Editing Christianity and homosexuality (section)

==Views supportive of homosexuality==
[[File:Jonathan Lovingly Taketh His Leave of David by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld.jpg|thumbnail|''Friendship between Jonathan and David'' by [[Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld]] (1860)]]

In the 20th century, theologians like [[Jürgen Moltmann]], [[Hans Küng]], [[John A. T. Robinson|John Robinson]], [[David Edward Jenkins|Bishop David Jenkins]], [[Don Cupitt]], and [[John Shelby Spong|Bishop Jack Spong]] challenged traditional theological positions and understandings of the Bible; following these developments some have suggested that passages have been mistranslated or that they do not refer to what is in the modern day understood as "homosexuality."{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Clay Witt, a minister in the [[Metropolitan Community Church]], explains how theologians and commentators like [[John Shelby Spong]], George Edwards and Michael England interpret injunctions against certain sexual acts as being originally intended as a means of distinguishing religious worship between Abrahamic and the surrounding [[Paganism|pagan]] faiths, within which homosexual acts featured as part of idolatrous religious practices: "England argues that these prohibitions should be seen as being directed against sexual practices of fertility cult worship. As with the earlier reference from Strong's, he notes that the word 'abomination' used here is directly related to idolatry and idolatrous practices throughout the Hebrew Testament. Edwards makes a similar suggestion, observing that 'the context of the two prohibitions in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 suggest that what is opposed is not same-sex activity outside the cult, as in the modern secular sense, but within the cult identified as Canaanite'".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrmcc.org/Resources/StudyDocuments/bibleand.htm |title=Homosexuality and the Bible, Rev. Clay Witt, Holy Redeemer M.C.C., 1995 |publisher=Hrmcc.org |access-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802131304/http://www.hrmcc.org/Resources/StudyDocuments/bibleand.htm |archive-date= 2 August 2012 }}</ref>

In 1986, the [[Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus]] (EEWC), then known as the Evangelical Women's Caucus International, passed a resolution stating: "Whereas homosexual people are children of God, and because of the biblical mandate of Jesus Christ that we are all created equal in God's sight, and in recognition of the presence of the lesbian minority in EWCI, EWCI takes a firm stand in favor of civil rights protection for homosexual persons."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EoJrHDirVQUC&pg=PA471|title=Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America: Women and religion: methods of study and reflection|first1=Rosemary Skinner|last1=Keller|first2=Rosemary Radford|last2=Ruether|first3=Marie|last3=Cantlon|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Indiana University Press|via=Google Books|isbn=9780253346865}}</ref>

Some Christians believe that Biblical passages have been mistranslated or that these passages do not refer to LGBTQ orientation as currently understood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sisterfriends-together.org/the-bible-and-homosexuality/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228050848/http://www.sisterfriends-together.org/the-bible-and-homosexuality/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 February 2008 |title=The Bible and Homosexuality |access-date=4 July 2008 |work=SisterFriends Together |publisher=Grace Unfolding Ministries }}</ref> Liberal Christian scholars, like conservative Christian scholars, accept earlier versions of the texts that make up the Bible in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] or [[Greek language|Greek]]. However, within these early texts there are many terms that modern scholars have interpreted differently from previous generations of scholars.<ref name = SLAVERY/><ref name = WOMEN/><ref name = ROGERS/> There are concerns with copying errors, forgery, and biases among the translators of later Bibles.<ref name = SLAVERY/><ref name = WOMEN/><ref name = ROGERS/> They consider some verses such as those they say support [[slavery]]<ref name = SLAVERY>{{cite web|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/sla_bibl.htm |title=What the Bible says about slavery |publisher=Religioustolerance.org |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> or the inferior treatment of women<ref name = WOMEN>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/ofe_bibl.htm ReligiousTolerance.org].</ref> as not being valid today, and against the will of God present in the context of the Bible. They cite these issues when arguing for a change in theological views on sexual relationships to what they say is an earlier view. They differentiate among various sexual practices, treating rape, prostitution, or temple sex rituals as immoral and those within committed relationships as positive regardless of [[sexual orientation]]. They view certain verses, which they believe refer only to homosexual rape, as not relevant to consensual homosexual relationships.<ref name = ROGERS>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ksWrErBqRVUC&q=homosexual+rape+sodom+and+gomorrah&pg=PA70 |title=Jesus, the Bible, and homosexuality; by Jack Rogers |access-date=12 November 2011|isbn=9780664229399 |last1=Rogers |first1=Jack Bartlett |date=2006-01-01 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press }}</ref>

