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Homosexuality and Christianity

Anglican

Eastern Orthodox

Latter-day Saints

Metropolitan Community Church

Presbyterian

Religious Society of Friends

Detailed list

v • d • e

This is a list of Christian denominational positions on homosexuality. The issue of homosexuality and Christianity is a subject of on-going theological debate within and between Christian denominations and this list seeks to summarise the official positions of them. It should be noted that within these denominations many members may hold somewhat differing views on and even differing definitions of homosexuality. The list is in alphabetical order and includes denominations self-identified as Christian, which may not be so recognised by the other denominations.

Contents 1 Summary table 2 Adventism 3 Anglicanism 4 Baptists 5 Christian Reformed Church in North America 6 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7 Eastern orthodox churches 8 Lutheranism 9 Methodism 10 Metropolitan Community Church 11 Moravian Church 12 New Apostolic Church 13 Old Catholic Church 14 Pentecostalism 15 Presbyterianism 16 Quakerism 17 Reformed (URC and CANRC) 18 Roman Catholic Church 18.1 General 18.2 Homosexuality and priesthood 19 Swedenborgianism 20 Unification Church 21 United Church of Canada 22 United Church of Christ 23 Uniting Church in Australia 24 See also 25 References 26 External links

The following table illustrates the status of non-celibate gays and lesbians in the denominations discussed in this article. See also: Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches.

Denomination	Allows as members	Ordains	Blesses unions	Marries
Adventist	Yes	No	No	No
African Methodist Episcopal Zion	Yes	No	No	No
Anglican	Yes[citation needed]	Varies[citation needed] (allowed in most developed countries, banned in African provinces (except Southern Africa)	Varies[citation needed]	No[citation needed]
Baptist	Varies	No	No	No
Christian Reformed	Yes	Varies[citation needed]	Varies	No
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("Mormons")	Varies	No	No	No
Eastern Orthodox	Yes	No	No	No
Jehovah's Witnesses	No	No	No	No
Lutheran	Yes	Many LWF=Yes, ELCA, some other LWF. & Others (ILC, CELC, etc) =No	LWF=Varies, ELCA, Others (ILC, CELC, etc) =No	No
Methodist	Yes	Varies	Varies	No
Metropolitan Community Church	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Moravian	Yes	Moratorium on debate	Moratorium on debate	Moratorium on debate
New Apostolic	Yes	No	No	No
Pentecostal	Yes	No	No	No
Presbyterian	Yes	PCUSA= Yes, Others = No	PCUSA and Church of Scotland=Yes, URC and Canada=No	No
Reformed (URC and CANRC)	No	No	No	No
Religious Society of Friends (Quaker)	Yes	No ordained clergy	Varies by meeting	Varies by meeting
Roman Catholic	Yes (may be refused sacraments)	No. (Pope Benedict XVI has recently reiterated that those with homosexual tendencies should not be permitted into priesthood. Previous, similar assertions were widely disobeyed. However, homosexuality has never been officially tolerated and is grounds for expulsion from the priesthood.)	No	No
Old Catholic	Yes	Yes	Yes (Europe) in Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland	No
Swedenborgian	Yes	New Church=No; Swedenborgian Church=Yes	New Church=No; Swedenborgian Church=Minister's discretion	New Church=No; Swedenborgian Church=Minister's discretion
Unification Church	Yes	No	No	No
Unitarian Universalist	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
United Church of Canada	Yes	Yes, congregation may decline to call	Not applicable	yes, but only with approval of local session
United Church of Christ	Yes Varies by congregation[citation needed]	Generally Yes, but Varies by Association	Generally Yes, Varies by congregation	Generally Yes, Varies by congregation
Uniting Church in Australia	Yes	Yes, Presbytery's discretion	?	No

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is opposed to same-gender sexual practices and relationships on the grounds that "sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and a woman." It believes the Bible consistently affirms the pattern of heteromonogamy, and all sexual relations outside the scope of spousal intimacy are contrary to God's original plan.^[1]

