WikiChristian - User contributions [en]

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T16:00:42Z

Skeptopotamus: /* Links */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Sexuality and Christianity |
subtopics = [[Marriage]]
* [[Homosexuality]]
* {{news}}
** [[United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests]]
** [[Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[Christianity and Homosexuality (Pilhet)]] |
}}

Homosexuality refers to intimate relationships between two people of the same gender. Few issues cause as much division in today's [[church]] as the issue of [[homosexual]] relationships and this relates in part to the deeper issue of Biblical Authority. Some conservative Christians argue that the [[Bible]] states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a [[marriage]] between a man and a woman. More liberal Christians deem that homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. They argue that a trajectory is outlined in Scripture, revealing God's ever expanding love and encompassing of what was once forbidden. The liberal argument also often involves complex translation and linguistic discrepancies between editions of the bible, as well as a [[symbolic reading]] of the text, while the conservative argument relies on a strict reading of the passages.

In the developed world, particularly North-Western [[Europe]] and [[North America]], many church [[denominations]] have embraced the liberal viewpoint, sometimes causing strife within congregations. One of the major developments in recent years has been in the [[Episcopal Church]] of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, [[Gene Robinson]], was ordained as a bishop. This caused divide within the [[Anglican Communion]], and in 2008, pressured by conservative congregation members, resulted in a conference being called to challenge the ruling; however, the church ruled in favor of Gene Robinson.

Homosexuality, in recent years, has become one of the most controversial issues in Christianity, if not the singularly most controversial, particularly due to western society's gradual acceptance of homosexuality, partly due to work in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and philosophy that are often in opposition to the position of many conservative denominations, although conservative Christians typically hold the stance that secular findings are not apropos to His deigning of morality and are thus not applicable. Difficulties concerning homosexuality also arise due to conflicting translations and conflict between passages directly remarking on homosexuality and other, more broad passages, that propose complex, semantic questions.

===Biblical passages===

There are a number of Biblical passages that refer to homosexuality, either directly or tangentially.

1 Timothy briefly refers to homosexuality in the context of a list of things, which he deems as sin, that he has seen:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[1 Timothy 1]]:[[Bible:1 Timothy 1:8|8]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:9|-]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:10|10]]

In Leviticus, God speaks through Moses of the nature of homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|22|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|24|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Leviticus 18]]:[[Bible:Leviticus 18:22|22]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:23|-]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:24|24]]

: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|20|13|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Leviticus 20:13|Leviticus 20:13]]

1 Corinthians, like Paul's letter to Timothy, also notes homosexuality within a list of other sins:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]],[[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:10|10]]

In Romans, Paul again refers to homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|1|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|27|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|28|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Romans 1]]:[[Bible:Romans 1:26|26]][[Bible:Romans 1:27|-]][[Bible:Romans 1:28|28]]

The writers of the [[New Testament]] also occasionally note homosexuality. In Jude and 2 Peter homosexuality is again mentioned:
: ''{{Bible verse|Jude|1|7|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Jude 1:7|Jude 7]]

: ''{{Bible verse|2 Peter|2|6|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:2 Peter 2:6|2 Peter 2:6]]

===Recent Views in the World and Christianity===

While world views regarding homosexuality have and do vary drastically from one location to another, the opinion of homosexuality in Western culture has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, as work in the fields of psychoanalysis, psychology, philosophy, biology and sociology have begun to address it more. Until 1976, the DSM-4 noted homosexuality as a philia, a compulsion related only to sexual interaction, but studies by the likes of Kinsey and others pressured its overturning; a political movement for equal rights by gays was occurring simultaneously in many parts of America and Europe, and also issued some pressure for the definition of homosexuality to be changed, which it eventually was.

Since this time, a vast amount of research has been designated to the issue, the results of which, although occasionally marred by detractors, have typically been conclusive in their findings in support of the 1976 overturning, which has caused the world view of homosexuality to slowly evolve, particularly with the newer generations. As such, many liberal Christians accuse conservative denominations of being "behind the times", while conservative Christians refer to the above-mentioned passages in the bible as support for a moral high ground. Many countries are slowly overturning laws or adding provisions to their constitutions to allow gay marriage, as have many states in America, although bills that mandate the acceptance of same sex marriage are often overturned; it is an issue that the Federal Supreme Court has delayed ruling on numerous times. However, a large portion of religious Americans and Europeans still object to homosexuality or gay marriage, typically for moral reasons.