Yale professor [[John Boswell]] has argued that a number of [[Early Christians]] entered into homosexual relationships,<ref name=BOS>{{Cite book | last= Boswell | first= John | title= The Marriage of Likeness. Same-Sex Unions in Pre-Modern Europe | publisher= Fontana | year= 1996}}</ref> and that certain Biblical figures had homosexual relationships, such as [[Book of Ruth|Ruth]] and her mother-in-law [[Naomi (Bible)|Naomi]], [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] and the court official Ashpenaz, and [[David and Jonathan|David]] and King [[Saul]]'s son [[David and Jonathan|Jonathan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bmar.htm |title=ReligiousTolerance.org |publisher=ReligiousTolerance.org |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> Boswell has also argued that [[adelphopoiesis]], a rite bonding two men, was akin to a religiously sanctioned same-sex union. Having partaken in such a rite, a person was prohibited from entering into marriage or taking monastic vows, and the choreography of the service itself closely parallelled that of the marriage rite.<ref name=BOS/><ref>Robin Darling Young, "[http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9411/articles/darling.html Gay Marriage: Reimagining Church History]", [[First Things]] 47 (November 1994), pp. 43–48.</ref><ref name="Halsall">Paul Halsall, ''[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/bosrevdisc-kennedy1.html Reviewing Boswell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406072950/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/bosrevdisc-kennedy1.html |date=6 April 2012 }}'' (1995).</ref> His views have not found wide acceptance, and opponents have argued that this rite sanctified a [[Platonic love|platonic]] brotherly bond, not a homosexual union.<ref name="Halsall"/> He also argued that condemnation of homosexuality began only in the 12th century.<ref name="Boswell2">John Boswell, ''[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/1979boswell.html The Church and the Homosexual – An Historical Perspective] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123114041/http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/1979boswell.html |date=23 November 2014 }}'' (1979).</ref> Boswell's critics<ref>Gagnon R.A.J., ''The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics''. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2001.</ref> point out that many earlier doctrinal sources condemn homosexuality as a sin even if they do not prescribe a specific punishment, and that Boswell's arguments are based on sources which reflected a general trend towards harsher penalties, rather than a change in doctrine, from the 12th century onwards.

[[Desmond Tutu]], the former [[Anglican Church of Southern Africa|Anglican]] Archbishop of Cape Town and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, described homophobia as a "[[crimes against humanity|crime against humanity]]" and "every bit as unjust" as apartheid:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/13584 |title=Desmond Tutu: "Homophobia equals apartheid" |publisher=Afrol.com |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> "We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about; our very skins. It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given.{{nbsp}}[...] We treat them [gays and lesbians] as pariahs and push them outside our communities. We make them doubt that they too are children of God – and this must be nearly the ultimate blasphemy. We blame them for what they are."<ref>Sex, Love & Homophobia, published by Amnesty International UK, 2005, foreword by Desmund Tutu.</ref>

Modern gay Christian leader [[Justin R. Cannon]] promotes what he calls "Inclusive Orthodoxy" ('[[orthodoxy]]' in this sense is not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox Church). He explains on his ministry website: "Inclusive Orthodoxy is the belief that the Church can and must be inclusive of LGBTQ individuals without sacrificing the Gospel and the Apostolic teachings of the Christian faith."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truthsetsfree.net/about.htm |title=INCLUSIVE ORTHODOXY: Gay Christian Ministry – Bible and Homosexuality? |publisher=Truthsetsfree.net |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> Cannon's ministry takes a unique and distinct approach from modern liberal Christians while still supporting homosexual relations. His ministry affirms the divine inspiration of the Bible, the authority of Tradition, and says "...that there is a place within the full life and ministry of the Christian Church for lesbian, gay, [[bisexual]], and [[transgender]] Christians, both those who are called to lifelong celibacy and those who are partnered."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.truthsetsfree.net/index.html |title=Inclusive Orthodoxy ~ The Rev. Justin R. Cannon |publisher=Truthsetsfree.net |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref>

