Homosexuality and Christianity
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The millennial debate about the varieties of human sexual desire, records of which can be found starting with some of the earliest writings surviving from antiquity, has also been preserved in some of the texts later gathered and included in the Christian Bible.
Their possible interpretations are still being debated, and the question of whether homosexuality is moral or a sin has become a matter of intense theological debate among Christians. Many sects have experienced deep divisions over the topic, most notably the Anglican Communion upon the ordination of Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the world's third largest Christian denomination.
Conversely, resistance to religion-related condemnation of and "spiritual violence" (as it is termed by groups such as Soulforce) against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people has grown from the few isolated voices of past centuries into a social movement defending the right of all people to express their sexuality in a manner that is natural for that individual.
Although the historically prevalent view among Christians was to regard homosexual intercourse as sinful, it is likewise true that they did not have the concept of a natural homosexual orientation. The belief in most previous societies was that they were attracted to both genders.
Christian positions vary on Biblical interpretations, and as a consequence ethical guidelines regarding homosexuality also vary, as is evident between the world's two most populous denominations: the Anglican Communion (77 million) and the Roman Catholic Church (1.1 billion). Christians such as the Anglican Communion's leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, regard same-sex relationships as moral since the Bible does not mention a homosexual orientation, arguing that the denunciations, often under the presumption of it being unnatural are applicable to heterosexuals in light of scientific findings that it is natural for a minority of humans. Those who believe homosexuality is sinful interpret certain bible passages as condemning of all same-sex intercourse, often equating homosexuality as unnatural, as argued by the Roman Catholic Church's leader, Pope Benedict XVI.
Overview
Christianity
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Many Christian denominations hold that homosexuality is a sin. Most Christians would emphasise that they only condemn homosexual intercourse. Such sex (as opposed to the persons themselves) was condemned in Christian writings such as the "Summa Theologica", and in the revelations of saints such as (for example) St. Hildegard von Bingen (Bingen, 278-279), whose book "Scivias" includes quotes which she said were from God, in which any sexual acts between two men or between two women are condemned. Hence the traditional views on the subject, which are still adhered to by most denominations.
Other Christians dissent from the traditional condemnation of homosexuality. Among Protestants, fundamentalist views are generally strongest in the United States and Africa, while American Catholics are typically more liberal than Catholics elsewhere.
Christian theologians who do not believe homosexuality to be a sin argue that fundamentalists have misinterpreted the pertinent Bible passages or quoted them selectively. For example, they consider the original Hebrew in Leviticus to be ambiguous as to whether "male" means adult man or little boy. They also point out that Leviticus also condemns many other things that modern Christians do, including getting haircuts, eating shellfish, wearing fabrics made from two different fibers (e.g., wool/cotton blends), and planting two crops in a single field.
Some apologists make a distinction between "moral" codes and "purity" (or "ritual") codes in Leviticus and say that the purity codes no longer apply but that the moral codes (including the prohibition against homosexuality) remain binding. Jews hold the Bible actually makes no distinction between morality and purity, and that the rules were generated in such a way that following the purity laws would lead to ethical behavior. However, Christians do not believe that the purity code prohibitions apply to them because these codes have been superseded by the sacrifice of Jesus. On the other hand, Christians do believe that the moral codes still apply. Thus much of the debate centers on whether homosexuality falls within the category of a purity code or a moral code. Liberal Christians argue that since the prohibition against homosexuality appears in a list of purity codes, this prohibition is equally irrelevant to Christians. Traditional Christians, on the other hand, consider the Levitical condemnation of homosexuality to remain in force, because they believe it is reinforced elsewhere in the Bible, including the New Testament, as well as in the later revelations to the mystic-saints. Conservative Christians often argue that while the Law of Moses as a whole is not binding today, many of the commands, such as against murder, adultery, theft are also in the Law of Christ, which is binding today, as is the command against homosexuality.Answers in Genesis article
There is criticism of this stance within the ranks of Christians themselves. These critics point out the case of the Southern Baptist Convention for example, one of the most conservative denominations in the United States. The church came into existence in 1845 and was against abolition of slavery in the 19th century, citing biblical support for slave ownership. The church was against universal suffrage in the 20th century, citing biblical support for male ascendancy over women. In the 21st century, the church stands against gay rights. All of these positions are criticized as being based on a narrow interpretation of the Bible, obeying the letter while going against the spirit of the Christian teachings. However, conservatives argue that the above line of reasoning could be used to dismiss literally every prohibition and commandment found in the Bible, and therefore has no place in the present debate. Conservatives also argue that it's a selective interpretation of history, and point out that one of the strongest proponents of women's suffrage in the USA was the fundamentalist and Democrat William Jennings Bryan, while evangelicals such as William Wilberforce were the leaders of slavery abolition in the UK. Proponents of the view that homosexuality is not a sin would likewise argue that those views started as minority movements that grew into a majority and draw analogy between their support of gay-rights to previous leaders against slavery among others.
