Note that this information is correct as of my discovery of it. If you find anything in error, please let me know, give me a source for the new information so I can confirm your correction and update the site. Religious Groups' Attitudes Toward Homosexuals and Homosexuality Conflicts between Organized Religion and Society The points of greatest tension between Christianity and secular society appear to be related to human sexuality: abortion, bisexuality, erotic and pornographic material, homosexuality, premarital sex, married clergy, female clergy, sex-education, availability of condoms, debate over which types of families should be accepted as families, defined roles for men and women, and even the existence of free (nudist) beaches. Of these, perhaps only abortion is more divisive than the debate over sexual orientation. Sexual orientation relates to feelings. It defines who a person finds to be sexually attractive. Human sexuality researchers, professional organizations and liberal relgious groups appear to have reached the consensus that: heterosexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality are normal, natural variations of sexual orientation, found throughout all societies and cultures sexual orientation is determined before a child reaches school age sexual orientation for many (perhaps most) is genetically predetermined at conception sexual orientation in adults is unchangeable a continuum exists between homosexual and heterosexual orientation; a minority of people have a bisexual orientation through effort, prayer and counselling, an adult's behaviour can be changed: the possibility of leading a celibate life is open to all bisexuals can lead celibate lives or can decide to confine their sexual interaction with same sex or opposite sex people Many conservative Christian churches have reached a different consensus, that: homosexual behaviour is evil, sick, disordered and abnormal only heterosexual behaviour is ordained by God; homosexual and bisexual behaviour are sins sexual orientation is a choice that a person makes sexual orientation is determined by upbringing, (perhaps by parenting) not by genes ssexual orientation can be changed during adulthood ssexual behaviour can be changed; homosexuals (for example) can decide to remain celibate, or seek sexual relationships with either males or females one is either homosexual or straight   Main-line and liberal churches typically hold positions between these two extremes. The conflicts between medical science and conservative Christianity are obvious.   Internal Church Conflicts There are some interesting theological questions relating to homosexuality and bisexuality: if one believes in an "intrusive" God who micro-manages everyone's life, and if at least some people's sexual orientation is decided at conception, then why does God create so many homosexuals? What is His purpose for doing so? By what right can we reject a whole grouping of people created by God? if one believes that God is all powerful, and that God answers prayer, then why have the earnest prayers of homosexuals always been ignored? Some devout gay and lesbian Christians have begged God for years to make them "straight" without success. if homosexual orientation is a natural condition for a minority of people (just as heterosexual orientation is natural for the majority), and God has given to most people the ability to love and desire marriage, then shouldn't all people be allowed to marry, independent of their orientation?   Incidence of Homosexuality within Churches Members and leaders of some conservative Christian churches believe that they have few or no members or staff who are homosexuals. Evangelicals Concerned, a group which believes that there is no conflict between Biblical faith and a committed, monogamous homosexual relationship, believe the opposite: that gays and lesbians are as common within conservative churces as within the general population. (1) There is really no way to collect accurate statistics on the prevalence of homosexuality within churches. Both members and employees would be reluctant to reveal their orientation because they would fear being expelled if they came out of "the closet". One interesting statistic comes from Love & Action, an Evangelical agency which ministers to persons with AIDS. They went into about a dozen Christian colleges during 1990 and offered confidential counselling to those who were struggling with homosexual feelings. About 4% of students signed up. They estimate the total number of such students to be at least 8%, presumably because of fear of being exposed and a lack of trust in the agency. These data would indicate that the prevalence of homosexual orientation might be higher in Christian colleges than in the general population. (1)   Christian Churches' Policies on Homosexuality Each Christian denomination, sect or new religious movement has policies which define their beliefs and treatment of homosexuals and bisexuals: A. whether to allow known, active homosexuals to become and remain church members with full privileges. (All churches, of course, have many homosexual members and clergy who are deep in the "closet"; their sexual orientation is not openly known, so they "pass" as straight). B. whether to allow celibate homosexuals