The Anglican Communion has been divided over the issue of homosexuality. Generally the provinces of Europe, North America, Central America, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand and southern Africa, hold the view that there are no grounds to condemn homosexuality as sinful in the Bible. Other provinces in the majority of Africa where a substantial portion of Anglicans reside, as well as the West Indies hold the view that homosexuality is a sin and believe there are Biblical grounds for its condemnation and have threatened schism if their counterparts continue their theology on the subject. The Church of England, the mother church of the Communion, currently maintains (according to the statement Issues in Human Sexuality) that same-sex partnerships are acceptable for laypersons but gay clergy are expected to be abstinent. The Lambeth Conference of 1998 called homosexuality "incompatible with Scripture" but this remains a purely advisory guideline as there are no communion-wide legislative bodies in the Anglican Church.

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The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest of the Baptist denominations and the largest Protestant group in the U.S., considers same-gender sexual behavior to be sinful. This is regardless of whether the behavior is within or outside the context of marriage or "civil union". The general consensus is that gay and lesbian people can choose this lifestyle, and as such can also choose to renounce it in favor of an active or celibate heterosexual one. (See ^[2] their position statement]). Their behavior toward gays and lesbians is one of "love the sinner, hate the sin" (i.e., they do not show hatred toward the person, but actively condemn his/her behavior).

Other conservative Baptist denominations and Independent Baptist churches are also generally opposed to homosexuality, along the same lines as the SBC. They, too, generally adopt the "love the sinner, hate the sin" approach.

Churches such as the Westboro Baptist Church, known for their open hatred toward both the homosexual person and the behavior, as well as their view that homosexuality constitutes the "unpardonable sin", are very rare in Baptist circles, and are in fact often condemned by other Baptists who would otherwise agree that homosexuality is a sin.

However, there are a number of Baptist churches, particularly in the American Baptist Churches in the USA and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, that have more inclusive views. The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, a small group of some 50 churches and organizations, is committed to the "full inclusion" of gay and lesbian persons in their churches. This "full inclusion" may or may not include approbation of same-sex sexual conduct.

The Christian Reformed Church has maintained the stance since the 1970's that homosexuality is the direct result of a sinful world much like any other sin. Homosexuality should be discouraged and the Church should show compassion for homosexuals like they would for any other sinner. Further, the Church should do everything in its power to help homosexuals see "the error of their ways" and to help repair the brokeness of sin.

However, gays and lesbians should not be denied any right granted to heterosexuals. They have the right to maintain office and be an active member in a congregation as their gifts can still be used to glorify God. The view is generally derived from the compassion Jesus showed for the sinners of his day (prostitutes and other notable sinners). As such, any homosexual who repents the sin of homosexuality is entirely forgiven. ^[3]

Although the First Christian Reformed Church of Toronto (also the first CRC congregation to call a woman minister) voted to allow gays and lesbians in committed partnerships as elders and deacons, this decision was later rescinded in the face of pressure from the Toronto classis Reformed Church ^{[4] [5]}.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints considers homosexual behavior to be sinful just as adultery and fornication are considered to be sinful. Homosexual desire when dwelled on is also viewed as sinful. The LDS church encourages its members to not feed any such tempted desire.^{[citation needed]}

The Eastern Orthodox Church holds the opinion that sexuality, as we understand it, is part of the fallen world only. In Orthodox Theology both monasticism and marriage are paths to Salvation ("sotiria" in Greek, literally meaning "becoming whole"). Celibacy is the ideal path for monasticism while marriage is blessed under the context of true Love ("Man must love his wife as Jesus loved his Church": this phrase is part of the Orthodox Marriage Ritual) . This context can be interpreted as not being exclusive of homosexuality. Traditionally the church has adopted a non-legalistic view of sin (see above), however some members of the church have assumed an active role in encouraging negative social stereotypes against gay individuals and several prominent members of the clergy have made statements condemning homosexuality. The leader of the Church of Greece, archbishop Christodoulos of Athens has described being gay as a "handicap."^{[citation needed]}

Other jurisdictions, such as the Orthodox Church in America, have taken the approach of welcoming people with "homosexual feelings and emotions", while encouraging them to work towards "overcoming its harmful effects in their lives", while not allowing the sacraments to people who seek to justify homosexuality ^[6].

