same sex relationships

biblical teachings

• In 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, St Paul condemns ‘sodomites’ as unrighteous and sinners 

• ‘if a man lies with a man as he does with a woman, both have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death, their blood is upon them’ [leviticus 20:13] 

• When discussing marriage, Jesus claims it is between a man and a woman. When combined with the claim that sex should be confined to marriage, that suggests homosexual sex is wrong: 

• “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6. 

CoE

• The Church of England is divided on this issue. It accepts that two people might enter into a homosexual relationship with the hope of enjoying companionship and the expression of love similar to that found in marriage. There is a gay Christian movement within the CofE. Some priests will bless civil partnerships but it is up to the individual and there is no church policy 

• Doesn't allow same-sex marriages 

• Allows blessings for same-sex couples in civil marriages/ partnerships 

• Civil partnerships are not marriages 

Quakers

• Quakers in the UK fully accept homosexuals into their community and do not condemn those who have homosexual relationships. 

• “We feel that the quality and depth of feeling between two people is the most important part of a loving relationship, not their gender or sexual orientation”- they point out that in Genesis it says that all people are created in the image of God- which must include homosexuals 

• Affirm same-sex marriage as equal to hetero ones -> first mainstream religious group in the UK to call for same-sex marriage to be legally recognized (petitioned the govt to change marriage laws)

roman catholic

• Being homosexual is not a sin but homosexual sexual activity is; homosexuals should be celibate and the sacraments help this; marital sex should be procreative but this is not possible so it is sinful. 

• The Catechism states that marriage is for a man and woman; the bible condemns homosexual activity.  

• Pope francis has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, but not related to civil unions/ blessings 

• Marriage between man and women 

• pope leo affirms that family is founded on union between man + woman

liberal christians

• Liberal Christians believe that the words of the Bible are therefore just human interpretations of what the authors felt and understood of God’s revelation.

• The Bible thus reflects the cultural and historical context of its human authors and requires continual re-interpretation to ensure its relevance.

• Passages which seem to reflect the discriminatory, violent or barbaric culture of the time can therefore be ignored.

• Liberal Christians tend to be accepting of homosexuality, even gay marriage, and place less emphasis on the need for sex to be confined within marriage.