Editing Christianity and homosexuality (section)

===Protestant churches===
{{Annotated image| image = 2016.11.20 Transgender Day of Remembrance, Washington, DC USA 08889 (31154894055).jpg| image-width = 800| image-left = -240| image-top = -80| width = 200| height = 250| float = right
| annotations = | caption = Christian [[pride flag]] hanging in a [[Metropolitan Community Church]]}}

====Accepting position====
{{see also|LGBT-affirming Christian denominations|Presbyterianism and homosexuality|Homosexuality and Lutheranism|Homosexuality and Quakerism}}

Certain other [[Christian denominations]] do not view monogamous same-sex relationships as sinful or immoral, and may [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|bless such unions and consider them marriages]]. These include the [[United Church of Canada]], the [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], the [[United Church of Christ]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/05/national/05church.html NYTimes.com] "United Church of Christ Backs Same-Sex Marriage"</ref> all German Lutheran, reformed and united churches in [[Evangelical Church in Germany|EKD]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ekd.de/lebensgemeinschaft_2000.html |title=Verantwortung und Verlässlichkeit stärken (german) |publisher=Ekd.de |access-date=10 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810205018/https://www.ekd.de/lebensgemeinschaft_2000.html |url-status=live |archive-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> all [[Swiss Reformed Church|Swiss reformed churches]], the [[Mennonites in the Netherlands|Protestant Church in the Netherlands]], the [[United Protestant Church in Belgium]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://holebi.info/phpnews/kortnews.php?action=fullnews&id=4179|title=Verenigde Protestantse Kerk staat inzegening homohuwelijk toe. - holebi.info|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093603/http://holebi.info/phpnews/kortnews.php?action=fullnews&id=4179|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[United Protestant Church of France]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20150517-french-protestant-church-authoriese-gay-marriages|title=French Protestant church authorises gay marriages|date=17 May 2015|access-date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724214210/http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20150517-french-protestant-church-authoriese-gay-marriages|archive-date=24 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Church of Denmark]], the [[Church of Sweden]], the [[Church of Iceland]], the [[Church of Norway]], and the [[Uniting Church in Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sandeman |first=John |date=13 July 2018 |title=Uniting Church to hold same sex marriages |url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/uniting-church-to-hold-same-sex-marriage/ |work=Eternity |location=Australia |access-date=13 July 2018 }}</ref> The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]] also allows prayer for same-sex couples.<ref name="ELCF">{{cite web|url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/homojen-kanssa-rukoilemisesta-saatiin-paatos/1853048|title=Church of Finland allows prayer for same sex couples (In Finnish)|date=12 November 2010|publisher=Mtv3.fi|access-date=12 November 2011}}</ref> The [[Metropolitan Community Church]] was founded specifically to serve the [[LGBT-affirming Christian denominations|Christian LGBTQ community]]. The [[Global Alliance of Affirming Apostolic Pentecostals]] (GAAAP) traces its roots back to 1980, making it the oldest LGBT-affirming Apostolic Pentecostal denomination in existence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.affirmingapostolic.com |title=GAAAP |publisher=Affirmingapostolic.com |access-date=12 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903095043/http://www.affirmingapostolic.com/ |archive-date= 3 September 2011 }}</ref> Another such organization is the [[Affirming Pentecostal Church International]], currently the largest affirming Pentecostal organization, with churches in the US, UK, Central and South America, Europe and Africa.

[[LGBT-affirming Christian denominations|LGBT-affirming denominations]] regard homosexuality as a natural occurrence. The [[United Church of Christ]] celebrates [[gay marriage]],<ref name="UCC-HRC">{{cite web | title = Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: United Church of Christ | publisher = [[Human Rights Campaign]] | url = http://www.hrc.org/issues/5055.htm | access-date = 22 January 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109135551/http://www.hrc.org/issues/5055.htm | archive-date = 9 November 2013 | url-status = dead}}</ref> and some parts of the [[Anglican]]<ref name="UCC-Episcopal bishops">{{Citation| last = Goodstein | first = Laurie | title = Episcopal Bishops Give Ground on Gay Marriage | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 15 July 2009 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/us/16episcopal.html?scp=18&sq=%22united%20church%20of%20christ%22&st=cse | access-date = 22 January 2010}}</ref> and [[Lutheran]]<ref name="LCMS – Homosexuality" /> churches allow for the blessing of gay unions. The [[United Church of Canada]] also allows same-sex marriage, and views [[sexual orientation]] as a gift from God. Within the [[Anglicanism|Anglican Communion]], there are openly gay clergy; for example, [[Gene Robinson]] is an openly gay Bishop in the US Episcopal Church. Within the Lutheran communion, there are openly gay clergy, too; for example, bishop [[Eva Brunne]] is an openly lesbian bishop in the [[Church of Sweden]]. Such religious groups and denominations interpret scripture and doctrine in a way that leads them to accept that homosexuality is morally acceptable, and a natural occurrence. For example, in 1988 the [[United Church of Canada]], that country's largest Protestant denomination, affirmed that "a) All persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, who profess Jesus Christ and obedience to Him, are welcome to be or become full members of the Church; {{em|and}} b) All members of the Church are eligible to be considered for the Ordered Ministry."<ref>[http://www.united-church.ca/humanrights/equal/chronology#1988 Chronology of Marriage and Equality Rights in the United Church] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425181001/http://www.united-church.ca/humanrights/equal/chronology#1988 |date=25 April 2009 }}</ref> In 2000, the Church's General Assembly further affirmed that "human sexual orientations, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are a gift from God and part of the marvelous diversity of creation."<ref>"Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Offers a Win-Win Solution, Says The United Church of Canada," 2005-FEB-01, United Church of Canada, at: http://www.united-church.ca/</ref>