===Famous Religious Homosexuals in History===

Queen Anne (Monarch)
Saint Augustine (Priest, Theologian, Philosopher)
Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)
Benedict IX (Pope)
George Washington Carver (Chemist, Inventor)
Charles IX (Monarch)
Donatello (Sculptor)
Ralph Waldo Emmerson (Writer, Philosopher)
Alexander Hamilton (Politician)
George Friedrich Handel (Composer)
Vladimir Horowitz (Pianist)
Edward Irving (Theologian)
James I (Monarch)
John XXII (Pope)
John Keynes (Economist)
Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, Inventor, Genius Savant)
Louis XVIII (Monarch)
Joseph McCarthy (Politician)
Niccolo Machiavelli (Politician, Philosopher)
Michelangelo (Artist)
Paul VI (Pope)
Raphael (Artist)
Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher)
Franz Schubert (Composer)
Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky (Composer)
Walt Whitman (Poet)
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosopher, Mathematician, Genius Savant) <ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gay,_lesbian_or_bisexual_people</ref><ref>http://christiangays.com/articles/famous.shtml</ref><ref>http://www.indopedia.org/List_of_LGBT_Jews.html</ref>

==Quotes==

==Links==
http://christiangays.com/articles/famous.shtml
http://www.indopedia.org/List_of_LGBT_Jews.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibl.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibx.htm
http://bible.org/article/homosexuality-christian-perspective
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-gay-christian
{{returnto}} [[Sexuality and Christianity]]

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T15:59:30Z

Skeptopotamus: Undo revision 671544 byKathleen.wright5; list abbreviated (on grounds of duration, significance and verification), referenced, grammar. Amplification on Christian/Secular (less bias-sounding).

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T02:48:31Z

Skeptopotamus:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Sexuality and Christianity |
subtopics = [[Marriage]]
* [[Homosexuality]]
* {{news}}
** [[United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests]]
** [[Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[Christianity and Homosexuality (Pilhet)]] |
}}

Homosexuality refers to intimate relationships between two people of the same gender. Few issues cause as much division in today's [[church]] as the issue of [[homosexual]] relationships and this relates in part to the deeper issue of Biblical Authority. Some conservative Christians argue that the [[Bible]] states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a [[marriage]] between a man and a woman. More liberal Christians deem that homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. They argue that a trajectory is outlined in Scripture, revealing God's ever expanding love and encompassing of what was once forbidden. The liberal argument also often involves complex translation and linguistic discrepancies between editions of the bible, as well as a [[symbolic reading]] of the text, while the conservative argument relies on a strict reading of the passages.

In the developed world, particularly North-Western [[Europe]] and [[North America]], many church [[denominations]] have embraced the liberal viewpoint, sometimes causing strife within congregations. One of the major developments in recent years has been in the [[Episcopal Church]] of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, [[Gene Robinson]], was ordained as a bishop. This caused divide within the [[Anglican Communion]], and in 2008, pressured by conservative congregation members, resulted in a conference being called to challenge the ruling; however, the church ruled in favor of Gene Robinson.

Homosexuality, in recent years, has become one of the most controversial issues in Christianity, if not the singularly most controversial, particularly due to western society's gradual acceptance of homosexuality, partly due to work in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and philosophy that are often in opposition to the position of many conservative denominations. Difficulties concerning homosexuality also arise due to conflicting translations and conflict between passages directly remarking on homosexuality and other, more broad passages, that propose complex, semantic questions.

===Biblical passages===

There are a number of Biblical passage that refer to homosexuality.