Historical Dissent
In previous centuries, especially during the Renaissance, there were a few published critics of the Christian teachings on homosexuality, despite the fact that criticism of the Church was considered heretical and sometimes punished by various penalties.
An early - and anonymously published - Italian text, L'Alcibiade fanciullo a scola, published in 1652, denounces the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as a fiction made up by the Hebrew elders. In France, a similar text, Histoire de Dom Bougre, Portier des Chartreux, written in 1741, mocks biblical injunctions and extols same-sex love, as does Voltaire's The Bible finally explained, in 1776. It was followed by the Marquis de Sade who in his Dialogue entre un prêtre et un moribond of 1782 denounces religious (and other morality codes) as "man-made." In England, the pseudo-Byronian poem Don Leon (written in the voice of Byron but of uncertain authorship, published in 1866) vehemently denounced the abusive treatment inflicted on homosexuals as based on a dubious tale,
- I grant that casuists the Bible quote,
- And tell us how God’s tardy vengeance smote
- Lot’s native town with brimstone from the sky,
- To punish this impure delinquency,
- Unmindful that the drunkard’s kiss defiled
- (Whilst yet the embers smoked), his virgin child.
- But reason doubts the Jewish prophet’s tale.
Biblical passages referenced in the debate
The Bible has been used by people on both sides of the debate to justify their views. Passages from the Bible are commonly cited to illustrate specific points, perhaps most famously Leviticus 18.
- Main article: The Bible and homosexuality
Homosexuality and choice in Christianity
Many Christians view homosexual intercourse as a sin. Many feel that, because engaging in homosexual intercourse is generally a choice, that engaging in it is a sin regardless of other factors (such as the nature of homosexuality). To many other christians, their beliefs on the nature of homosexuality have an affect on their views of homosexual intercourse (and, some argue, vice versa).
While many Christians feel it is homosexual intercourse, rather than attraction, that is sinful; many also believe that homosexual orientation is also a choice, or unnatural, and changeable. Some Christians actually believe that if homosexual orientation is not a choice then it should be accepted according to Galatians 3:28 (because the verse can be interpreted as reffering to attributes that are not freely chosen). This idea has found its expression in the Christian ex-gay movement, which publicizes cases of people who have purpotedly walked away from homosexuality, often through faith. However, no long-term scientific peer-reviewed study has been conducted as to the effectiveness of such programs that make such claims.
While, again, most Christians make a distiction between intercourse and attraction, some argue that, because of free will, people have a choice about who they are attracted to. Many argue that homosexual people can change or be "healed" of their homosexuality. Other Christians argue that everyone is of a heterosexual orientation by nature and that homosexuals as such do not exist.
It is important to note that homosexual orientation being a free choice is rejected by most psychologists (although there are notable exceptions. See Robert Skinner, for example). Most scientists and homosexual people also feel homosexuality is not a choice. Some Christians agree with the view that orientation is not a choice, but argue that acting on that orientation is nevertheless sinful. In these cases, most Christians who condemn homosexual intercourse would not condemn homosexual orientation, but would advocate a life of celibacy for those who have that orientation. One counterargument to this point of would be to point out that in Matthew 5:28, Jesus condemns not only the act of adultery but also adulterous sexual desire that is not acted upon. By extension, it could be argued that (for example) a man who looks lustfully at another man (i.e. has homosexual orientation) has already committed homosexual sin in his heart. The same restriction would also apply of course to a heterosexual man looking at a woman with lust in his heart.
Christian arguments in favor of the acceptance homosexuality
Other Fundamentalists, on the other hand, have revised their view in recognition of the fact that gay teenagers are three times as likely to commit suicide as other teenagers, and that many gay teenagers come from Christian homes (see Teach Ministries). Many further recognize that so-called "ex-gay" persons are frequently of bisexual orientation, and that because of their erotic attraction to both genders, they are sometimes able to live in a heterosexual relationship.
