Christian Opinion on Homosexuality and Same-sex Marriage

The issue of acceptability of homosexuality in our societies is a debatable topic in the modern world. Many religions, especially Christianity, believe that sexuality is a gift from God and should not be misused. The beginning point in understanding the creation of humanity is that all human beings are made in the image of God, implying that we are all equal. Traditionally, Christians have been against homosexuality, and they condemn it, arguing that it is against the will of God. They base their arguments on the Bible and believe that God was harsh against any person who supported or held positive views on homosexuality. However, there is a division in Christianity beliefs as others consider homosexuality as any sexual identity just like a male or female. Recently, some Christians softened their stand and believed gays should enjoy all their rights. Nevertheless, majority of the Christians are against homosexuality because God created male and females for procreation, it is unnatural and unacceptable in the eyes of God, it is sinful to become homosexual, and that homosexuality changes the natural law of God.

Christians believe that God created Adam and Eve for procreation, and thus He is against the same-sex relationship. Christians base their arguments against homosexuality on account of creation. The first chapter of the Bible describes the origin of and his relationship with God. According to King James' version, God created man and woman and ordered them to procreate. The Bible says, 'And God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Human beings cannot fulfill this purpose if they engage in same-sex marriage. God was specific that a man and a woman shall come together for wellness and sustainability of the world. In Genesis 2: 24, God says, 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” In this case, God allows a couple to enjoy sexual pleasure while at the same time producing children. 

Nevertheless, there are radical views about the order of procreation, as some Christians believe that people have the right to engage in intimacy if they won't procreate. They argue that people can also enjoy a sexual relationship even if they belong to the same sex. This argument is, however, bound to the interpretation of the Bible, and they believe sexual feelings come from God; thus, no one should forbid homosexuality. On the debate on whether same-sex is allowed, Yi, Jung, and Phillips note cases of punished to pastors who refused to unite sex-same marriage. They give an example of a Swedish court that jailed a pastor for reading a Bible verse against homosexuality. They also note that in the United States, someone was imprisoned for six months and forced to pay a fine of $1,000 for refusing to preside a same-sex marriage. These radical Christians believe that because it is not necessarily that sexual union should result in children, and then there is no reason to prevent people from showing physical expression of love. Therefore, the Bible instructs people to engage in a relationship that would result in children, and same-sex associations cannot lead in such. 

Christians also oppose homosexuality because it is unnatural and inconsistent with the will of God. Christians believe that there is no example in the Bible, where people engage in a same-sex relationship and go unpunished. They think that marriage should be heterosexual, and God doesn’t recognize anything else. Traditional beliefs regarded as immoral and unacceptable by God, and this is the reason He punished any person or group that attempted the vice. The doctrine of Christianity does not allow the act, and they base their arguments on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19: 24, God punished the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah by saying, 'Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;.' God's wrath is also evident in verse 25 as it says “And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” Therefore, Christians believe that God punished the men of these cities because they practiced sodomy. Christians also use the same argument to condemn other behaviors such as lesbianism, transsexuals, and bisexuals. Toensing adds on the same by claiming that God hates fags, which are famous words that appear on placards of Christian Right movements as they protest gays and lesbians.

However, some people argue that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because they violated the laws of hospitality and not because of homosexuality. For instance, in Genesis 19: 5: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came into thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them”. Some scholars such as Gnuse claim that God destroyed men of Sodom and Gomorrah because they failed to respect hospitality which was an essential aspect in the Middle East during that time. Janssen and Scheepers support the argument as they claim that men of Sodom and Gomorrah were using sexual violence to show dominance on the strangers which was wrong in the eyes of God. God wanted them to treat others with respect and welcome them into the city. Nevertheless, God punished the perpetrators, which shows that He was agitated by their acts, and it was a way of appealing to them to change their behavior. Christians mostly use this scripture in the war against people engaging in homosexuality because God does not approve it, and He terms it immoral. 

Third, Christians believe that homosexuality is sin, and same-sex marriage is not acceptable by God. Christians regard both the Old and New Testaments to be against homosexuality, and they think it a habit that everyone should condemn. In Leviticus 20: 13, the Bible says “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” It is a harsh condemnation against the behavior, and God instructs such people should be killed. Paul holds the same views as he says in 1 Corinthians 6: 9, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with humankind” Paul further adds to the list in verse 10, “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Paul writes to the Corinthians to show his stand on same-sex relationships. The Roman Catholic Church follows letters of Paul closely, and they use them to teach the doctrine. Christians hold that homosexuality is a sin, and no one will enter the kingdom of God if they violate the laws on sexuality. They further claim that Jesus affirmed the Leviticus' understanding of sexuality by stating that same-sex relations are a sin. On this note, various religious institutions do not allow same-sex marriage. Some of these institutions are the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Jewish movement, Southern Baptist Convention, Church of Jesus, and other evangelist Protestant denominations. Furthermore, the National Baptist Convention, which is the largest black church in America and Assemblies of God, also prohibit same-sex relationship.

Nevertheless, there is growing concern as some churches support homosexuality, arguing that the word was not inexistent in the inception of the Bible. As a result, some Christians support the behavior, which includes the Unitarian Universality Association, Reform and Conservative Jewish movements, and the United Church of Christ. Pope also raised the concern about same-sex marriage while addressing the issue about the young people who believe that God hates them because they practice homosexuality. In the recent past, the Roman Catholic has had a soft stand on the attitude towards homosexuality. Although pope reiterated that we could not equate same-sex marriage to the traditional marriage, he sees discrimination against homosexuals as unjust. Pope argues that Christians should not help others make moral decisions and help them lead a holy life. 

Lastly, Christians believe that engaging in homosexuality is writing God's rules, which should not be an option to the Christians. Christians should follow Christ’s teachings and should not change the scriptures. Christians believe that as the world changes, people adopt behavior and rules that justify such action. Although homosexuality is not a new concept, people are engaging in the vice, which contradicts the teachings of God. Stern & Wright believe that although there is a vague condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible, there are still similar vices which were wrong in the eyes of God. Some of these actions include slavery, animal sacrifice, the subordination of women, and polygamy were also forbidden in both Old and New Testaments. God's scripture should remain unaltered, and people should also refrain from changing their bodies. Although there are also concerning repenting, people should not challenge the will and the decision of God. It means that they should not change their bodies other than how God created them. It means that they should also not break the law of nature of having sexual relation only between people from different sex. The Christians further believe that homosexuality is not a choice, but people should choose, but instead, they should follow God’s commandments. 

However, some Christians believe that people should not condemn homosexuals in a hatred manner. They argue that even Jesus had a soft stand on the woman who was found guilty of committing adultery. There is a growing reconciliation between Christians and same-sex groups as they believe that societies should give such people a chance to express their feelings. Some churches support institutions that support same-sex relationships such as Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus and Q Christian Fellowship. These Christians believe that gays are also children of God, and people should extend love to anyone, including them.

In summation, the topic of homosexuality has raised many concerns among Christians. Some believe that God created everyone equally; thus; homosexuals are free to enjoy their rights. Others condemn the vice claiming that God created man and female to sire and filled the earth, a responsibility that same-sex marriage cannot achieve. Moreover, same-sex marriage is not accepted, and Bible terms it as sin. Christians further oppose homosexuality because it is an attempt to change the laws of nature as God intended. Therefore, Christians still believe that homosexuality is not acceptable in their doctrines and should be condemned.

Bibliography

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