1 Timothy briefly refers to homosexuality in the context of a list of things, which he deems as sin, that he has seen:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[1 Timothy 1]]:[[Bible:1 Timothy 1:8|8]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:9|-]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:10|10]]

In Leviticus, God speaks through Moses of the nature of homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|22|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|24|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Leviticus 18]]:[[Bible:Leviticus 18:22|22]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:23|-]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:24|24]]

: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|20|13|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Leviticus 20:13|Leviticus 20:13]]

1 Corinthians, like Paul's letter to Timothy, also notes homosexuality within a list of other sins:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]],[[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:10|10]]

In Romans, Paul again refers to homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|1|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|27|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|28|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Romans 1]]:[[Bible:Romans 1:26|26]][[Bible:Romans 1:27|-]][[Bible:Romans 1:28|28]]

The writers of the [[New Testament]] also occasionally note homosexuality. In Jude and 2 Peter homosexuality is again mentioned:
: ''{{Bible verse|Jude|1|7|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Jude 1:7|Jude 7]]

: ''{{Bible verse|2 Peter|2|6|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:2 Peter 2:6|2 Peter 2:6]]

===Recent Views in the World and Christianity===

While world views regarding homosexuality have and do vary drastically from one location to another, the opinion of homosexuality in Western culture has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, as work in the fields of psychoanalysis, psychology, philosophy, biology and sociology have begun to address it more. Until 1976, the DSM-4 noted homosexuality as a philia, a compulsion related only to sexual interaction, but studies by the likes of Kinsey and others pressured its overturning; a political movement for equal rights by gays was occurring simultaneously in many parts of America and Europe, and also issued some pressure for the definition of homosexuality to be changed, which it eventually was.

Since this time, a vast amount of research has been designated to the issue, the results of which, although occasionally marred by detractors, have typically been conclusive in their findings in support of the 1976 overturning, which has caused the world view of homosexuality to slowly evolve, particularly with the newer generations. As such, many liberal Christians accuse conservative denominations of being "behind the times", while conservative Christians refer to the above-mentioned passages in the bible as support for a moral high ground. Many countries are slowly overturning laws or adding provisions to their constitutions to allow gay marriage, as have many states in America, although bills that mandate the acceptance of same sex marriage are often overturned; it is an issue that the Federal Supreme Court has delayed ruling on numerous times. However, a large portion of religious Americans and Europeans still object to homosexuality or gay marriage, typically for moral reasons.

===Famous Religious Homosexuals in History===

Queen Anne (Monarch)
Susan B. Anthony (Social Reformer)
Saint Augustine (Priest, Theologian, Philosopher)
Charles Baudelaire (Poet, Essayist)
Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)
Benedict IX (Pope)
George Washington Carver (Chemist, Inventor)
Catherine the Great (Tzar)
Charles IX (Monarch)
Donatello (Sculptor)
Ralph Waldo Emmerson (Writer, Philosopher)
Alexander Hamilton (Politician)
George Friedrich Handel (Composer)
Vladimir Horowitz (Pianist)
Edward Irving (Theologian)
James I (Monarch)
John XXII (Pope)
Janis Joplin (Singer)
John Keynes (Economist)
Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, Inventor, Genius Savant)
Louis XVIII (Monarch)
Joseph McCarthy (Politician)
Niccolo Machiavelli (Politician, Philosopher)
Michelangelo (Artist)
Isaac Newton (Physicist)
Paul VI (Pope)
Pius XII (Pope)
Raphael (Artist)
Richard I (Monarch)
Sviatoslav Richter (Pianist)
Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher)
Franz Schubert (Composer)
William Shakespeare (Writer)
Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky (Composer)
Walt Whitman (Poet)
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosopher, Mathematician, Genius Savant)

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Sexuality and Christianity]]

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T02:43:24Z

Skeptopotamus:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Sexuality and Christianity |
subtopics = [[Marriage]]
* [[Homosexuality]]
* {{news}}
** [[United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests]]
** [[Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[Christianity and Homosexuality (Pilhet)]] |
}}

Homosexuality refers to intimate relationships between two people of the same gender. Few issues cause as much division in today's [[church]] as the issue of [[homosexual]] relationships and this relates in part to the deeper issue of Biblical Authority. Some conservative Christians argue that the [[Bible]] states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a [[marriage]] between a man and a woman. More liberal Christians deem that homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. They argue that a trajectory is outlined in Scripture, revealing God's ever expanding love and encompassing of what was once forbidden. The liberal argument also often involves complex translation and linguistic discrepancies between editions of the bible, as well as a [[symbolic reading]] of the text, while the conservative argument relies on a strict reading of the passages.

In the developed world, particularly North-Western [[Europe]] and [[North America]], many church [[denominations]] have embraced the liberal viewpoint, sometimes causing strife within congregations. One of the major developments in recent years has been in the [[Episcopal Church]] of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, [[Gene Robinson]], was ordained as a bishop. This caused divide within the [[Anglican Communion]], and in 2008, pressured by conservative congregation members, resulted in a conference being called to challenge the ruling; however, the church ruled in favor of Gene Robinson.

