Homosexuality and Christianity
Overview
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation
and homosexuality
, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions
, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex, but teach that homosexual relationships and sexual acts are sinful. These denominations include the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Methodist churches
, and some other mainline denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America
the American Baptist Church
, as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance
, the Presbyterian Church in America
and the Southern Baptist Convention
.
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
and homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions
Abrahamic religions
Abrahamic religions are the monotheistic faiths emphasizing and tracing their common origin to Abraham or recognizing a spiritual tradition identified with him...
, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex, but teach that homosexual relationships and sexual acts are sinful. These denominations include the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Methodist churches
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, and some other mainline denominations, such as the Reformed Church in America
Reformed Church in America
The Reformed Church in America is a mainline Reformed Protestant denomination in Canada and the United States. It has about 170,000 members, with the total declining in recent decades. From its beginning in 1628 until 1819, it was the North American branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1819, it...
the American Baptist Church
American Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA is a Baptist Christian denomination within the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The organization is usually considered mainline, although varying theological and mission emphases may be found among its...
, as well as Conservative Evangelical organizations and churches, such as the Evangelical Alliance
Evangelical Alliance
The Evangelical Alliance is a London-based charitable organization founded in 1846. It has a claimed representation of over 1,000,000 evangelical Christians in the United Kingdom and is the oldest alliance of evangelical Christians in the world....
, the Presbyterian Church in America
Presbyterian Church in America
The Presbyterian Church in America is an evangelical Protestant Christian denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States after the Presbyterian Church . The PCA professes a strong commitment to evangelism, missionary work, and Christian education...
and the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
.
