Can you be a gay christian?

LET’S face the facts — God’s love knows no bounds, and we are often told that Christ hates the sin and not the sinner. But when it comes to homosexuals, is there an exception to the rule? Can they rightfully proclaim that they are Christians, since Christ loves all?

It is often said that the litmus test with all things is scripture, and how one rightly interprets the word of God. As a result, scripture is clear that you cannot comfortably and habitually engage in sin and call yourself a Christian. This simply means that whether you are a fornicator, adulterer, homosexual, thief, liar, idolater — and the list goes on and on — it is still the same thing — sin.

Moreover, the Bible presents a lifelong marriage between a man and a woman as normal, and anything that deviates from that as reprobate. Two out of many passages of scripture see homosexual practices as a crime punishable by death — Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. However, in the New Testament, Paul indicates that the Gospel provided salvation to homosexuals and other sinners so that they don’t practise it any more, but live a life pleasing to God.

According to Reverend Karl Johnson, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, the issue of homosexuality has become increasingly visible in our generation for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, acceptance of the practice by the media/movie/television industry; viewing the practice as a human rights issue and not a moral issue; legislative support by many countries and not just by the so-called ‘developed’ ones, and greater acceptance of the practice by some churches.

“All of the above has served to make a practice/behaviour/issue that was once viewed as taboo, vulgar, unnatural, abnormal by most societies, appear more acceptable. Clearly, from the above, the church, which is a part of society, and which is still seen by many as having the responsibility of being the ‘moral’ voice and authority, has contributed wittingly/unwittingly to both the increased visibility of the practice and the confusion/debate surrounding its acceptability,” Johnson said.

He said this background may be helpful in reflecting on the question of whether there can be a gay Christian or a Christian who is gay.

“Is the question an expedition of ‘oxymoronic’ proportions? With several biblical texts mired in debate over their meaning, for example, the Genesis 18/19 story of Sodom and Gomorrah; Leviticus 18’s pronouncement of death for those who practise such things; Paul’s words in Romans about ‘unnatural acts’, among others, I believe we have to develop an understanding of God’s intention for the relationship between the sexes. In doing so we have to tread carefully in selecting ‘proof texts’ and develop a wider understanding from the whole counsel of scripture,” Johnson explained.

He added: “Based on that, I submit that any attempt to portray homosexual activity and behaviour as normal and therefore as an acceptable equivalent of heterosexual activity and behaviour should be rejected. People with a homosexual orientation who profess the Christian faith should strive for celibacy, with complete dependence on the transforming, enabling and sufficient grace of God.”Johnson said perhaps the question should be rephrased, “Not… can there be a Christian who is gay, but can a professing Christian be a practising homosexual? And the answer is to let the jury decide.”

Below All Woman asked a few people whether they believe someone could be gay and proclaim themselves as a fellow believer.

Joshua:

I don’t think so. Many people like to say the love is universal and God loves everyone. He does, but what separates us is our sinful versus righteous living. If we are Christians we will go by the holy book, which is the Bible, and it specifically speaks about this. Even if we don’t want to look there, look at the animals. There is one male and one female. That’s the order of things. Sin is sin, they sin differently from a fornicator, but it’s still sin. So no, a homosexual, fornicator or anyone living in sin can’t be a Christian. You may believe in God, yes, but you can’t say you’re His follower if you’re going against what He teaches.

Ashley:

I’m agnostic, and I really think that people can identify religiously with whatever they feel, regardless of their lifestyle.

Chris:

Honestly, I’m God-fearing and I know the Bible says those who live a sinful life can’t enter God’s kingdom and the kingdom is for Christians. I know that homosexuality is not Christ-like, so no, you can’t be gay and be Christian.

Paula:

For me, coming completely out of a sinful life takes time. Today you accept Christ, tomorrow you won’t be perfect or even close to it. You take time to rid yourself of habits, but you consciously know that you can’t do certain things anymore. So if someone is gay and decides they want to be a Christian, I won’t judge them and say no, you aren’t. Temptations for that person will be greater. What matters is that they are taking steps to turn around their life. Saints are all sinners who fell down and got up.

Martin:

No. There is no explanation needed either. Same way if you see Jane stealing but is singing on the choir you’re going say she is no Christian, it’s the same way I’m going to look and say John who’s lying down with Tom is sullying God’s house.