Homosexuality, in recent years, has become one of the most controversial issues in Christianity, if not the singularly most controversial, particularly due to western society's gradual acceptance of homosexuality, partly due to work in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and philosophy that are often in opposition to the position of many conservative denominations. Difficulties concerning homosexuality also arise due to conflicting translations and conflict between passages directly remarking on homosexuality and other, more broad passages, that propose complex, semantic questions.

===Biblical passages===

There are a number of Biblical passage that refer to homosexuality.

1 Timothy briefly refers to homosexuality in the context of a list of things, which he deems as sin, that he has seen.
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[1 Timothy 1]]:[[Bible:1 Timothy 1:8|8]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:9|-]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:10|10]]

In Leviticus, God speaks through Moses of the nature of homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|22|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|24|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Leviticus 18]]:[[Bible:Leviticus 18:22|22]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:23|-]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:24|24]]

: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|20|13|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Leviticus 20:13|Leviticus 20:13]]

1 Corinthians, like Paul's letter to Timothy, also notes homosexuality within a list of other sins:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]],[[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:10|10]]

In Romans, Paul again refers to homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|1|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|27|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|28|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Romans 1]]:[[Bible:Romans 1:26|26]][[Bible:Romans 1:27|-]][[Bible:Romans 1:28|28]]

The writers of the [[New Testament]] also occasionally note homosexuality. In Jude and 2 Peter homosexuality is again mentioned:
: ''{{Bible verse|Jude|1|7|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Jude 1:7|Jude 7]]

: ''{{Bible verse|2 Peter|2|6|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:2 Peter 2:6|2 Peter 2:6]]

===Recent Views in the World and Christianity===

While world views regarding homosexuality have and do vary drastically from one location to another, the opinion of homosexuality in Western culture has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, as work in the fields of psychoanalysis, psychology, philosophy, biology and sociology have begun to address it more. Until 1976, the DSM-4 noted homosexuality as a philia, a compulsion related only to sexual interaction, but studies by the likes of Kinsey and others pressured its overturning; a political movement for equal rights by gays was occurring simultaneously in many parts of America and Europe, and also issued some pressure for the definition of homosexuality to be changed, which it eventually was.

Since this time, a vast amount of research has been designated to the issue, the results of which, although occasionally marred by detractors, have typically been conclusive in their findings in support of the 1976 overturning, which has caused the world view of homosexuality to slowly evolve, particularly with the newer generations. As such, many liberal Christians accuse conservative denominations of being "behind the times", while conservative Christians refer to the above-mentioned passages in the bible as support for a moral high ground. Many countries are slowly overturning laws or adding provisions to their constitutions to allow gay marriage, as have many states in America, although bills that mandate the acceptance of same sex marriage are often overturned; it is an issue that the Federal Supreme Court has delayed ruling on numerous times. However, a large portion of religious Americans and Europeans still object to homosexuality or gay marriage, typically for moral reasons.

===Famous Religious Homosexuals in History===

Queen Anne (Monarch)
Susan B. Anthony (Social Reformer)
Saint Augustine (Priest, Theologian, Philosopher)
Charles Baudelaire (Poet, Essayist)
Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)
Benedict IX (Pope)
George Washington Carver (Chemist, Inventor)
Catherine the Great (Tzar)
Charles IX (Monarch)
Donatello (Sculptor)
Ralph Waldo Emmerson (Writer, Philosopher)
Alexander Hamilton (Politician)
George Friedrich Handel (Composer)
Vladimir Horowitz (Pianist)
Edward Irving (Theologian)
James I (Monarch)
John XXII (Pope)
Janis Joplin (Singer)
John Keynes (Economist)
Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, Inventor, Genius Savant)
Louis XVIII (Monarch)
Joseph McCarthy (Politician)
Niccolo Machiavelli (Politician, Philosopher)
Michelangelo (Artist)
Isaac Newton (Physicist)
Paul VI (Pope)
Pius XII (Pope)
Raphael (Artist)
Richard I (Monarch)
Sviatoslav Richter (Pianist)
Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher)
Franz Schubert (Composer)
William Shakespeare (Writer)
Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky (Composer)
Walt Whitman (Poet)
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosopher, Mathematician, Genius Savant)

