Are LGBTQ Actions and Relationships Sinful in Christianity?
Since the dawn of time, people of all different religions and backgrounds have held different opinions. Christianity, the world’s most popular faith, is no different. The Christianity and LGBT+ conversation, in particular, is a subject of constant debate.
Historically, Christian scripture has been used to vilify and demonize the LGBTQ+ community, condemning them to an eternity in hell. This severe interpretation has been proclaimed by many of the world’s leading Christian preachers, citing passages from the bible while doing so.
However, many churches now preach a very different message. Rather than hate and withdraw from anything remotely related to homosexuality, leading Christian organisations are spreading a message of acceptance, tolerance and understanding.
Apart from this, there are many other lessons which should resonate with Christians when it comes to homosexuality. Firstly, that all should be treated with respect and kindness and secondly, that judging another person, be it gay or straight, is not what Jesus would have done.
Thirdly, that prejudice in any form is sinful.
Many clergymen, whether they personally accept homosexuality or not, honour a message of respect and acceptance.At the same time they may firmly maintain a belief that homosexual relationships or actions are sinful. This has allowed churches to walk a middle path, recognizing the basic beliefs and practices of the faith, while at the same time accepting and respecting members of the LGBT+ community.
In conclusion, it’s clear that whilst some Christian organizations continue to maintain a very conservative stance on the issue, there’s a new trend of leading organizations adapting their views and pushing for recognition, inclusion and understanding of all people, no matter their sexual orientation.
Church Acceptance and Support for LGBT People
The past decade has seen a surge in acceptance from churches and religious leaders. Many churches now offer marriage and relationship counseling to same sex couples, something that was previously unthinkable. While some churches still hold strictly to the letter of the Bible in their teachings, many now reject such ideas, arguing instead they are pushing the true message of Christian love and charity.
More and more clergy are offering support and ministerial services to those of the LGBT+ community. From ceremony and celebration of same sex marriage to being a pastor to those in the community, this is a huge development compared to the past history of church-LGBT relationships.
Today, there are many stories of clergy people standing up for the rights of the LGBT+ community. From standing shoulder to shoulder with members of the LGBT+ community during protests, to actively participating in their own churches in efforts to form a more inclusive and welcoming community.
Additionally, those who feel these changes don’t go far enough can opt for one of the many LGBT-friendly churches in the United States and around the world. Here, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcomed and accepted unconditionally.
At the same time, plenty of churches that are not officially “LGBT-friendly” continue to allow members of the community to participate in services, as long as they do not defy the accepted Biblical doctrine of chastity outside of marriage.
Biblical Plausibility: Are LGBT Actions Sinful in Christianity?
Put simply, many Christians believe that God created each person to have a companion and have intentionally designed people to be attracted to a specific gender or gender identity.
Whether or not these attractions can be considered sinful is an entirely subjective topic. Those who hold a strict interpretation of the bible may believe that same sex relationships or actions of any kind are a sin. Others may firmly believe that it’s not a sin, and that God loves all people regardless of their attractions or lifestyle.
It’s important to note that, for the most part, bible verses about LGBT issues don’t explicitly state that being LGBT is a sin. Many of the verses – such as those in Leviticus that prohibit homosexual activity – are written as general prohibitions against all sexual activity outside of marriage and are not specifically targeting the LGBT community.
Many bible scholars interpret these verses as relating to sexual promiscuity more generally, believing that the same prohibitions should be applied to both same sex and opposite sex relationships.
Also, it should be mentioned that the bible is largely silent on the topic of gender identity, yet most theologists would likely agree that even if the bible prohibits LGBT actions and relationships, it cannot be interpreted as condemning the intrinsic or core personhood of people who identify as LGBT, or along another gender or sexuality spectrum.
Ultimately, it’s up to each person to decide what they will and will not accept as true, and to then live according to their understanding of that truth.
LGBTQ Inclusion in Daily Life
Regardless of one’s stance on the biblical debate, there is no doubt that how people who identify as LGBT are included in their local communities is of vital importance.
The vast majority of Christian denominations now accept that members of the LGBT+ community can and should participate in their normal day to day lives. Churches pride themselves on the inclusion, acceptance and respect they offer LGBT people, by ensuring they are freed from discrimination and treated with kindness and love.
For example, many churches now have special support and social groups designed to help LGBT+ Christians make sense of their place in the church and to help them build relationships with other believers.
Also, many churches actively seek to include members of the LGBT+ community in their services and activities, from inviting them to join the choir or reading from the pulpit, to serving as active and committed members of their community.
Such inclusion and respect for LGBT members and the community as a whole is vital for any church to truly be an inclusive part of the community.
In addition to this, some churches are now going even further by offering LGBT+-specific services and religious rituals, such as same sex marriage. This level of acceptance and understanding is particularly important and powerful in changing the way the Christian community views the LGBT+ community.
Christianity and the LGBTQ Movement
Whilst it’s important to recognize that many conservative Christian organizations still oppose the LGBT+ agenda, it’s important to note that it is far from being a uniform opinion. In many places, a large number of Christian organizations and churches have come out in support of the LGBT+ movement and are actively working to ensure the fair and equal treatment of LGBT+ persons in all aspects of public and private life. This has included throwing their support behind LGBT+ rights campaigns and ensuring that their church serves as a safe and inclusive place for all.
Many Christian organizations also provide specific services for LGBT+ people. For example, many churches now offer counseling services for same-sex couples and provide support for LGBT+ people to come out in a safe and non-judgmental environment. These organizations are important proponents of the LGBT+ movement, both in terms of finance and visibility.
In addition to this, many Christian universities have come out in support of LGBT+ rights. These schools have openly stated that they are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment and actively seek to protect the rights of all of their students. These schools have been instrumental in providing a safe and open atmosphere for LGBT+ college students across the United States.
Finally, some pastors, preachers, and theologians are now publicly advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. These individuals are using their platforms to educate and inform the Christian population about the struggles of LGBTQ+ people and the need for acceptance and equality.
Conclusion
Whilst opinion on LGBT+ actions and relationships is still largely divided among Christian denominations, the idea that LGBT+ persons should be unconditionally accepted and supported is no longer a controversial one.
More and more churches are now opening up to this idea and many of the original scriptures used to vilify the LGBT+ people can now be seen in a different light.
Ultimately, there is no single answer to whether or not LGBT actions and relationships are sinful in Christianity as it largely depends on one’s interpretation of the bible. However, one thing is certain – more and more churches are embracing a message of love and acceptance for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation.
