Diverging Opinions in Modern Era
Main article: Homosexuality and Christianity See also: Biblical law in ChristianityHistorically, Christian churches have regarded homosexual sex as sinful, based on the Catholic understanding of the natural law and traditional interpretations of certain passages in the Bible. This position is today affirmed by most Christian groups, including the Catholic (1.1 billion members) and Orthodox (250 million members) Churches, part of Protestant denominations, especially among Evangelicals such as the Southern Baptist Convention (16.3 million members), the LDS Church (13 million members), and the United Methodist Church (12 million members).
However, a small minority interpret biblical passages differently and argue that homosexuality can be seen as morally acceptable. This approach has been taken by a number of denominations in America, notably the United Church of Canada (2.8 million members), the United Church of Christ (1.1 million members), the Moravian Church (825,000 members), the Anglican Episcopal church, the Anglican Church of Canada (800,000 members), the Liberal Catholic Church, Friends General Conference, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Relatively great denominations had taken this approach in Europe like united, reformed and Lutheran churches in EKD (24.5 million members) in Germany, Church of Sweden in Sweden (6,6 million members), Church of Norway in Norway, Church of Denmark in Denmark or Protestant Church of the Netherlands in Netherlands (3,9 million members), reformed churches in SEK in Switzerland, the Methodist Church of Great Britain (330,000 members) and Church of Scotland.
A new denomination, the Metropolitan Community Church (40,000 members), has also come into existence specifically to serve the Christian LGBT community. However, individual Christians maintain a variety of beliefs on this subject that may or may not correspond to their official church doctrines. Some mainline Protestant denominations in the United States have also removed language in their bylaws which suggest that homosexuality is a sinful state of being. The Book of Order used by the PCUSA reflects this change. Similar modifications in position can also be seen in the Lutheran ELCA and Disciples of Christ. Although acceptance of sexually active LGBT laity has increased in terms of actual practice and in terms of church law, some of these denominations continue to limit leadership and clergy roles for LGBT persons. Red-Letter Christians propose that Christianity has been exploited by political movements and emphasis instead should be restored to the teachings of Jesus. A number of denominations, like the aforementioned United Methodists, remain divided over the issues relating to homosexuality, with a large number of members pushing for changes in the church's Book of Discipline to allow for full inclusion of LGBT persons in the life of the church.
Read more about this topic: History Of Christianity And Homosexuality
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