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Sexuality and Christianity]]

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T02:41:57Z

Skeptopotamus:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Sexuality and Christianity |
subtopics = [[Marriage]]
* [[Homosexuality]]
* {{news}}
** [[United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests]]
** [[Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[Christianity and Homosexuality (Pilhet)]] |
}}

Homosexuality refers to intimate relationships between two people of the same gender. Few issues cause as much division in today's [[church]] as the issue of [[homosexual]] relationships and this relates in part to the deeper issue of Biblical Authority. Some conservative Christians argue that the [[Bible]] states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a [[marriage]] between a man and a woman. More liberal Christians deem that homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. They argue that a trajectory is outlined in Scripture, revealing God's ever expanding love and encompassing of what was once forbidden. The liberal argument also often involves complex translation and linguistic discrepancies between editions of the bible, as well as a [[symbolic reading]] of the text, while the conservative argument relies on a strict reading of the passages.

In the developed world, particularly North-Western [[Europe]] and [[North America]], many church [[denominations]] have embraced the liberal viewpoint, sometimes causing strife within congregations. One of the major developments in recent years has been in the [[Episcopal Church]] of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, [[Gene Robinson]], was ordained as a bishop. This caused divide within the [[Anglican Communion]], and in 2008, pressured by conservative congregation members, resulted in a conference being called to challenge the ruling; however, the church ruled in favor of Gene Robinson.

Homosexuality, in recent years, has become one of the most controversial issues in Christianity, if not the singularly most controversial, particularly due to western society's gradual acceptance of homosexuality, partly due to work in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and philosophy that are often in opposition to the position of many conservative denominations. Difficulties concerning homosexuality also arise due to conflicting translations and conflict between passages directly remarking on homosexuality and other, more broad passages, that propose complex, semantic questions.

===Biblical passages===

There are a number of Biblical passage that refer to homosexuality.

1 Timothy briefly refers to homosexuality in the context of a list of things, which he deems as sin, that he has seen.
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[1 Timothy 1]]:[[Bible:1 Timothy 1:8|8]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:9|-]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:10|10]]

In Leviticus, God speaks through Moses of the nature of homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|22|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|24|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Leviticus 18]]:[[Bible:Leviticus 18:22|22]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:23|-]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:24|24]]

: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|20|13|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Leviticus 20:13|Leviticus 20:13]]

1 Corinthians, like Paul's letter to Timothy, also notes homosexuality within a list of other sins:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]],[[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:10|10]]

In Romans, Paul again refers to homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|1|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|27|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|28|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Romans 1]]:[[Bible:Romans 1:26|26]][[Bible:Romans 1:27|-]][[Bible:Romans 1:28|28]]

The writers of the [[New Testament]] also occasionally note homosexuality. In Jude and 2 Peter homosexuality is again mentioned:
: ''{{Bible verse|Jude|1|7|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Jude 1:7|Jude 7]]

: ''{{Bible verse|2 Peter|2|6|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:2 Peter 2:6|2 Peter 2:6]]

===Recent Views in the World and Christianity===

While world views regarding homosexuality have and do vary drastically from one location to another, the opinion of homosexuality in Western culture has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, as work in the fields of psychoanalysis, psychology, philosophy, biology and sociology have begun to address it more. Until 1976, the DSM-4 noted homosexuality as a philia, a compulsion related only to sexual interaction, but studies by the likes of Kinsey and others pressured its overturning; a political movement for equal rights by gays was occurring simultaneously in many parts of America and Europe, and also issued some pressure for the definition of homosexuality to be changed, which it eventually was.

Since this time, a vast amount of research has been designated to the issue, the results of which, although occasionally marred by detractors, have typically been conclusive in their findings in support of the 1976 overturning, which has caused the world view of homosexuality to slowly evolve, particularly with the newer generations. As such, many liberal Christians accuse conservative denominations of being "behind the times", while conservative Christians refer to the above-mentioned passages in the bible as support for a moral high ground. Many countries are slowly overturning laws or adding provisions to their constitutions to allow gay marriage, as have many states in America, although bills that mandate the acceptance of same sex marriage are often overturned; it is an issue that the Federal Supreme Court has delayed ruling on numerous times. However, a large portion of religious Americans and Europeans still object to homosexuality or gay marriage, typically for moral reasons.