In addition, some Christian denominations such as the [[Moravian Church]], believe that the [[Bible]] speaks negatively of homosexual acts but, as research on the matter continues, the Moravian Church seeks to establish a policy on homosexuality and the ordination of homosexuals.<ref name="The Moravian Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission">{{cite web|url=http://www.moravianseminary.edu/FaithOrder/STHomosexuality1st.html |title=On Homosexuality and Ordination |publisher=The Moravian Interprovincial Faith & Order Commission |access-date=22 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060722092332/http://www.moravianseminary.edu/FaithOrder/STHomosexuality1st.html |archive-date=22 July 2006 }}</ref> In 2014, Moravian Church in Europe allowed [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|blessings of same-sex unions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idea.de/frei-kirchen/detail/brueder-unitaet-kuenftig-sind-homo-segnungen-moeglich-28126.html|title=Brüder-Unität: Künftig sind Homo-Segnungen möglich}}</ref>

Liberal Quakers, those in membership of [[Britain Yearly Meeting]] and [[Friends General Conference]] in the US and some [[Conservative Friends|Conservative Quaker]] Yearly Meetings approve of same-sex marriage and union. Quakers were the first Christian group in the United Kingdom to advocate for equal marriage and [[Quakers in Britain]] formally recognised same-sex relationships in 1963.<ref name="Quakers in Britain">{{cite news|url = http://www.quaker.org.uk/about-quakers/our-history/marriage-equality|title =Quakers and same sex marriage|work=Quakers in Britain |location=Friends House, London|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Guardian ">{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/31/quakers-gay-marriage| title = Quakers said same-sex couples 'miss the public recognition of their partnership in a religious ceremony'|work=The Guardian |location=London |access-date = 22 November 2009 | first=Riazat | last=Butt | date=31 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="FUM – Homosexuality" />

The [[United Methodist Church]] elected a lesbian bishop in 2016, and on 7 May 2018, the Council of Bishops proposed the One Church Plan, which would allow individual pastors and regional church bodies to decide whether to ordain LGBTQ clergy and perform same-sex weddings.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.advocate.com/religion/2018/5/05/methodist-bishops-back-choice-lgbt-clergy-same-sex-marriage| title = Advocate: Methodist Bishops Back Choice on LGBT Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage| date = 5 May 2018}}</ref> On 26 February 2019, a special session of the General Conference rejected the One Church Plan and voted to strengthen its official opposition to same-sex marriages and ordaining openly LGBTQ clergy.<ref name=Zauzmer>{{cite news|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/02/26/united-methodist-church-votes-maintain-its-opposition-same-sex-marriage-gay-clergy/|title = United Methodist Church votes to maintain its opposition to same-sex marriage, gay clergy|newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]|date = 26 February 2019|access-date = 26 February 2019|last1 = Zauzmer|first1 = Julie|last2 = Bailey|first2 = Sarah Pulliam}}</ref>
At the 2024 General Conference, 93% of delegates voted to lift existing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ people and the hosting of same-sex marriages. <ref>[https://www.umc.org/en/content/historic-shift-lgbtq-inclusion-united-methodist-church UMC.org: A historic shift in inclusion for the United Methodist Church], May 2024</ref>