Of course one can argue that if the orientation is not a choice then it is part of God's design for humans and therefore the act of two men or women loving one another must also be part of that plan. It would be highly illogical to imagine God making homosexuals but then forbidding them from acting on their orientation. It would make no more sense for homosexual persons to choose to be heterosexual than it would be for heterosexual persons to choose to be homosexual. Both choices would be against their true nature, whether the orientation is "chosen" or a result of a combination of factors (discussed in more detail below). They argue that since the Bible condemns acting against one's own nature that it would be sinful for a homosexual person to have heterosexual intercourse and that the Bible is silent on homosexual orientation as well as homosexuals having homosexual intercourse. Opponents argue that since in the Christian viewpoint the way people are born is not necessarily a perfect state. People can be born, or grow up with, strong urges to steal or lie compulsively, and these traits are not to be encouraged.
They further argue that to deny people the right to express sexual love with another human being in the manner with which God endowed them is not an act of compassionate love and unnatural. Many theologically liberal Christians agree and believe that God wishes for each person who has a desire for a consensual romantic and sexual relationship to fulfill it. There are even conservative Christians who have come to a new understanding that homosexual relationships that are loving and empowering are within God's design (From Wounded Hearts).
Further debate
Issues of interpretation
Liberal Christians argue that Jesus explicitly condemned divorce—equating it with adultery in the Sermon on the Mount—but never forbade homosexuality; so they call it hypocritical for fundamentalist to criticize homosexuality more based on vague passages when it is clear that divorce is a sin. Also, rather than interpreting the term "adultery" in the Ten Commandments to mean any sex outside of marriage, they interpret it to mean sexual betrayal of a spouse, which would make the prohibition irrelevant to sex between unmarried persons, including unmarried homosexuals.
It is worth noting that the Leviticus passages only specifically mention male homosexual intercourse. Paul's letter to the Romans is the only place in the Bible where female homosexual intercourse is specifically mentioned. It should also be observed that in respect of sexual conduct, Leviticus passages tend to speak euphemistically, rather than offering explicit reference to physical postures and actions. For example, Lev 18:6-17 repeats with each verse the phrase uncover the nakedness of, rather than explain exactly what is meant.
Modern readers often understand Leviticus as prohibiting homosexuality as such. But homosexual orientation denoting same-sex love, homoerotic feelings and sexual intercourse at the same time, is not a concern of Leviticus at all. The biblical expression "lie with someone" may be a euphemism for the act of penetration. Therefore, non-penetrative sex was never considered to be unlawful by the Jewish law. "The Talmud understands the Torah's interdiction in Leviticus 18 and 20 to be limited to male/male anal intercourse. Other male/male non-penetrative sexual practices, such as intercrural intercourse, are included in the category of masturbation—a category that is condemned instead as "destruction of seed." To phrase the matter in contemporary language, the issue at stake in Leviticus and its later Talmudic interpretation is proper gender-role differentiation, not orientation or object choice. The text does not address the issue of homosexuality as that issue typically is framed in our conversations today" (Daniel Boyarin “Are there any Jews in ‘The History of Sexuality’?”, Journal of the History of Sexuality, vol. 5 no. 3 (1995) 337-39).
Resistance to human rights and science
Individuals active in the human rights movement sometimes allege a pattern of religiously based (and Biblically rationalized) resistance to expansion of the sphere of human rights. The Unitarian Universalist Rev. Dr. Barry M. Andrews, in a recent essay supporting same-sex marriage, compares resistance to it to the resistance to abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, and the end of anti-miscegenation laws. As he says, ... we know that these civil rights were opposed at one time by a majority of Americans, including churches and the government. Nevertheless much support for the anti-slavery movement, the anti-apartheid movement and the American civil rights movement did come from Christian churches but they always started as minorities as well. Persons active in science also allege a pattern of religiously based resistance comparing previous actions, such as the persecution of Galileo Galilei and dogmatic opposition to evolution, to current research and majority view on sexual orientation not being a choice.Controversy over Biblical terminology
The term most often alleged to be associated with homosexuals in the Bible is “arsenokoitēs” (Greek: αρσενοκοιτης), meaning ‘male who has coitus with a male’ (Greek αρρην/αρσην arrhēn/arsēn = male). It has been suggested that the term comes from the Greek (Septuagint) translation of Leviticus 18:22: "και μετα αρσενος ου κοιμηθηση κοιτην γυναικος βδελυγμα γαρ εστιν" ("kai meta arsenos ou koimēthēsē koitēn gunaikos bdelugma gar estin") - meaning, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination". Many scholars believe that the Apostle Paul chose this specific term rather than making use of the more common terms from Greek culture in order to make a direct reference to Leviticus.
