Homosexuality & bisexuality

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The impact of religion on
homosexuality and bisexuality

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Background:

Prior to Evelyn Hooker's pioneering studies in the 1950s that investigated the mental health of persons with a homosexual orientation, there was a near consensus in North America that homosexuality was a mental illness. Many felt that same-sex sexual behavior should remain criminalized.

Hooker's studies eventually led to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removing homosexual orientation from their list of mental illnesses in 1973. Other professional organizations have since followed suit. Currently almost all regard homosexuality as one of three normal and natural sexual orientations -- the two others being bisexuality and heterosexuality. This put some pressure on religious communities to at least review their traditional position on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) rights, protections and other issues.

Faith groups generally establish and change their policies based on four considerations:

1. What passages in their holy book -- e.g. the Bible -- say and mean about the topic, as interpreted by theologians within their faith group.
2. The faith group's traditional teachings.
3. Personal experiences.
4. Scientific findings.

However:

	Liberal and progressive religious groups, like the Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, United Church of Canada, etc. and secularists tend to emphasize factors 3 and 4. Some groups have opened offices of LGBT concern.
	Conservative religious groups like fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians tend to emphasize factors 1 and 2, and have continued their anti-gay beliefs and policies.
	Mainline denominations tend to split internally with their members using various criteria and reaching diverse conflicting conclusions.

At the start of 2010:

	Progressive religious and secular groups have generally accepted minority sexual orientations as normal, natural, unchosen, fixed, and morally neutral among a minority of adults. They recognize that sexual behaviors that are unsafe, manipulative, or non-consensual are sinful, whether done by persons of the same sex or opposite sexes. Most advocate marriage equality -- making marriage available to all loving committed couples, whether they consist of a woman and man, or are of the same sex. They are also active in promoting equal human rights and protections for persons of all sexual orientations.
	Conservative groups have retained their beliefs that minority sexualities are abnormal, unnatural, chosen, and are changeable, with some effort. Further, they consider same-sex behavior to be intrinsically morally abhorrent, regardless of the nature of the relationship. Most take an active role opposing same-sex marriage, and opposing equal human rights and protections for persons of minority sexual orientations.
	Mainline denominations are experiencing a split among their membership on same-sex marriage and human rights.

One very interesting exception to the above are the Mennonite communities. They have traditionally been conservative theologically. However, they also have a long tradition of concern over human rights. Almost alone among the conservative wing of Christianity, there is an active dialog underway within their group. If they are able to reach a near consensus in the future, other conservative denominations may be able to follow their lead.

Topics covered in this section: (Important topics are marked with ">>"

	>> Six common viewpoints by religious folks about homosexuality
	Dialogue within the Mennonite community (This essay is currently being written)
	Dialoging  about homosexuality: should religion trump human rights?
	A conflict between anti-homophobia education and religious freedom
	Religious belief & the desire to criminalize homosexual sexual behavior
	>> How religions established, changed, and continue to change their teachings on sexual orientation, slavery, the role of women, and other topics
	Why conservative and liberal Christians differ so completely on homosexuality.
	>> Individual faith groups' policies and beliefs about homosexuality
	>> Positive beliefs by 19 individual clergy & theologians -- mostly mainline and liberal
	Conflicts among conservative, mainline & liberal wings of Christianity
	A gay group facilitator says opposition to organized religion is not the answer
	Who is correct about homosexuality? Religious conservatives or others?
	Teaching about homosexuality and homophobia in public schools
	Conflict over Ipod "apps," mainly involving Exodus International, LGBT's and Apple
	>> Within mainline denominations, is compromise possible, or is schism inevitable? An examination of the homosexual conflict in various Christian denominations
	The Bible and homosexuality: >> What the Bible says about homosexuality -- the famous "clobber" passages What the Bible says about same-sex marriage (actually, not a lot) >> The diversity of family and marriage types in the Bible One writer's beliefs
	Roman Catholicism, homosexuality and the priesthood: Homosexual orientation among priests Homosexuality among seminary students Exclusion of Roman Catholic Priests from seminaries
	Conservative Protestant beliefs and practices: >> Is opposition to homosexuality based on hate or love? "Ex-gay" newspaper & TV ads Anti-gay hate sites on the Internet Promoting anti-homosexual legislation Communicating salvation and repentance to gays and lesbians Conflicts over homosexuality in the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE)

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Copyright © 1996 to 2011 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Last updated 2011-APR-26
Author: Bruce A Robinson

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