====Various positions====

===== Anglican =====
{{Main|Homosexuality and the Anglican Communion}}
Since 1998, the [[Anglicanism|Anglican Church]] has reassured people with same sex attraction they are loved by God and are welcomed as full members of the [[Body of Christ]]. The Church leadership has a variety of views in regard to homosexual expression and ordination. Some expressions of sexuality are considered sinful including "promiscuity, prostitution, incest, pornography, paedophilia, predatory sexual behaviour, and sadomasochism (all of which may be heterosexual and homosexual)". The Church is concerned with pressures on young people to engage sexually and encourages abstinence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Section I.10 – Human Sexuality|url=https://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/document-library/lambeth-conference/1998/section-i-called-to-full-humanity/section-i10-human-sexuality|access-date=4 January 2020|website=anglicancommunion.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Orthodox bishops reveal text of resolution reaffirming 'Lambeth 1.10' as the Anglican Communion teaching on marriage and sexuality|url=https://anglican.ink/2022/08/02/orthodox-bishops-reveal-text-of-resolution-reaffirming-lambeth-1-10-as-the-anglican-communion-teaching-on-marriage-and-sexuality/ |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=anglican.ink|date=2 August 2022 }}</ref>

At the 13th [[Lambeth Conference]] in 1998, homosexuality was the most hotly debated issue. It was finally decided, by a vote of 526–70, to pass a resolution (1.10) calling for a "listening process" but stating (in an amendment passed by a vote of 389–190)<ref>{{cite web |title=Lambeth Conference 1998 Archives |url=http://www.lambethconference.org/1998/news/lc098.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728181157/http://www.lambethconference.org/1998/news/lc098.cfm |archive-date=28 July 2012 |access-date=27 November 2013 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> that "homosexual practice" (not necessarily orientation) is "incompatible with Scripture".<ref>{{cite web |title=Lambeth Conference 1998: Resolution 1.10 Human Sexuality |url=http://www.anglicancommunion.org/windsor2004/appendix/p3.6.cfm |access-date=3 July 2008}}</ref> Reflecting on resolution 1.10 in the lead up to Lambeth 2022, [[Angela Tilby]] recalled the intervention of Bishop [[Michael Bourke]], who successfully proposed an amendment which said: "We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Tilby |first=Angela |date=22 July 2022 |title=Angela Tilby: Lambeth '98's gift to Living in Love and Faith |work=[[Church Times]] |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2022/22-july/comment/columnists/angela-tilby-lambeth-98-s-gift-to-llf |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref> Tilby considered that while the amendment had appeared inconsequential at the time, it had indeed been significant: she said that the idea of "patient listening" underpinned the Church of England's process "Living in Love and Faith".<ref name=":0" />

===== Lutheran =====
{{Main|Homosexuality and Lutheranism}}
Churches within [[Lutheranism]] hold stances on the issue ranging from labeling homosexual acts as sinful, to acceptance of homosexual relationships. For example, the [[Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus]], the Lutheran denomination in [[Ethiopia]], and second largest non-united Lutheran denomination in the world, has taken a stand that marriage is inherently between a man and a woman, and has formally broken fellowship with the ELCA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eecmy.org/?home=po&page=!news&newscategory=/&article=62|title=Home|publisher=Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus|access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509012528/http://www.eecmy.org/?home=po&page=%21news&newscategory=%2F&article=62|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Home |url=http://www.eecmy.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706083349/http://www.eecmy.org/ |archive-date=2006-07-06 |access-date=2006-07-01 |publisher=EECMY Ethiopia}}</ref> The [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]], the [[Lutheran Church of Australia]], and the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] recognize homosexual behavior as intrinsically sinful and seek to minister to those who are struggling with homosexual inclinations.<ref name="LCMS – Homosexuality">{{cite web|url = http://lcms.org/Documents.fdoc?src=lcm&id=1100| title = What about Homosexuality?|publisher = [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]]|access-date = 26 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="WELS – Homosexuality">{{cite web |url= http://www.wels.net/what-we-believe/questions-answers/social-issues/acceptance-homosexuals |work= WELS Topical Q&A |title= Acceptance of homosexuals |publisher= [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] |date=27 October 2009 |access-date = 27 May 2014}}</ref> However, the [[Church of Sweden]], the [[Church of Denmark]], the [[Church of Norway]], or Lutheran churches of the [[Evangelical Church in Germany]] conducts [[same-sex marriage]]s, while the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] and [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada]] opens the ministry of the church to gay pastors and other professional workers living in committed relationships.<ref name="ELCA – Sodomy">{{cite web |url= http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4253 |title= ELCA Assembly Opens Ministry to Partnered Gay and Lesbian Lutherans |publisher= [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] |access-date= 22 November 2009}}</ref>