St. John Chrysostom, in the 4th century, uses the term "arsenokoitai" in relation to men having sex with boys (the most common form of homosexuality in the ancient world, especially in Greek cultures). St. John the faster, Patriarch of Constantinople (John IV, 582-595) makes the statement: "some men even commit the sin of arsenokoitai with their wives" (referring to the act of sodomy (anal sex) between a man and wife).
The passage in Leviticus 18:22 itself has been the topic of dispute. In the original Hebrew, the entire phrase is "V'et zachar lo tishkav mishk'vey eeshah toeyvah hee". The crucial and disputed portion is "lo tishkav": the literal meaning of this phrase is somewhat ambiguous, but its usage can be seen in verses such as Genesis 19:34, 26:10, 30:15-16, 34:2, 35:22, 39:7; Exd 22:16, 22:19, and so forth, where it is always employed to refer to sexual intercourse.
Positions of specific denominations
(These are covered in-depth at List of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality; what follows here summarizes that page)
- The Seventh-day Adventist Church views homosexual intercourse and relationships sinful.
- The Anglican Communion is presently divided. In North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and southern Africa, most Anglican bishops view homosexuality as moral with some congregations ordaining non-celibate gay clergy and performing same-sex union commitment ceremonies. In the majority of Africa and the West Indies, homosexuality is considered sinful. Official communion-wide policies state that homosexuality is acceptable for laypersons but clergy are expected to be chaste.
- The Southern Baptist Convention views homosexuality sinful. They believe homosexuals can choose chastity, that homosexual orientation does not exist and only heterosexual orientation is natural.
- The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists regards homosexuality as moral.
- Eastern Orthodox Christianity sees all sexuality as something belonging to mans fallen nature, therefore virginity is prized. But because it is unreasonable to imagine everyone becoming a Monk or Nun, the Church allows (heterosexual) marriage affirming that Love covers a multitude of sin. Some churches are more outspoken against homosexuality. At the Fourth All-American Council (1976) The Orthodox Church in America condemned homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia and violence, and exhorted the sanctity of marriage and human life as well as the preservation of moral values as taught in Holy Scripture. These resolutions that were then adopted by the Holy Synod.
- Jehovah's Witnesses consider homosexual intercourse to be sinful. Members of Jehovah's Witnesses practice abstinence from homosexual sex, but also request that homosexuals be respected.
- Lutheranism
- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is currently evaluating its policy on homosexual ordination with the next scheduled debate in 2009. Current policy allows homosexual ordination, but requires sexual abstinence (whether heterosexual or homosexual). LGBT individuals are allowed. During the national meeting in 2005 delegates voted against a measure that would have allowed non-celibate gay ordination and the blessing of same-sex unions by a 503 against to 490 in favor margin.
- The United Methodist Church officially views homosexual behavior as, "...incompatible with Christian teaching..." and supports, "...laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman." (Book of Discipline 2004, "Social Principles") This has been a contentious debate in the denomination, and there have been several clergy trials throughout the United States, as well as protests at the Church's quadrennial General Conference, though no final ruling removing a non-celibate gay clergyman has happened since the 1980s. The Church also maintains that, "Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth...", (Book of Discipline 2004, "Social Principles") and encourages United Methodists to be in ministry with and for all people.
- The Methodist Church of Great Britain, the third largest religious body in the United Kingdom views homosexuality as moral, ordains non-celibate gay clergy and blesses same-sex unions in a ceremony similar to marriages.
- The Metropolitan Community Church views homosexuality as moral.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("LDS Church"; see also Mormon) views any sexual relationship outside of marriage, between a man and a woman, to be sinful; thus homosexual intercourse are sinful. They do not consider homosexual attractions inherently sinful as long as they are not acted upon. The church sponsors support groups for members with homosexual tendencies. Church doctrine requires heterosexual marriage for entry into the most desirable afterlife. The topic is covered in somewhat more depth in list of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality.
- Presbyterianism
- The Presbyterian Church of the USA, the largest U.S. Presbyterian body, is sharply divided over the issue of homosexuality, allowing gay membership but opposing gay service as ministers or on key church boards.