LGBT activism within Orthodox churches have been less widespread than in Catholicism and many Protestant denominations. However, in 1980 the group Axios was founded in Los Angeles to advocate for sexual minorities in the Orthodox church, and has since started several other chapters in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran church body in the United States, has a current policy which states that persons who are gay or lesbian in their self-understanding are allowed to be ordained, but must maintain a lifestyle of celibacy. However, it is currently evaluating this policy, with the next debate scheduled for 2009. During the national meeting in ^[7] delegates voted against a measure that would have allowed non-celibate gay ordination and the blessing of same-sex unions by 503 against to 490 in favor.

Outside of ordination, policy states that LGBT individuals are welcome and encouraged to become members and participate in the life of the congregation. The ELCA does not have a policy against same-sex unions, nor does it have a rite for blessing those unions, but leaves the question up to pastoral care. ELCA congregations that specifically embrace GLBT persons are called Reconciling in Christ congregations. The group Lutherans Concerned supports the inclusion of LGBT members in Lutheran churches in the ELCA and ELCIC. All other Lutheran churches in the United States oppose ordination and marriage of homosexuals.

In 2006, Lionel Ketola became the first person in a same-sex marriage to be appointed vicar (intern) of an Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada congregation. This occurred at ^[8] in Newmarket, Ontario. Later that year, the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC voted to allow a "local option" for blessing same-sex unions. The national church, which had previously rejected such a proposal, proceeded to assert that it alone had the authority to make such a decision. The National Church Council agreed in a September ruling, but promised to bring forward another motion authorising the local option for approval at the 2007 National Convention.

Most Lutheran state churches in Germany, Lutheranism's country of origin, are also liberal, viewing homosexuality as moral and allow gay and lesbian clergy. But the Lutheran churches in Germany are also divided on the issue of blessing same-sex unions. In general, very few churches in the more rural parishes (Baden, Saxonia, Hesse-Waldeck) are in favor of blessing same-sex unions while the urban churches do allow them (Hanover, Rhineland, Westfalia, Brunswick, Oldenburg, Berlin-Brandenburg, Bremen, Northelbia...). Nevertheless, all the state churches agree that gay and lesbian individuals are welcome as members, and that any kind of persecution is unacceptable.

The Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Scandinavia, also members of the Lutheran World Federation, are also liberal in their position on homosexuality and view homosexuality as moral. In Sweden (Church of Sweden) the Lutheran church allowed 2006 blessings of same-sex unions and permit gay clergy. A notable bishop is the KG Hammar, former Archbishop of Uppsala and primate of the Church of Sweden, has been very vocal in supporting gay and lesbian Lutherans. The Church of Norway is divided, with 6 of 11 bishops accepting homosexual practice as moral, even though the church officially rejects it.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is divided on issue, but many of its most well known bishops have expressed their acceptance for homosexuality. Also some theologians related to church have supported gay-marriages.

The smaller and more conservative denominations of the International Lutheran Council and Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference do not sanction same-sex partnerships among the clergy or laity.

The Methodist Church of Great Britain views homosexuality as moral, ordains non-celibate gay clergy^{[citation needed]} but in 2006 rejected a motion to allow the blessing of same-sex unions ^[9].

The United Methodist Church maintains that, "Homosexual persons no less than heterosexual persons are individuals of sacred worth...", (Book of Discipline 2004, "Social Principles") and encourages United Methodists to be in ministry with and for all people.

The Church officially considers, however, "the practice of homosexuality (to be) incompatible with Christian teaching", states that "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" cannot be ordained as ministers, and supports, "...laws in civil society that define marriage as the union of one man and one woman." (Book of Discipline - 2004, "Social Principles") . Some local congregations, especially members of the Reconciling Ministries Network, have defied the church leadership on this issue and have fought the policy in church courts.

In 1987, a Methodist church court in New Hampshire defrocked Methodist minister Rose Mary Denman for being openly gay. In 2005, clergy credentials were removed from Elizabeth Stroud after she was convicted in a church trial of violating Church law by engaging in a lesbian relationship; this conviction was later upheld by the Church Judicial Council, the highest court in the denomination. The Judicial Council also affirmed that a Virginia pastor had the right to deny local church membership to an openly gay man, though the UM Council of Bishops disagreed with the ruling.

