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Homosexality, Lesbianism, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism
An Apologetics Index research resource

Homosexality, Lesbianism, Bisexuality, Transgenderism

Homosexality, Lesbianism, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism

Homosexality, Lesbianism, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism


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From an evangelical, orthodox Christian perspective, homosexuality is immoral and sinful. However, while homosexual practices are considered sinful according to the Bible, ''they are not to be treated differently than other forms of sinful behavior'':

Masculinity and femininity are to be expressed in relationships between men and women, and homosexuality is improper in part because it seeks wholeness apart from the complementary responsibilities of men and women in the image of God. Homosexual practices are sinful according to the Bible, but they are not to be treated differently than other forms of sinful behavior, for everyone is in need of forgiveness and personal transformation in Christ.

Many homosexuals who also proclaim to be Christians believe the Bible is misinterpreted when it comes to its denouncement of homosexuality.

Various religious groups - including some Christian denominations - differ in their views regarding homosexuality.

Articles

Christian Gay Rights: Facts about Homosexuality by Faith Facts
Christian Homosexuality: Nature, Nurture and Compassion Dr. Robert A. Pyne, an associate speaker with Probe Ministries, and assistant professor in systematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Additional Probe articles about homosexuality
Christian Homosexual Theology by Kerby Anderson, president of Probe Ministries International. Addresses the reinterpretation of Bible passages by pro-homosexual commentators
Christian Homosexuality: The Christian Perspective by Lehman Strauss, Litt.D., F.R.G.S.
Christian Homosexuality - Questions and Answers by Sue Bohlin, of Probe Ministries
Christian Resources for Pastors and Church Leaders Collection of articles at the NewDirection web site
Christian Someone I know is gay or lesbian... A guide for relating to friends and acquaintances who experience same-sex attraction, by NewDirection

Books

Christian The Bible and Homosexual Practice : Texts and Hermeneutics by Robert A. J. Gagnon, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Gagnon offers the most thorough analysis to date of the biblical texts relating to homosexuality. His strong and clearly articulated argument establishes that the Bible contains a unanimous witness defining same-sex intercourse as sin. He does so while rigorously engaging biblical scholars and historians who have written both for and against this understanding of same-sex intercourse. In addition, he demonstrates systematically why attempts to classify as irrelevant for our contemporary context the Bible's rejection of same-sex intercourse fail to do justice to the biblical texts. His conclusions are clear and compassionate, as he cautions readers on all sides of the debate against a truncated gospel, and challenges all to strive for a holistic view of the command to love God and neighbor.
''"This is a brilliant, original, and highly important work, ... indispensable even for those who disagree with the author.''
- James Barr, Distinguished Professor of Hebrew Bible, Emeritus, Vanderbilt University
Source: From the Back Cover, as posted at Amazon.com

A revised and updated chapter from Stott's ''Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today'', this book reviews four clusters of biblical texts bearing on homosexuality together with their contemporary challenges. Stott then sensitively responds to five principal arguments advanced in favor of same-sex partnerships, addresses the AIDS epidemic, and concludes with a plea for Christian compassion toward the homosexual individual.

Stott asks, ''Is there a Christian way to combine biblical thinking about God's intention for human sexuality with an equally biblical attitude of understanding, respect, and support for persons with a homosexual disposition?'' Fair and compassionate, Stott provides biblical answers to that question.
Source: The publisher, Fleming H Revell Company, as posted at Amazon.com

Discuss

FAQ

Christian FAQ On the "Another Way Out" site (Another Way Out is sponsored by Christians who seek to help people desiring to change their sexual orientation.)
ChristianAberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Whosoever : FAQ Written by Candace Chellew, a lesbian Christian. Part of her site, Whosoever


• Glossary
Christian Words as Bridges, Words as Barriers: A primer on talking about sexual orientation, by NewDirection

News

» Religion News Blog Published by Apologetics Index, RNB logs current and archived news about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.

See Also

Sites

Another Way Out is sponsored by Christians who seek to help people desiring to change their sexual orientation. We pass no judgment on people in the world (1 Cor. 5:12). However, we offer hope to those who want change and believe change is impossible.

We also seek to challenge born-again Christians who claim that God condones homosexuality for those within the true Church (those who have been born of the Spirit). While the Bible gives no instructions concerning sexuality to the unsaved, those within the redeemed community are clearly commanded against homosexual practice (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

"This website is dedicated to the premise that...

"God loved the world so much, that Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, was freely given, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Yes, it's true! Gays have been likened to the lepers of our day, but just as Jesus reached out and touched the lepers when all others rejected them, so Jesus reaches out and touches we gays today, to explain to us that we are loved UNCONDITIONALLY by God, just as we are, just as we were created. God doesn't make mistakes and He does not require us to become straight! "

Exodus is a worldwide interdenominational, Christian organization called to encourage, strengthen, unify and equip Christians to minister the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ to those affected by homosexuality.

[A] non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the research, therapy and prevention of homosexuality.

NARTH, founded in 1992, is composed of psychoanalysts, psychoanalytically-informed psychologists, certified social workers, and other behavioral scientists, as well as laymen in fields such as law, religion, and education.

Christian New Direction "A pro-people organization offering Christian support to men and women choosing to leave homosexuality, and equipping the church to minister effectively and compassionately"

Christian Resources on Homosexuality Excellent collection of research resources, collected and presented by Michael Hamblin

ChristianAberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches The UFMMC is ''an inclusive worldwide Fellowship of Christian congregations with a special outreach to the world's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities.''

ChristianAberrational, Heretical, Heterodox, Suborthodox or Unorthodox Whoseover ''An Online Magazine for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Christians''


• Viewpoints: Religions and Homosexuality
» Poll Shows Strong Disapproval of Religious Sanctioning Of Same-Sex Relationships, The Washington Post, Aug. 14, 2003. "A strong majority of the public disapproves of the Episcopal Church's decision to recognize the blessing of same-sex unions, and a larger share of churchgoing Americans would object if their own faith adopted a similar practice, according to a new Washington Post poll."
» Study: Few gays practice their religion, Advocate.com, Aug. 7, 2003. "A significant percentage of gay men and lesbians belong to a certain religion, but few are practicing that religion, a recent survey has revealed. More than six out of 10 (63.7%) respondents to the 2002-2003 Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census said they are affiliated with a particular religion; 38% said they are practicing members."
» You don't have to be a mad extremist to oppose Jeffrey John The Telegraph (England), July 11, 2003 (Opinion). Presents an evangelical Christian point of view on the subject of homosexuality (this item was written in response to the appointment - later withdrawn - of the gay theologian Dr Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading).
» Out of the Fold? TIME, July 3, 2000. "The debate over gay ordination and same-sex unions poses a critical choice for mainline Protestants: Embrace or schism?"
» Gays and religion: Where some major denominatitions stand, Star Tribune, May 17, 2003
» Religious views on homosexuality and gay marriage, Statesman Journal, Mar. 7, 2004
» A sampling of churches divided, Sidebar to the article, Church divide over gays has a global audience, Los Angeles Times, Oct. 14, 2007


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Homosexality, Lesbianism, Bisexuality, and Transgenderism
First posted: Jan. 16, 1998
Last Updated: Jul. 30, 2012
Editors: Anton and Janet Hein
Copyright: Apologetics Index
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