====Rejecting position====
{{see also|Homosexuality and Methodism}}
[[File:Time Magazine cover April 13, 2015.webp|thumb|right|A 2015 cover of [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] highlighting the [[LGBTQ rights opposition|conflict]] between some Christian denominations' views and [[LGBTQ rights]]]]

Some [[mainline (Protestant)|mainline Protestant]] denominations, such as the African [[Methodism|Methodist churches]],<ref name="UMC – Sexuality">{{cite web|url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1728 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701151202/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1728 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 July 2012 |title=Human Sexuality |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name="HRC – Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: African Methodist Episcopal Church">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/issues/4957.htm|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: African Methodist Episcopal Church|publisher=The Human Rights Campaign|access-date=25 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121220941/http://www.hrc.org/issues/4957.htm|archive-date=21 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FMC – Christian Conduct">{{cite web|url=http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Sections/About%20Us/Beliefs/Christian%20Life/Christian%20Conduct/Christian%20Conduct%203.htm |title=The Christian Life – Christian Conduct |publisher=Free Methodist Church |access-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513181703/http://www.freemethodistchurch.org/Sections/About%20Us/Beliefs/Christian%20Life/Christian%20Conduct/Christian%20Conduct%203.htm |archive-date=13 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name="UMC – British Methodists reject blessing of same-sex relationships">{{cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1827285/k.B985/British_Methodists_reject_blessing_of_samesex_relationships.htm|title=British Methodists reject blessing of same-sex relationships|publisher=The United Methodist Church|access-date=16 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914134747/http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1827285/k.B985/British_Methodists_reject_blessing_of_samesex_relationships.htm|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Reformed Church in America]],<ref name="RCA – Homosexuality">{{cite web|url=http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=501|title=Summaries of General Synod Discussions and Actions on Homosexuality and the Rights of Homosexuals|publisher=Reformed Church in America|access-date=21 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716233212/https://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=501|archive-date=16 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Presbyterian Church in America]],<ref name="PCA – Homosexuality">{{cite web|url=http://www.alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID23682_CHID125044_CIID1620134,00.html |title=PCA Statements on Homosexuality |publisher=[[Presbyterian Church in America]] |access-date=16 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613093815/http://alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0%2C%2CPTID23682_CHID125044_CIID1620134%2C00.html |archive-date=13 June 2010 }}</ref> [[Christian Reformed Church in North America]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/june/christian-reformed-church-crc-lgbt-stance-calvin.html | title=Christian Reformed Church Brings LGBT Stance into Faith Statement | date=15 June 2022 }}</ref> also oppose LGBTQ relationships.

Some [[Conservative Friends|Conservative Quakers]], those within [[Friends United Meeting]] and the [[Evangelical Friends International]] believe that sexual relations are condoned only in marriage, which they define to be between a man and a woman.<ref name="FUM – Homosexuality">{{cite web|url=http://www.neym.org/FUMworkweb/history.pdf |title=History of FUM policy regarding the appointment of homosexuals |publisher=[[Friends United Meeting]] |access-date=22 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008224923/http://neym.org/FUMworkweb/history.pdf |archive-date= 8 October 2010 }}</ref>

[[Confessional Lutheran]] churches teach that it is sinful to have homosexual desires, even if they do not lead to homosexual activity.<ref name="WELSQA-871">{{cite web |url=https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?process&procID=1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=28&cuItem_itemID=871 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090928041714/https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?process&procID=1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=28&cuItem_itemID=871 |archive-date=28 September 2009 |work=WELS Topical Q&A |title= Human Behavior – Sexual Behavior |publisher=[[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] |access-date=24 July 2016 }}</ref> The Doctrinal statement issued by the [[Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod]] states that making a distinction between homosexual orientation and the act of homosexuality is confusing:

{{Blockquote|We cannot limit the sin of homosexuality to deeds but not desires, any more than we can limit heterosexual sin to deeds but not desires. Scripture clearly includes desires and inclinations toward sinful actions in the category of sin ({{abbr|Mt|Matthew}} 5:27–28). This is true of both homosexual and heterosexual sin.<ref name=welsstatement>{{cite web|url=http://wlsessays.net/files/BrugIsHomosexualityASin.pdf |title=Doctrinal Brief: Is Homosexuality a Sin? |last=Brug |first=John F. |publisher=[[Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary]] |page=288 |access-date=4 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522213615/http://wlsessays.net/files/BrugIsHomosexualityASin.pdf |archive-date=22 May 2014 }}</ref>}}

However, confessional Lutherans also warn against [[Hypocrisy|selective morality]] which harshly condemns homosexuality while treating other sins more lightly.<ref name=welsstatement/>