United Methodist conferences in Europe and 3rd world countries tend to be more conservative on the issue than the US.

The Metropolitan Community Church is an international fellowship of Christian congregations. It is considered by many to be a full mainline denomination or communion. There are currently 300 congregations in 22 countries, and the Fellowship has a specific outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Acceptance of homosexuality is an important part of its theology.

The Metropolitan Community Church was instrumental in the first legal challenges to the heterosexual legal definition of marriage in Ontario (see Same-sex marriage in Ontario). Two couples used an old legal procedure called reading the banns to marry without a licence. When same-sex marriage was legalized in Ontario, their marriages were recognized.^{[citation needed]}

The Moravian Church declared in 1974 that gays and lesbians were full members of the Christian community. In 2002, the Northern Provincial Synod placed a moratorium for the time being on further decisions about homosexuality. Currently, the questions of marriage and ordination are unresolved.^{[citation needed]}

In an interview, the Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber stated that the church does not make prescriptions to anyone, but wishes to warn of certain dangers. He also pointed out that the church does not state that practising homosexuality is a sin, because that statement would have far-reaching consequences. He also believes that living in a committed homosexual relationship is better than being, as a homosexual, promiscuous and constantly changing partners, just the same as is prescribed to heterosexuals. To avoid controversy from being directed at the church, and at homosexual members, homosexuals and transsexuals may not hold any ministry, teaching or leading roles, and the church does not marry homosexual couples or bless their unions.^{[citation needed]}

The Old Catholic Churches in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands view homosexuality as moral, permit gay and lesbian priests, and bless gay couples.^{[citation needed]} These should not be confused with the Roman Catholic Church (see below).

Most of the Pentecostal Movement views homosexuality as a sin. These churches oppose same-sex unions, gay pastors, and they tend to forbid congregants who persist in homosexual practices, and support politicians with the same viewpoints. Most Pentecostal churches insist that homosexuals must be "delivered" from their sin, and live a heterosexual lifestyle as prescribed by the Bible.^{[citation needed]}

Main article: Homosexuality and Presbyterianism

The Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest U.S. Presbyterian body, is sharply divided over the issue of homosexuality. Although gay and lesbian persons are welcome to become members of the church, denominational policy prohibits non-celibate same-sex relations (as well as non-celibate heterosexual relations outside of marriage) for those serving as ministers or as elders on key church boards. After rancorous debate, that policy was upheld in a vote of presbyteries in 2002. The denomination's constitution defines marriage as "a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship" (W-4.9 ^[10]). The denomination is currently awaiting the release of a study on the "peace, unity, and purity" of the church before taking up the issue again. The Church does bless same-sex unions, but does not permit same-sex marriages, and does not explicitly support the consummation of these unions.

Other much smaller American Presbyterian bodies, such as the Presbyterian Church in America ^[11], the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church ^[12], and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church ^[13] condemn same-sex sexual behavior as incompatible with Biblical morality, but believe gays and lesbians can repent and abandon the "lifestyle".

In New Zealand the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand has debated homosexuality for many years. In 1985 its General Assembly declared "Homosexual acts are sinful." The most recent decision of the Assembly in 2004 declared "this church may not accept ...anyone involved in a sexual relationship outside of faithful marriage between a man and a woman," but added the lemma, "In relation to homosexuality... this ruling shall not prejudice anyone, who as at the date of this meeting, has been accepted for training, licensed ordained of inducted."

Many Presbyterians in New Zealand are active in the Association for Reconciling Christians and Congregations^[14], an ecumenical group that supports the full inclusion and participation of all people in the Church, including gay and lesbian persons.

In America, More Light Presbyterians, a coalition of gay-inclusive congregations, was founded in 1980. Today the organization has 113 member churches, while many more informally endorse its mission to more fully welcome people of all sexualities into the life of the church.

