On 'Homosexuality': Towards a Queer Christian Sexual Ethic (original) (raw)
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In a sensitive and compassionately articulated essay, J. Giles Milhaven attempts to create a new opening in the Christian dialogue about homosexuality by directly addressing those homosexual persons who are both actively pursuing a homosexual lifestyle and actively committed and faithful to any Christian church that condemns intimate homosexual relationships.1 In this address, Milhaven asks these individuals to reflect upon and respond to one question: “Why is sex important for you?”2 Milhaven’s respect for and interest in gay and lesbian Christians is not due to their loyalty to the Church but rather to their loyalty to their sexuality and their sexual lives. He does not ask, What is it within the Catholic Church (or a Christian church) that you deem so worthwhile that you are willing to bear harsh condemnation in order to pursue it? Instead he asks, What do you see to be of such value in your sexual lives that you are willing to carry on with those lives “in the face of the mortal...
HOMOSEXUALITY: A BIBLICAL ANALYSIS AND A PROPER CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Growing in intensity, a new social movement of gay and lesbian support has emerged. This has come with increasing political and social influence in advocacy of homosexuality as a matter of civil rights and liberties. From a focus on religious holiness the culture has shifted the debate to one of social justice. The voices calling for this profound change in social consciousness have moved beyond the more radical fringes. Christian theologians, church leaders and pastors are advocating on behalf of the homosexual movement while being critical of traditional Christian interpretation of biblical passages long thought to have condemned homosexuality. This struggle has transcended a simple request for the right to privacy. It has become an initiative for social reengineering and a reshaping of a broad world view. This study employed historical grammatical hermeneutics with the view to answer two questions, namely, what is the Scripture's stance on homosexuality and how should the African church (both the institution and the individuals who comprise it) respond to those persons in our families of faith who wrestle with these struggles? This paper contends that our understanding of Scripture's position on homosexuality is foundational to how we approach the issue of homosexuality practically in the church and the society and further inferred that all intimate human sexual relationships are called to signify the reconciliation and redemption accomplished by Christ and must be authorized by a Biblical witness.
Christian Ethical Perspective on Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior
2022
Sexual expressions in the 21 st century have become diverse to the extent that previously stereotyped expressions are gaining popularity within Christian ethical discourses. Most Christian denominations differentiate homosexual orientation from homosexual behaviors. This distinction allows these denominations to denounce homosexual behaviors and tolerate homosexual orientation. The underlining notion is that one is not guilty until they have acted on their sexual orientation. Thus experiencing homosexual orientation alone does not necessarily make one a homosexual. This article examines sexual orientation and sexual behavior as components of sexual expression. The examination links sexual orientation and sexual behavior to sexual identity. The fundamental question of the inquiry is: are sexual orientations and sexual behaviors mutually exclusive as far as sexual expression is concerned? Are Christian denominations justified in denouncing homosexual behaviors but tolerant of homosexual orientations? The article reveals that not all sexual orientations have corresponding sexual behaviors, but sexual orientations influence sexual behaviors and the choice of a sex partner. Individuals determine their sexual identity through their preferred sexual orientation and not through their sexual behaviors or choice of a sex partner. Consequently, it is incorrect to focus on sexual behaviors or the gender of sex partners to respond to issues on sexual identity. Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:28 shows that unhealthy sexual orientation is as toxic as unhealthy sexual behavior. It is, therefore, inconsistent for a Christian community to strictly condemn sexual behaviors in same-sex relations while tolerating homoeroticism.
Review of: "Christian Ethical Perspective on Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behavior
Professor Dei's point of departure in his article is his statement that "[m]ost Christian denominations differentiate homosexual orientation from homosexual behaviour". The author goes on to say that for these denominations being homosexual is not considered sinful but "the practice of homosexuality" is indeed sinful. The thesis, as well as the
A Biblical Ethic for Homosexuality in the Church
This paper looks at the most significant OT an NT references connected with the issue of homosexuality. Each text is analyzed taking into account the progress of revelation and authorial intent.
2006
The debate on homosexuality has become increasingly painful and divisive between people of the Christian faith. A very relevant question is asked; are homosexual people included in the ecclesial community? The aim of my research paper is to propose a way forward for the inclusion of homosexual people in the ecclesial community. Inclusion, however, does not imply legitimization of wrongs. Conceptual clarifications are given in the definition of words such as; ekklesia, ethics and homosexuality. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral is used as an interpretive framework to illustrate that “evidence from four sources: scripture, tradition, reason and experience” is necessary when seeking guidance on complex moral issues. The role of scripture in ethics, specifically with regard to the homosexuality debate is mentioned while the different interpretations of scriptures are discussed. Two dominant opposing approaches are identified, namely the conservative-traditional approach and the liberal approac...
The Christian Church and The LGBTQ Movement
Alain Sivyolo, 2023
The Christian faith is based on scripture, the Word of God, and the truth of nature and the natural world as established from the beginning by God. Sexuality is no less considered in the eyes of God by the Christian faith as established and determined by God who created man as male and female according to Genesis 1:27. This paper discusses the issue of homosexuality and its detriment to the normal running of society and how it is contrary to the natural world and the will of a Holy God as intended for sex. Therefore, Homosexuality is not compatible with Christianity. This paper gives the Biblical understanding of sex and its place in society, discusses the issues of homosexuality with an African focus then gives a Christian response with a Biblical and theological perspective.
The Open Debate: Moral Theology and the Lives of Gay and Lesbian Persons
Theological Studies, 2003
In this final section of the Notes on Moral Theology the author explores the extensive work of Catholic moral theologians reflecting on morality and the lives of gay and lesbian persons. He demonstrates that moral theologians not only critically engage a variety of statements by the different offices of the magisterium, but also investigate the topic by using the resources of the tradition: Scripture, the natural law, theological writings, and human experience. The result is a highly responsible open theological debate that studies not only the lives of some believers but the Church itself.] A S I WRITE THIS NOTE during the fall of 2002, I am aware of the effect that the sexual abuse crisis has had on our churches. I believe that now more than ever we must have in the Church the space to discuss respectfully and without fear of reprisal the nature of our magisterial teachings and theological opinions on sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular. 1 MAGISTERIAL TEACHING ON HOMOSEXUALITY In his scholarly investigation of church teaching on homosexuality from the tenth to the twentieth century, Mark Jordan makes the case that magisterial teaching on the topic is not only inconsistent but actually incoherent because "from the beginning, 'sodomy' has meant whatever anyone wanted JAMES F. KEENAN, S. J., obtained the degrees of S.T.L. and S.T.D. from the Gregorian University. He is professor of moral theology at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. Besides many articles in the history of moral theology and in bioethics (HIV/AIDS, genetics), he has recently published with Daniel Harrington, Jesus and Virtue Ethics (Sheed & Ward, 2002). He is currently working on two books: Moral Wisdom and The Works of Mercy. 1 To narrow the scope of this bibliographic overview, I have focused on the work of Catholic moral theologians or those contributing to Catholic moral discourse. On a few occasions I refer to the work of other Christian ethicists.