- The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has debated homosexuality for many years. In 1985 its General Assembly declared "Homosexual acts are sinful." In 2004, they added "this church may not accept ...anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of faithful marriage between a man and a woman," but added the lemma, "In relation to homosexuality... this ruling shall not prejudice anyone, who as at the date of this meeting, has been accepted for training, licensed ordained of inducted."
- The Religious Society of Friends (aka Quakerism) is deeply divided on this issue. The more conservative groups Friends United Meeting and Friends Evangelical Church view it as sinful. Other Friends, such the Friends General Conference, strongly support equal rights for homosexuals and believe homosexuality is moral.
- Roman Catholicism formally views homosexual intercourse and relationships as unnatural, thus sinful. However, it does not consider homosexual attractions sinful without corresponding intercourse, and advocates homosexuals to become celibate (as it does all unmarried persons), enabling them to become clergy. The Catholic Church requires homosexual abstinence from its members, but also requires respect of homosexuals.
- The Unification Church views homosexuality as sinful.
- Unitarian Universalism, views homosexuality as moral.
- The United Church of Canada views homosexuality as moral.
- The United Church of Christ's is deeply divided on this issue. Due to its congregational, covenantal church polity, views on homosexuality vary according to the positions of local churches. Despite a recently publicized 25th General Synod resolution to affirm "Equal marriage rights," [1], these types of resolutions officially speak "to, but not for" the denomination. Some associations permit ordination of non-celibate gay clergy and perform same-sex marriages, and some congregations have declared themselves "open and affirming" (i.e., welcoming congregations). The 25th General Synod has expressed respect for those bodies within the church that disagree and called for all members "to engage in serious, respectful, and prayerful discussion of the covenantal relationship of marriage and equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender."
- The Uniting Church in Australia views homosexuality as moral.
Related topics
- Religion and homosexuality
- History of Early Christianity and Homosexuality
- Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood
Bibliography
- Bates, Stephen (2004). A Church at War: Anglicans and Homosexuality. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 1850434808.
- Boswell, John (1980). Christianity, social tolerance, and homosexuality: Gay people in Western Europe from the beginning of the Christian era to the fourteenth century. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0226067106
- Gagnon, Robert A.J. (2002). The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics. Abingdon Press. ISBN 0687022797
- Harvey, John F., O.S.F.S. (1996). The Truth about Homosexuality: The Cry of the Faithful, introduction by Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R.. Ignatius Press. ISBN 0898705835.
- Helminiak, Daniel A. (2000). "Frequently Asked Questions About Being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender and Catholic" Dignity USA. <<http://www.dignityusa.org/faq.html>>
- Homosexuality and Civilization, by Crompton, Louis, et al.; Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2003. ISBN 067401197X
- Hildegard of Bingen, "Scivias," Columba Hart and Jane Bishop, translators; New York: Paulist Press, 1990
External links
Soulforce -- activists for gay rights in Christian denominations.
- A Page on Homosexuality from Christian Life Resources
- Two-part series by Joseph P. Gudel, Christian Research Journal:
- Homosexuality: Fact and Fiction
- That which is unnatural: Homosexuality in Society, the Church, and Scripture
- A discussion of Christianity and Homosexuality by John Howard Yoder from the University of Notre Dame.
- RobGagnon.net Author and seminary professor's site with many resources, arguing that homosexual behavior is sinful
- Christian response to a homosexual claiming biblical/Christian support for his views
- The disingenuous and anti-Christian nature of "gay rights" rhetoric
- Homosexuality and Christianity does not see homosexuality as a moral sin.
- Homosexuality and the Bible believes the Bible does not condemn homosexuality.
- Gay Christian Online Providing Encouragement, Support, Counseling, and Information for the Gay and Lesbian Christian.
- The Bible and Homosexuality advocates religious tolerance of homosexuality.
- Christianity and Homosexuality from PBS.
- Bible Scholars and religious leaders interpret and debate Scripture's references to homosexuality from PBS.
- Understanding Male Homosexual Problems: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints (A Mormon view of male homosexuality)
- PERSPECTIVES: Homosexuality and the Church
- Living with Tension a position paper on the issue "Homosexuality and the Church" of the Evangelical Church of Germany (in english)
Categories: Articles lacking sources | Articles which may be biased | Christian law | Christian philosophy | Christian viewpoints | LGBT issues and religion
