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CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS ON HOMOSEXUALITY - Coggle Diagram
CHRISTIAN TEACHINGS ON HOMOSEXUALITY
SOCIETY AND THE LAW ON HOMOSEXUALITY
Until the second half of the 20th cent, social attitudes views same sex relationships as natural and to be discouraged
the practice of homosexuality , even in private, was illegal and until early 19th century, was punishable by death
gay people often lived in fear of ridicule, assault and public exposure
in the last 50 years both uk law and prevailing social attitudes have changed radically although homophobia is still seen within some individuals
in 1967 homo acts carried out in private between consenting adults were decriminalised
in 2005 laws permitting both civil partnerships and same sex adoptions came into force
in 2010 the equality act ,Ade discriminations on the ground of sexual orientation became a crime and this has led to a number of prosecutions
in march 2014 the first same sex marriage took place
these marriages ere civil ceremonies; religious bodies were permitted not to perform them od they didnt wish to
CHRISTIANITY & HOMOSEXUALITY
The changing views of society which have been reflected on the laws of many western countries have posed a considerable challenge to christianity
the official position of some churches is clear but individual members of those churched do not necessarily agree with those views
one of the key figures pressing for decriminalisation in the mid 20th century had then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey fisher
BIBLICAL TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY
There area number of texts that refer to homosexuality, or homo acts as a sin:
in the Old Testament homosexuality was said to be an abomination that was punishable by death
in the new testament Paul twice denounced homosexuality including it in a list of other anti-social activities
gowvwer these have been interpreted differently by various scholars and churches in recent decades
may christians today would say that the old testemans laws and Pauls teaching in the New Testament reflect common cultural attitudes of the time so cannot directly be applies to modern life
in the sodium and Gomorrah story (genesis 19) , it has been assumed that gods destruction of those cities was because homo acts were threatened by a group of thugs
however a careful reading of the story males it clear that punishment in forms of destruction came more from lack of hospitality than for homosexuality
further to this, some claim that Davis and Jonathan and ruth and Naomi had same-sex relationships though in both cases that is debatable
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN VIEWS ON HOMOSEXUALITY
To some extent these are linked to views about the bible:
many evangelical protestants believe that he bible is the directly inspired and infallible ford of god
homosexual orientation and practice are thus both detestable and incompatible with being christian
other protestant churched take into account the insights of biblical criticism and of psychology and genetics
hey may fully support the changes in laws and seek to follow the example of Jesus who challanged social and religious injustice, treating all people equally
the Catholic Church distinguishes between orientation and practice
it accepts unreversedly those with homosexual inclinations, but expects them to be celibate
the Church of England is torn between the liberal and progressive views of many of its members, togther with the knowledge hat many of its clergy are gay
the official teaching is that gay relationships fall short of the ideal which is heterosexual marriage
but homosexuality should be treated with respect
howver clergy in gay relationships should practice celibacy