to be ordained or to hold other positions of power in the organization C. whether to allow active gays and lesbians to be ordained or to hold other positions of power D. whether to provide a formal religious ceremony recognizing gay and lesbian committed relationships E. whether to have an active program to reduce homophobia within the denomination   Churches currently hold different views. Many denominations are gradually changing their positions to a more inclusive stance. We are unaware of any religious groups going in the opposite direction. Information is available as follows: Name of Church A. Allows to be active church members. B. Allows celibate gays to be ordained or hold power C. Allows active gays to be ordained or hold power D. Provides formal religious committment ceremony E. Active program to reduce homophobia Anglican Church* yes yes no no yes Southern Baptist Conv. no no no no no Church of Christ no unknown no no no Latter Day Saints (Mormons) no unknown no no no Episcopal yes yes no no yes Evangelical Lutheran yes yes no no no Metropolitain Comm. yes yes yes yes yes Presbyterian USA unknown no no no policy no Roman Catholic yes yesÝ no no no Unification no no no no no Unitarian-Unvers. yes yes yes yes yes United Church yes yes yes yes yes United Church* yes yes yes no yes Unity Church yes yes yes no no * Indicates Canadian denomination; the remainder are US organizations. ÝNote that celibacy is a requirement for those gay or straight. What does the Future Hold within Christendom? Many gays and lesbians remain partially or completely in the "closet". They often find the Church as the last place that they would want to "come out", because of the fear of rejection and homophobia. This is unfortunate, because the most effective way of changing a heterosexual's beliefs about homosexuality is for them to meet a homosexual. This is a Catch 22 situation. If you are a heterosexual and know a gay male or lesbian, we suggest that you talk to them about their sexual orientation and the attitude of your church(es). If you do not know such a person, we recommend that you read a letter from a gay person to his church council. It might help you to empathize with the pain felt by devout Christian homosexuals.   We predict that over the next few decades, most Christian denominations will gradually accept the following beliefs: a continuum of sexual orientation exists, from heterosexual to bisexual to homosexual adult sexual orientation is unchangeable orientation is determined genetically in some people at the time of conception. sexual orientation in adulthood is established by early childhood. since sexual orientation is not a matter of choice, homosexual and bisexual feelings are not sinful. Eventually, all churches are expected to follow the lead of the United Churches, Unitarian-Universalist churches, Neo-Pagan and some Native faiths. They will accept gays, lesbians and bisexuals as full members and as ligible for the clergy. As with many previous issues of social change, from the abolition of slavery to birth control to women's rights, the liberal churches will lead; Fundamentalist churches will be the last to convert. Eventually, sexual orientation will become a non-issue. Discrimination against minority sexual orientations will be perceived as institutional hatred, and totally incompatible with the Gospel message. Unfortunately, this process will take many decades to complete. In the meantime, much suffering and many suicides will be experienced by the gay, lesbian and bisexual community, and gay-bashing will remain at a high level.   Jewish Groups Jewish groups tend to mirror Christian denominations, ranging from liberal to conservative: Orthodox Jews regard homosexual behaviour as "an abomination" Conservative Jews did not tackle the issue until 1990, when the Central Conference of American Rabbis voted to recognize the equality of all members, regardless of their sexual orientation. They also went on record as favoring the decriminalization of homosexual activities between consenting adults, and the passage of laws which prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians. Reform Jews do not consider sexual orientation when ordaining rabbis, and do not require their rabbis to follow a celibate lifestyle.   Traditional Native American Groups In many aboriginal traditional faiths, homosexuals are held in high regard as having received a special blessing. They often became the shaman (healer) of the community.   Asatru, Druidic, Wiccan and Other Neo-Pagan Groups These religions are almost completely decentralized in organization, so no one person or organization speaks for an entire faith group. Many, perhaps most, Neo-Pagans are solitary practitioners. Others are organized into Churches, Covens, Groves, Kindreds, etc. Although Pagans celebrate female-male polarity, and many of their rituals are based on a balance of women and men, they generally accept homosexuality and bisexuality as natural and unchangeable orientations for a minority of adults. Most groups welcome people without regard to their sexual orientation. There are also exclusively gay and exclusively lesbian groups. References: 1. The Evangelical Closet, Christianity Today, 1990-NOV-5
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