The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is deeply divided on this issue. The more conservative Friends United Meeting and Friends Evangelical Church considers homosexuality sinful; but other Friends, such as those in the Friends General Conference, strongly support equal rights for gay and lesbian persons.^{[citation needed]}

Certain Reformed Churches such as the United Reformed Church and the Canadian and American Reformed Churches cite Biblical sources from Leviticus 20:13, which reads: "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." NIV

A homosexual member of one of these churches will be placed under censure or excommunicated and can only be received again into the communion of saints and be admitted to the Lord's Supper in these Reformed traditions after he/she has declared repentance from his/her homosexuality, which the churches teach is a sin. After repentance, the person is declared forgiven by the church, mirroring their belief in the Lord's forgiveness.^{[citation needed]}

Main article: Homosexuality and Catholicism

The Catholic Church considers Human sexual behavior that it sees as properly expressed to be sacred, almost sacramental in nature. Anal intercourse and homogenital acts are considered sinful because sexual acts, by their nature, are meant to be both unitive and procreative (mirroring God's inner Trinitarian life). The Church also understands the complementarity of the sexes to be part of God's plan. Same-gender sexual acts are incompatible with this framework:

"[H]omosexual acts are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved" (^[15]).

These teachings are, of course, not limited to the issue of homosexuality, but is also the general background for the Catholic prohibitions against, for example, fornication, contraception, pornography, anal sex and masturbation.

To be sure, the Church has clearly stated that homosexual desires or attractions themselves are not necessarily sinful. They are said to be "disordered" in the sense that they tempt one to do something that is sinful (i.e., the homosexual act), but temptations beyond one's control are not considered sinful in and of themselves. For this reason, while the Church does oppose attempts to legitimize same-gender sexual acts, it also officially urges respect and love for those who do experience same-sex attractions, thus the Catholic Church is also opposed to persecutions and violence against the LGBT community:

"The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition." (^[16])

For those who do experience same-sex attractions, the Catholic Church offers the following counsel:

"Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection" (^[17]).

It should be noted that the Church considers the call to chastity to be universal to all persons according to their state in life. However, only heterosexual Catholics have the option of expressing their chastity through married love.

In 1997, the USCCB came out with a tract called always our children which some might find helpful. It articulates the most recent stance on homosexuality, especially as it relates to parents of homosexual children.

Main article: Homosexuality in the Roman Catholic priesthood

The Roman Catholic Church forbids the ordination of men who have "deeply rooted homosexual tendencies", as it is expressed in a 2005 document, called Instruction Concerning the Criteria for the Discernment of Vocations with regard to Persons with Homosexual Tendencies in view of their Admission to the Seminary and to Holy Orders. Men with "transitory" same-sex feelings could be eligible for ordination after three years of having moved on from this stage of their life. Comments from various bishops suggest that interpretations of the subject of this ban vary from diocese to diocese.

The largest Swedenborgian denomination in North America, the General Church of the New Jerusalem does not ordain gay and lesbian ministers, but the oldest denomination, the Swedenborgian Church of North America, does. Ministers in Swedenborgian Church of North America are not allowed to determine whether or not they will marry same-sex couples. Ministers of the General Church of the New Jerusalem are not permitted to marry or bless any same-sex couples.^{[citation needed]}

The Unification Church views heterosexual marriage as God's ideal for everyone and views any sexual contact outside this, including homosexuality, as sinful.^{[citation needed]}

The United Church of Canada, the largest Protestant denomination in Canada, affirms that gay and lesbian persons are welcome in the church and the ministry. The resolution "A) That all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, who profess Jesus Christ and obedience to Him, are welcome to be or become full member of the Church. B) All members of the Church are eligible to be considered for the Ordered Ministry." was passed in 1988. This was not done, however, without intense debate over what was termed "the issue"; some congregations chose to leave the church rather than support the resolution.

The church campaigned starting in 1977 to have the federal government add sexual orientation to federal non-discrimination laws, which was accomplished in 1996. ^[18] The church has also engaged in activism in favour of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada.