===Famous Religious Homosexuals in History===

Queen Anne (Monarch)[[:Template:Br]]
Susan B. Anthony (Social Reformer)[[:Template:Br]]
Saint Augustine (Priest, Theologian, Philosopher)[[:Template:Br]]
Charles Baudelaire (Poet, Essayist)[[:Template:Br]]
Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)[[:Template:Br]]
Benedict IX (Pope)[[:Template:Br]]
George Washington Carver (Chemist, Inventor)[[:Template:Br]]
Catherine the Great (Tzar)[[:Template:Br]]
Charles IX (Monarch)[[:Template:Br]]
Donatello (Sculptor)[[:Template:Br]]
Ralph Waldo Emmerson (Writer, Philosopher)[[:Template:Br]]
Alexander Hamilton (Politician)[[:Template:Br]]
George Friedrich Handel (Composer)[[:Template:Br]]
Vladimir Horowitz (Pianist)[[:Template:Br]]
Edward Irving (Theologian)[[:Template:Br]]
James I (Monarch)[[:Template:Br]]
John XXII (Pope)[[:Template:Br]]
Janis Joplin (Singer)[[:Template:Br]]
John Keynes (Economist)[[:Template:Br]]
Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, Inventor, Genius Savant)[[:Template:Br]]
Louis XVIII (Monarch)[[:Template:Br]]
Joseph McCarthy (Politician)[[:Template:Br]]
Niccolo Machiavelli (Politician, Philosopher)[[:Template:Br]]
Michelangelo (Artist)[[:Template:Br]]
Isaac Newton (Physicist)[[:Template:Br]]
Paul VI (Pope)[[:Template:Br]]
Pius XII (Pope)[[:Template:Br]]
Raphael (Artist)[[:Template:Br]]
Richard I (Monarch)[[:Template:Br]]
Sviatoslav Richter (Pianist)[[:Template:Br]]
Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher)[[:Template:Br]]
Franz Schubert (Composer)[[:Template:Br]]
William Shakespeare (Writer)[[:Template:Br]]
Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky (Composer)[[:Template:Br]]
Walt Whitman (Poet)[[:Template:Br]]
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosopher, Mathematician, Genius Savant)[[:Template:Br]]

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Sexuality and Christianity]]

Homosexuality

2010-02-01T02:39:54Z

Skeptopotamus:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Sexuality and Christianity |
subtopics = [[Marriage]]
* [[Homosexuality]]
* {{news}}
** [[United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests]]
** [[Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}}
* [[Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)]]
* [[Christianity and Homosexuality (Pilhet)]] |
}}

Homosexuality refers to intimate relationships between two people of the same gender. Few issues cause as much division in today's [[church]] as the issue of [[homosexual]] relationships and this relates in part to the deeper issue of Biblical Authority. Some conservative Christians argue that the [[Bible]] states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a [[marriage]] between a man and a woman. More liberal Christians deem that homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. They argue that a trajectory is outlined in Scripture, revealing God's ever expanding love and encompassing of what was once forbidden. The liberal argument also often involves complex translation and linguistic discrepancies between editions of the bible, as well as a [[symbolic reading]] of the text, while the conservative argument relies on a strict reading of the passages.

In the developed world, particularly North-Western [[Europe]] and [[North America]], many church [[denominations]] have embraced the liberal viewpoint, sometimes causing strife within congregations. One of the major developments in recent years has been in the [[Episcopal Church]] of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, [[Gene Robinson]], was ordained as a bishop. This caused divide within the [[Anglican Communion]], and in 2008, pressured by conservative congregation members, resulted in a conference being called to challenge the ruling; however, the church ruled in favor of Gene Robinson.

Homosexuality, in recent years, has become one of the most controversial issues in Christianity, if not the singularly most controversial, particularly due to western society's gradual acceptance of homosexuality, partly due to work in the fields of psychology, sociology, biology and philosophy that are often in opposition to the position of many conservative denominations. Difficulties concerning homosexuality also arise due to conflicting translations and conflict between passages directly remarking on homosexuality and other, more broad passages, that propose complex, semantic questions.

===Biblical passages===

There are a number of Biblical passage that refer to homosexuality.