Today, many religious people are becoming more affirming of same-sex relationships, even in denominations with official stances against homosexuality. In the United States, people in denominations who are against same-sex relationships are liberalizing quickly, though not as quickly as those in more affirming groups.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schnabel|first=Landon|date=2016-01-01|title=Gender and homosexuality attitudes across religious groups from the 1970s to 2014: Similarity, distinction, and adaptation|journal=Social Science Research|volume=55|pages=31–47|doi=10.1016/j.ssresearch.2015.09.012|pmid=26680286|url=http://osf.io/3p6wt/}}</ref> This social change is creating tension within many denominations, and even schisms and mass walk-outs among Mormons and other conservative groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/14/us/mormon-mass-resignation/index.html|title=Mormons leaving church to protest same-sex policy|author1=Susanna Capelouto |author2=Ralph Ellis|date=14 November 2015|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

[[Pope Francis]] voiced support for same-sex civil unions during an interview in a documentary film, ''[[Francesco (2020 film)|Francesco]]'', which was premiered at the [[Rome Film Festival]] on 21 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/21/pope-francis-backs-same-sex-civil-unions|title=Pope Francis backs same-sex civil unions|access-date=21 October 2020|website=The Guardian|date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

===Homosexual Christians and organizations===
{{Further|LGBT-affirming Christian denominations}}
{{See also|LGBT-affirming religious groups}}
[[File:TroyPerry2006-09-17.JPG|thumb|right|Rev. [[Troy Perry]] preaching in 2006 at a [[Metropolitan Community Church]]]]

Studies in the US show more LGBTQ individuals identify as Protestant than Catholic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prri.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PRRI_Mar_2020_LGBT-Figure_2.png |title=LGBT Identification by Religious Affiliation |date=March 2020 |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/FT_15.05.22_RLSsexualOrientation_640px.png |title=Religious Composition by Self-Reported Sexual Identity |website=Pew Research Center |date=2014 |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2013/06/SDT-2013-06-LGBT-6-02.png |title=Religious Affiliation |website=Pew Research Center |date=2013 |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref> [[George Barna]], a conservative Christian author and researcher, conducted a survey in the United States in 2009 that found gay and lesbian people having a Christian affiliation were more numerous than had been presumed. He characterized some of his leading conclusions from the data as follows:<ref name="Chellew-Hodge 2009" /> "People who portray gay adults as [[Godlessness|godless]], [[hedonistic]], Christian bashers are not working with the facts. A substantial majority of gays cite their [[faith]] as a central facet of their life, consider themselves to be Christian, and claim to have some type of meaningful personal commitment to [[Jesus Christ]] active in their life today." Barna also found that LGBTQ people were more likely to interpret faith as an individual rather than a collective experience.<ref name=BARNAGAY>{{cite web|url=http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/13-culture/282-spiritual-profile-of-homosexual-adults-provides-surprising-insights |title=Spiritual Profile of Homosexual Adults Provides Surprising Insights |publisher=Barna.org |date=22 June 2009 |access-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106041153/http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/13-culture/282-spiritual-profile-of-homosexual-adults-provides-surprising-insights |archive-date= 6 November 2011 }}</ref>

