NBJC Commentary: Gays and Gospel Music

Many years ago, in Chicago, I was befriended by Mahalia Jackson and Sally Martin. I also had George Winfrey for a good friend. Gayness seemed to be taken for granted within the highest gospel circles, although it was rarely, if ever, discussed openly. I certainly never heard a negative comment from Mahalia or Sally, although they were certainly not naive about the sexual preferences of many of the talented musicians around them. George was a brilliant organist and composer who eventually moved to Los Angeles. No one who knew him could have had much doubt about his "lifesyle," or his wonderful musical abilities. It was the latter that seemed to count most. The problem that seemed most important in the distant past of my youth was the influence of drugs and booze, even among gospel musicians. I recall going to the wake and funeral of Dinah Washington, who began her career as a backup singer for Mahalia. The tragedy of her addictions (and that of her husband, Night Train Lane, a great Bears football player) were very much on our minds. Mahalia stood by her coffin and sang, and the whole church fell out. The fascination some of the contemporary clergy have for sex in all its forms seems to me to be a cop-out, a way of avoiding important issues in which it sometimes appears the black church has failed miserably to provide help or a proper emotional underpinning for its members. Certainly narcotics are more prevalent now than they were when we buried Dinah Washington - to name only one problem. Gospel is not only good news, it reflects what is happening in the church, so it really isn't so surprising that some gospel singers are being tormented about their sexuality and responding with hostility when they are denied acceptance. I am sorry for them, but I wish they would not inflict their distress on the rest of us. Foolish wish, really. Artists are going to express themselves and their inner turmoil and confusion are going to be part of that expression. If they follow false prophets, so much the worse for them- and us.

I knew James Cleveland and Bobby Jones were gay. Especially when Bobby Jones once said "Do you think I'm cute." What a waste of manhood. But I've listened to James for many years and I listen to the words of his songs and they meant the world to me. I didn't listen to the singer, I listened to the words and the messages that God was telling me. They've help me a lot.
jojogas

Linda, there is now way to get clean water from a filthy vessel; so no one can receive the promptings of the spirit from an unclean person. Homosexuality is dirty. There is no other way to put it, and for us to try to legitimize it by pretending that it created by God is an outrage. God would not put a Female spirit in a Male body; if so, then his statement that "it is not good that man should be alone, therefore I will make a help meet for him." That help meet was Eve, a woman, not another male.

This is a practice that is introduced into this world by Satan, because he knows that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the only unit that can sustain a society, and the only unit that will exist after this life.

By the same token, God gave us our agency, that is the right to choose our life style here in mortality. If men want to get married, live together with each other, then as long as they keep their wickedness to themselves, then no one should bother. But to try to change the law of God in order to appease the homosexual community, or to appear to be loving and kind to them, is not an option, at least for me.

It's despicable to even think that God would use such people to convey his message to His children. Those men and women who is engaged in this practice needs to know that it is an abomination to indulge in such practice, and those of us who are true followers of Christ should not hesitate to tell them so. If we don't, then their sins will be upon our heads, and the young men and women whose lives they destroy, their blood will be on our hands as well.

I strongly disagree with your comment to Linda regarding her not being able to get anything out of James Cleveland's music. I, too, listen to him and find his music very inspiring.

You see, Nathaniel, God gives us many examples in the Bible where he uses imperfect people for His purpose- yes, that must include the sin of homosexuality. When Paul was still "Saul" he persecuted and caused the death of many Christians, yet God still saw fit to use him.

Yes, homosexuality is "despicable" just like murderers, rapists, liars, thieves, etc. but that is where the beauty of Jesus' death and resurrection comes in- our Savior died for our sins! We don't have to be slaves to sin anymore. We are told in Colossians that they were "nailed to the cross."

Now whether or not James Cleveland did or didn't engage in homosexual acts is not the point, What is important- and what WE DO NOT PERSONALLY KNOW, is what state his soul was in when he left this earthly place. You nor I, nor anyone else has that kind of information. You don't know whether he atoned/asked God's forgiveness or not. The only one who knows whether he was saved or not is God!

I humbly beseech you, sir, to search your own heart and ask yourself why this particular sin seems to really get under your skin. The way you go on about it, I get the impression that there is something more going on than meets the eye. Do you feel this much anger at heterosexuals who sin- who are adulterers? Or what about people who habitually lie and steal? Are they all incapable of redemption?

Be very careful about condemning others- for God may condemn and judge you in the same matter- so says His Word.


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CORRECTION: Last paragraph word should read "manner" not "matter." Thanks!

Ms. Hutcherson;

I was a fan and listener to James Cleveland's music. In June of 1989, James Cleveland did a performance at the University of Utah. Our group, the "Utah Travelers" opened his program for him. I saw Mr. Cleveland close up. I admire his musical abilities. I never suspected that he was a homosexual. I was quiet surprised when I read the article. But I was even more disturbed to read that he possibly molested a young boy and ruined his life.

One point that I want to make clear is that, God is our literal Father. He loves us. Every person on the earth both past and present are his sons and daughters. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is our Savior and redeemer.

My comments about Mr. Cleveland was related to the practice of homosexuality, not his relationship with our Heavenly Father because it was for the sinner that our Lord and Savior came to this earth.

I am not judging Mr. Cleveland. I do know that unless a man repents of his sins he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. This does not only apply to the homosexuals, and I, for one, have never thought so.

I do not agree with you in your supposition that, "whether or not James Cleveland did or didn't engage in homosexual acts is not the point." It is the point. It is what the article was all about; otherwise, we would not be having this conversation. But I am not trying to ascertain whether Mr. Cleveland repented of his sins or not, it is not a matter for me to question. My comments is about the practice of homosexuality, period, not the person.

I am not fixated on this sin. As a matter of fact, I have never written one word about it in any forum what so ever. Nor have I spoken out against it in any presentation. I don't even like addressing the issue because to me, it is a waste of time trying to convince a person to accept or deny something that he or she has chosen to do; unless of course, someone asks me my opinion.

What's troubling is that so many people are acting as though this practice is something that God condones, or that he put into a man or a woman, and therefore, it should be considered as a natural affection, just as a man who desire a woman. This is false and misleading. Homosexuality is an unnatural affection, and therefore should be avoided.

Finally, no legislative act can change natural law. The law of gravity cannot be controlled or changed just because we enact some statute saying that it is so. Man cannot change times and seasons by moving the hands of a clock backward or forward. Neither can we make a law to change the fact that marriage was ordained of God between a man and a woman.

This is the practice that broke the back of the Roman Empire, the Greeks, the Babylonians and Sodom, and if we aren't careful, it will be the very thing that will bring down destruction on the inhabitants of this nation.

It is an offense to God for a man to desire the sexual affection of the same sex. God said that it is not good that man should be alone, and He made a helpmeet for us. She was a woman.

Many of you can recite quotes from the Bible and badmouth how nasty homosexuality is but the bottom line is that God even created the homosexual and there are many men walking amongst us that are men of the cloth claiming to be homophobic but who are homosexuals you will see this come out more and more stop idolizing regular men.

Malorie Garcia.. God created the "man" and the "woman" but homosexuality is a stronghold with satan written all over it. Yes, Christians should not be so harsh on gays. Well, God did destroy and entire city because of it so it's a serious situation. We should walk in love and do as the Bible says, "those of you who are spiritual, restore those who are not" i'm just sayinnnn