1 Timothy briefly refers to homosexuality in the context of a list of things, which he deems as sin, that he has seen.
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|8|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Timothy|1|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[1 Timothy 1]]:[[Bible:1 Timothy 1:8|8]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:9|-]][[Bible:1 Timothy 1:10|10]]

In Leviticus, God speaks through Moses of the nature of homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|22|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|23|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Leviticus|18|24|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Leviticus 18]]:[[Bible:Leviticus 18:22|22]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:23|-]][[Bible:Leviticus 18:24|24]]

: ''{{Bible verse|Leviticus|20|13|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Leviticus 20:13|Leviticus 20:13]]

1 Corinthians, like Paul's letter to Timothy, also notes homosexuality within a list of other sins:
: ''{{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|9|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|1 Corinthians|6|10|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]],[[Bible:1 Corinthians 6:10|10]]

In Romans, Paul again refers to homosexuality:
: ''{{Bible verse|Romans|1|26|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|27|lang=WEB}} {{Bible verse|Romans|1|28|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Romans 1]]:[[Bible:Romans 1:26|26]][[Bible:Romans 1:27|-]][[Bible:Romans 1:28|28]]

The writers of the [[New Testament]] also occasionally note homosexuality. In Jude and 2 Peter homosexuality is again mentioned:
: ''{{Bible verse|Jude|1|7|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:Jude 1:7|Jude 7]]

: ''{{Bible verse|2 Peter|2|6|lang=WEB}}''
:: - [[Bible:2 Peter 2:6|2 Peter 2:6]]

===Recent Views in the World and Christianity===

While world views regarding homosexuality have and do vary drastically from one location to another, the opinion of homosexuality in Western culture has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, as work in the fields of psychoanalysis, psychology, philosophy, biology and sociology have begun to address it more. Until 1976, the DSM-4 noted homosexuality as a philia, a compulsion related only to sexual interaction, but studies by the likes of Kinsey and others pressured its overturning; a political movement for equal rights by gays was occurring simultaneously in many parts of America and Europe, and also issued some pressure for the definition of homosexuality to be changed, which it eventually was.

Since this time, a vast amount of research has been designated to the issue, the results of which, although occasionally marred by detractors, have typically been conclusive in their findings in support of the 1976 overturning, which has caused the world view of homosexuality to slowly evolve, particularly with the newer generations. As such, many liberal Christians accuse conservative denominations of being "behind the times", while conservative Christians refer to the above-mentioned passages in the bible as support for a moral high ground. Many countries are slowly overturning laws or adding provisions to their constitutions to allow gay marriage, as have many states in America, although bills that mandate the acceptance of same sex marriage are often overturned; it is an issue that the Federal Supreme Court has delayed ruling on numerous times. However, a large portion of religious Americans and Europeans still object to homosexuality or gay marriage, typically for moral reasons.

===Famous Religious Homosexuals in History===

Queen Anne (Monarch)
Susan B. Anthony (Social Reformer)
Saint Augustine (Priest, Theologian, Philosopher)
Charles Baudelaire (Poet, Essayist)
Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)
Benedict IX (Pope)
George Washington Carver (Chemist, Inventor)
Catherine the Great (Tzar)
Charles IX (Monarch)
Donatello (Sculptor)
Ralph Waldo Emmerson (Writer, Philosopher)
Alexander Hamilton (Politician)
George Friedrich Handel (Composer)
Vladimir Horowitz (Pianist)
Edward Irving (Theologian)
James I (Monarch)
John XXII (Pope)
Janis Joplin (Singer)
John Keynes (Economist)
Leonardo da Vinci (Artist, Inventor, Genius Savant)
Louis XVIII (Monarch)
Joseph McCarthy (Politician)
Niccolo Machiavelli (Politician, Philosopher)
Michelangelo (Artist)
Isaac Newton (Physicist)
Paul VI (Pope)
Pius XII (Pope)
Raphael (Artist)
Richard I (Monarch)
Sviatoslav Richter (Pianist)
Arthur Schopenhauer (Philosopher)
Franz Schubert (Composer)
William Shakespeare (Writer)
Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky (Composer)
Walt Whitman (Poet)
Ludwig Wittgenstein (Philosopher, Mathematician, Genius Savant)

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Sexuality and Christianity]]