Candace Chellew-Hodge, liberal Christian lesbian founder of the online magazine ''Whosoever'', responded to the findings: "All in all, I'm grateful for Barna even wandering into the subject of gay and lesbian [[Religion|religious belief]]. I think his study is important and can go a long way to dispelling the old "gays vs. God" [[dichotomy]] that too often gets played out in the media. However, his overall message is still harmful: Gays and lesbians are Christians – they're just not as good as straight ones."<ref name="Chellew-Hodge 2009">{{cite web |date=26 June 2009 |title=New Poll Shows Gays and Lesbians Believe in God, Candace Chellew-Hodge, ReligionDispatches, 25 June 2009 (accessed 2009-06-27) |url=http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/sexandgender/1590/new_poll_shows_gays_and_lesbians_believe_in_god |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629045208/http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/sexandgender/1590/new_poll_shows_gays_and_lesbians_believe_in_god |archive-date=29 June 2009 |access-date=12 November 2011 |publisher=Religiondispatches.org}}</ref> She argued that Barna had formulated his report with undue irony and skepticism, and that he had failed to take into account the reasons for the data which enkindled his "arrière pensée." The reason why far fewer homosexuals attend church, she argued, is that there are far fewer churches who will accept them. Equally, gays and lesbians do not see the Bible as unequivocally true because they are forced by its use against them to read it more closely and with less credulity, leading them to note its myriad [[Internal consistency of the Bible|contradictions]].<ref name="Chellew-Hodge 2009"/>

Organizations for homosexual Christians exist across a wide range of beliefs and traditions. The interdenominational [[Q Christian Fellowship]] (formerly Gay Christian Network) has some members who affirm same-sex relationships and others who commit themselves to celibacy, groups it refers to as "Side A" and "Side B", respectively.<ref>[http://www.gaychristian.net/index.php? GCN Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610174736/http://www.gaychristian.net/index.php |date=10 June 2010 }} (website). Gay Christian Network. Retrieved 2008-03-05.</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = The Believers| first = Tim| last = Murphy| newspaper = The Advocate| date = 17 June 2008| pages = 52–58}}</ref> According to founder [[Justin Lee (activist)|Justin Lee]]:

{{blockquote|We're just trying to get people together who experience attraction to the same sex, however they have handled that, and who love Jesus and say, OK, you are welcome here, and then let's pray together and figure out where God wants us to take it.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/18/acd.02.html Transcript] of 18 December 2006 episode of ''Anderson Cooper 360''</ref>}}

Some organizations cater exclusively to homosexual Christians who do not want to have gay sex, or attraction; the goals of these organizations vary. Some Christian groups focus on simply refraining from gay sex, such as [[Courage International]] and [[North Star (organization)|North Star]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northstarlds.org |title=North Star web site |publisher=Northstarlds.org |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Same-Sex Attraction|url=http://samesexattraction.org/ |website=samesexattraction.org |date=19 December 2024 |access-date=19 December 2024}}</ref> Other groups additionally encourage gay members to reduce or eliminate [[same-sex attraction]]s. [[Love Won Out]] and the now-defunct [[Exodus International]] are examples of such ministries. These groups are sometimes referred to as [[ex-gay]] organizations, though many no longer use the term. [[Alan Chambers (Exodus International)|Alan Chambers]], the president of Exodus, says the term incorrectly implies a complete change in sexual orientation,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jun-18-na-exgay18-story.html |title=Approaching agreement in debate over homosexuality |website=Los Angeles Times|date=18 June 2007 |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> though the group [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]] continues to use the term. In addition, individual Christians identifying as gay who want to subscribe to the conservative ethic are becoming more vocal themselves.<ref>{{cite web |last=Belgau |first=Ron |title=Spiritual Friendship in 300 Words|url=http://spiritualfriendship.org/2012/08/29/spiritual-friendship-in-300-words/ |website=spiritualfriendship.org |date=29 August 2012 |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref>

Gay Christian writer and actor [[Peterson Toscano]] argues that organizations promoting orientation change are a "ruse".<ref>{{cite news|title=Turning off gays |first=Mark |last=Benjamin |newspaper=Salon |date=18 July 2005 |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/07/18/ungay/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525055244/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/07/18/ungay/index.html |archive-date=25 May 2009 }}</ref> An organization he co-founded, Beyond Ex-Gay, supports people who feel they have been wounded by such organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beyondexgay.com/ |title=Beyond Ex-Gay Group for survivors of Ex-Gay ministries |publisher=Beyondexgay.com |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref>

