, ought not be prosecuted by the state where not involving minors, force or public indecency, do much to repair the serious rift that has come between homophiles and religion in our society.

Does this rift need repair? From the Christian viewpoint, where it really is Christian, homophiles would need the Church's healing ministry as much as any group, and perhaps more, where they suffer as outcasts. For those homophiles who honestly feel no need of religion, there is no personal problem, other than concern for friends caught on this demoralizing dilemma. Non-religious persons may even feel that any situation which points up the shortcomings of religion in modern society, and which turns people against such superstitions, is ultimately to the good. ONE is non-partisan in such disputes as between Christian and agnostic, Republican and Democrat. Our concern is with helping homophiles to live happier, better lives. And most homophiles we come across seem currently convinced that they do need religion, and specifically need acceptance by the Church of their choice.

A chill, Pauline atmosphere, charged more with guarding the faithful from contamination by sinners than with Christianity's historic mission to sinners, has made homophiles conspicuously unwelcome in most churches-Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian, whatever. Many remain in the churches anyhow, generally living a lie, their strong religious impulse

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