The polity of the United Church of Christ (UCC) (considered to be in the tradition of Congregationalists) is such that the views of one setting of the church cannot be unwillingly 'forced' on the Local Church, whether between congregations or between the upper levels of the church and individual congregations. Thus, views on many controversial matters can and do vary among congregations. David Roozen, director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research who has studied the United Church of Christ, said surveys show the national church's pronouncements are often more liberal than the views in the pews but that its governing structure is set up to allow such disagreements. ^[19]

The United Church of Christ General Synod in 1985 passed a resolution entitled "Calling on United Church of Christ Congregations to Declare Themselves Open and Affirming" ^[20] saying that "the Fifteenth General Synod of the United Church of Christ encourages a policy of non-discrimination in employment, volunteer service and membership policies with regard to sexual orientation; encourages associations, Conferences and all related organizations to adopt a similar policy; and encourages the congregations of the United Church of Christ to adopt a non-discrimination policy and a Covenant of Openness and Affirmation of persons of lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation within the community of faith". General Synod XIV in 2003 officially added transgender persons to this declaration of full inclusion in the life and leadership of the Church.

In July 2005, the 25th General Synod ^[21] encouraged congregations to affirm "equal marriage rights for all", and to consider "wedding policies that do not discriminate based on the gender of the couple." The resolution also encouraged congregations to support legislation permitting civil same-sex marriage rights. By the nature of United Church of Christ polity, General Synod resolutions officially speak "to, but not for" the other settings of the denomination (local congregations, associations, conferences, and the national offices). This Synod also expressed respect for those bodies within the church that disagree and called for all members "to engage in serious, respectful, and prayerful discussion of the covenantal relationship of marriage and equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender."

Many associations permit ordination of non-celibate gay clergy and many clergy are willing perform same-sex marriages or union services. Approximately 10% of UCC congregations have adopted an official "open and affirming" statement welcoming gay and lesbian persons in all aspects of church life. A few congregations explicitly oppose the General Synod Equal Marriage Rights resoltion an independent movement called "Faithful and Welcoming Churches(FWC)" that partly defines faithful as "Faithful... to the preservation of the family, and to the practice and proclamation of human sexuality as God's gift for marriage between a man and a woman "^[22]. Many congregations have no official stance; these congregations' de facto stances vary widely in their degree of welcome toward gay and lesbian persons.

The United Church of Christ Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns is one of the officially recognized "Historically Underrepresented Groups" in the United Church of Christ, and as such has a dedicated seat on the United Church of Christ Executive Council and a number of other boards.

Main article: Uniting Church in Australia#Ordination of homosexual people

The Uniting Church in Australia allows for the membership and ordination of gay and lesbian people. On July 17, 2003 it clarified its 1982 position when the national Assembly meeting stated that people had interpreted the scriptures with integrity in coming to the view that a partnered gay or lesbian person in a committed same sex relationship could be ordained as a minister. It also stated that people who had come to the opposite view had also interpreted the scriptures with integrity. When Presbyteries (regional councils) select candidates for ministry they may use either of these positions, however they cannot formally adopt either position as policy, but must take each person on a case by case basis. By explicitly stating the two positions, this decision fleshes out a 1982 Assembly Standing Committee decision which did not ban people with a homosexual orientation from membership. After emotional debate, the 1997 Assembly did not reach a decision, and the 2000 Assembly decided not to discuss homosexuality.^{[citation needed]}

• Homosexuality and religion
• Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches

1. ^ Adventists
2. ^ [http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/pssexuality.asp Position of SBC on sexuality in general
3. ^ Reference CRNA
4. ^ Reformed Church
5. ^ Reformed Church
6. ^ Orthodox Church in America
7. ^ 2005 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
8. ^ Holy Cross Lutheran Church
9. ^ [1]
10. ^ Presbyterian Church USA
11. ^ Presbyterian Church in America
12. ^ [2]
13. ^ [3]
14. ^ Association for Reconciling Christians and Congregations
15. ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 2357 Catholic Church
16. ^ ibid., para. 2358
17. ^ ibid., para. 2359
18. ^ United Church of Canada
19. ^ United Church of Christ
20. ^ United Church of Christ
21. ^ United Church of Christ
22. ^ United Church of Christ

• Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Vocation to Chastity
• Ecumenical Group "Homosexuals and Church" (German group)
• Gaychurch.org Global directory of affirming Christian churches.
• 6 Views ReligiousTolerance.org's list of the 6 major Christian views on homosexuality