Self-esteem, wellbeing, loyalty, respect, interdependence

Rev. Steve Chalke of Oasis UK wrote about the church and homosexuality. He wrote it because the British gov't will soon push for marriage equality. He wants to stress that the church should be for inclusion.

If we want gay kids to avoid promiscuity (and we do) we need to offer them the opportunity of a permanent, stable relationship based on love, respect, and security. The church should model positive relationships and not condemn gay kids to celibacy, loneliness, secrecy, and fear.

Chalke reviews the Biblical evidence regarding homosexuality. He does this by also tracing the Biblical view of women and slavery. Then he discusses the difference between exegesis and hermeneutics. The first is about teasing the meaning out of a text while the second is about placing the text within its original culture and social perceptions.

Here is my question. Shouldn't we take the same principle that we readily apply to the role of women, slavery, and numerous other issues, and apply it our understanding of permanent, faithful, homosexual relationships? Wouldn't it be inconsistent not to?

Chalke is aware that the high rate of suicide by gays is driven by anti-gay attitudes, propped up by the church.

Rather than condemn and exclude, can we dare to create an environment for homosexual people where issues of self-esteem and wellbeing can be talked about; where the virtues of loyalty, respect, interdependence and faithfulness can be nurtured, and where exclusive and permanent same-sex relationships can be supported?