[[LGBT-affirming Christian denominations|Other groups]] support or advocate for gay Christians and their relationships. For example, in the United States, [[IntegrityUSA]] represents the interests of lesbian and gay Christians in the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.integrityusa.org/ |title=Integrity (US Episcopal) |publisher=Integrityusa.org |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> while [[United Methodist Church|United Methodists]] have the [[Reconciling Ministries Network]] and [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] Christians have ''Evangelicals Concerned''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecwr.org/index.php |title=Evangelicals Concerned: Gay Christians |publisher=Ecwr.org |access-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930014647/http://www.ecwr.org/index.php |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref> [[GracePointe Church]] became one of the first evangelical [[megachurch]]es in the US to support full equality for LGBTQ people in 2015.<ref name=Time>{{cite magazine |last1=Dias |first1=Elizabeth |title=Nashville Evangelical Church Comes Out for Marriage Equality |url=https://time.com/3687368/gracepointe-church-nashville-marriage-equality/ |access-date=15 February 2015 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=29 January 2015 |archive-date=14 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214143615/http://time.com/3687368/gracepointe-church-nashville-marriage-equality/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Heidi |title=As one evangelical church 'comes out' for LGBT rights, others cast a wary eye |url=https://religionnews.com/2015/03/03/one-evangelical-church-comes-lgbt-rights-others-cast-wary-eye/ |website=Religion News Service |access-date=8 February 2023 |date=3 March 2015 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208152423/https://religionnews.com/2015/03/03/one-evangelical-church-comes-lgbt-rights-others-cast-wary-eye/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014 the [[United Church of Christ]] filed a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's ban on same-sex marriage, which is America's first faith-based challenge to same-sex marriage bans; the [[Alliance of Baptists]] joined the lawsuit later that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9127277.html|title=Rabbis group joins N.C. same-sex marriage suit}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2014/06/06/rabbis-join-marriage-equality-fight|title=Rabbis Join Marriage Equality Fight|date=6 June 2014}}</ref>

In Europe, working within the worldwide Anglican Communion on a range of discrimination issues, including those of LGBTQ clergy and people in the church, is ''Inclusive Church''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inclusive-church.org.uk/ |title=Inclusive Church (Anglican) |publisher=Inclusive Church |access-date=27 November 2012}}</ref> The longest standing groups for lesbian and gay Christians in the UK, were Quest (for LGBTQ Catholics) and Metropolitan Community Church (UK) both founded in 1973; followed in 1976 by the non-denominational [[Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lgcm.org.uk/ |title=Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (UK) |publisher=Lgcm.org.uk |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> specifically aimed to meet the needs of lesbian and gay evangelicals, there is the ''Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians'';<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eflgc.org.uk/ |title=Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay Christians (UK) |publisher=Eflgc.org.uk |date=7 November 2010 |access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> specifically working within the Church of England is ''Changing Attitude'',<ref>[http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/home/home.asp Changing Attitude (UK)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428103050/http://www.changingattitude.org.uk/home/home.asp |date=28 April 2009 }}</ref> which also takes an international focus in working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender affirmation within the Anglican Communion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.changingattitude.org/home/home.asp |title=(International) |publisher=Changing Attitude |date=21 September 2010 |access-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927073959/http://www.changingattitude.org/home/home.asp |archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref>

Sociologist Richard N. Pitt argues that these organizations are only available to LGBTQ members of liberal denominations, as opposed to those in conservative denominations. His review of the literature on gay Christians suggests that these organizations not only represent the interests of Christians who attend their churches, but (like gay-friendly and gay-affirming churches) also give these members useful responses to homophobic and heterosexist rhetoric. His research shows that those LGBTQ Christians who stay at homophobic churches "kill the messenger"<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/123306098/HTMLSTART |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216152744/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/123306098/HTMLSTART |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 December 2012 |title=Killing The Messenger|doi=10.1111/j.1468-5906.2009.01492.x |date=1 March 2010 |access-date=12 November 2011 |volume=49 |journal=Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion |pages=56–72|last1=Pitt|first1=Richard N.}}</ref> by attacking the minister's knowledge about homosexuality, personal morality, focus on sin instead of forgiveness, and motivations for preaching against homosexuality.