The Christian Debate on Homosexuality

2508 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Homosexuality and its effect on society

The American debate on homosexuality reveals an unquestionable, though awfully uninvited, fusion between religion and politics, revealing a dangerous lack of separation between the church and state. The concern is not about the presence of spirituality in American politics, but the implications institutionalized religion has on the lives and rights of human beings. Nothing hinders the political and social progress of lesbian women and gay men quite like the complexities of religion. Dating back to the beginning of literature itself, homosexuality is far from modern. Nonetheless, homosexuality is currently the most divisive and fiercely debated topic in recent religious discourse. While most Christians maintain allegiance in labeling same-sex relationships as morally wrong, the church is dramatically divided on the proper place for gays and lesbians in American society and of course, American politics. Homosexuality has existed since the beginning of recorded human history and yet, attitudes towards gay and lesbian individuals vary extensively. Some societies tolerate them; others openly welcome and encourage them; and most blatantly condemn them (Bates, 46). Throughout our country’s history, homosexuals have been misunderstood and discriminated against, leading many to acquire an irrational fear of gays and lesbians. Known as homophobia, this fear has prompted heterosexual individuals with a feeling a superiority and authority when using the word “homosexual” interchangeably with the words pervert, faggot, sodomite, and so on. Homophobes typically perceive homosexuality as a threat to society. Nonetheless, the Gay Rights Movement has achieved impressive progress since 1973 when the American Psychological Association (APA) eradi... ... middle of paper ... ...e underestimate the influence religion has on American politics. According to public opinion polls, at least 40% of voters subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Bible and thus, 40% of voters are conservative Christians. Wald and Calhoun-Brown reveal the Christian Right is "closely allied with the Republican Party" (206). “Stealth campaigns” (219), led by committees who hide behind soft names like “Focus on the Family”, ultimately seek to eliminate same-sex marriage, women’s rights, and more. For example, while Concerned Women for America sounds like a women's right's organization, the 500,000-member committee focuses primarily on lobbying antigay and prolife legislation. Along the same lines Focus on the Family (founded 1981 by James Dobson) and the Traditional Values Coalition (formed in 1989 by Pat Robertson) are also advocates of the anti-gay movement.

Show More
Related

  • The Stonewall Riots

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the past decades, the struggle for gay rights in the Unites States has taken many forms. Previously, homosexuality was viewed as immoral. Many people also viewed it as pathologic because the American Psychiatric Association classified it as a psychiatric disorder. As a result, many people remained in ‘the closet’ because they were afraid of losing their jobs or being discriminated against in the society. According to David Allyn, though most gays could pass in the heterosexual world, they tended to live in fear and lies because they could not look towards their families for support. At the same time, openly gay establishments were often shut down to keep openly gay people under close scrutiny (Allyn 146). But since the 1960s, people have dedicated themselves in fighting for

    Read More

  • Views of the Episcopal Church

    1294 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Episcopal Church of the United States is one of the most debatable when it comes to the subject of homosexuality and creating equal rights amongst its members. The church embraces a new kind of transitioning belief that sets them aside from other denominations. The Episcopal Church stems from the Church of England, dating to at least the second century. The Church was founded from the very beginnings on the Christian beliefs and is customary to regard the St. Augustine of Canterbury's mission to England. This was the official beginning of the church under papal authority. In time, these churches branched away from their mother church and gained their individuality without raising and eyebrow retaining important connections with Anglican Communion by abiding by their religious laws (Episcopal Church 1999). Subsequently, the topic of homosexuality has placed a huge amount of stress and turmoil on the denomination, with conflicting views in the church community and with the Angelic communion who does not support the strides made by the Episcopalians. This isn’t the first time, certainly not the last for the Episcopal Church they have made great steps in including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and encompassed a new kind of dedication to their members. The Episcopal Church throughout history and in today’s society are very well known for their unstandardized laws, ever changing structure and futuristic traditions.

    Read More

  • Born Gay: Truth and Circumstances.

    1431 Words  | 3 Pages

    For years homosexuality in the United States of America has been looked down upon by citizens, religions, and even politicians. The homosexual culture, or the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender), has been demoralized and stuck out and lashed against by the Heterosexual community time and time again. To better understand the LGBT community we must first grasp the concept of Sexual Orientation.

    Read More

  • The Bible and Homosexuality

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fag. Poof. Fairy. Homo. Dyke. Those are all words that are used on a daily basis to put down those who do not fit into the Bible’s supposed cookie-cutter, straight sexual orientation label. Homophobia has been around since the eleven hundreds, but before then homosexuality was viewed as healthy, normal, and at times it was even worshipped. However, society’s view of homosexuality has somehow been warped into a violently negative opinion. How did this happen? The main perpetrators of homophobia are the Bible and those who preach its word, or at least their version of its word. Which brings up the translation issues scattered throughout the Bible. The New Testament was written in Greek and there are not always direct translations of each word in English. The messages in the Bible that are said to condemn homosexuality can be interpreted in a more accepting way than they are usually preached.

    Read More

  • Homosexuality Amongst the Clergy

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    What could be more controversial right now than the issue of homosexuality amongst the clergy? This topic has engrossed the media as well as the discussions around the world. Important figures around the globe, both political and spiritual leaders, have spoken both for and against the practice. Recent scandals have not helped the situation, even though homosexuality has been a force in the clergy since the early days of Christianity. One thing is for sure, in this uncertain time: the lines in the sand have been drawn and the battle for the rights of homosexual clergymen has begun.

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Sexual Orientation-Based Discrimination in the Workplace

    1831 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wilcox, C., & Iida, R. (2011). Evangelicals, the Christian Right, and Gay and Lesbian Rights in the United States: Simple and Complex Stories. In D. Rayside & C. Wilcox (Eds.), Faith, Politics, and Sexual Diversity in Canada and the United States. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia Press

    Read More

  • Religious Right Essay

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    By exploring the Religious Right, its foundation, purposes, and influences can be gleaned. Although it is currently commonly referenced, the Religious Right as a concept can be traced back to the earliest decades of the 20th century. Once the introduction of evolutionism teaching in schools and freedom of sexual information became ostensibly common, the earliest forces that would turn to be the Religious Right emerged. Conservative Christian values and general morality were no longer considered to be a regular part of American life. As the years went on, various groups formed in hopes of beginning to fix the ails of the American nation. Originally, the Religious Right began its push from the peripheral parts of American society. Using books, schools, and preaching was their way in, based on the general impression that their beliefs were not welcome in politics. Around mid-century, the Religious Right found its base for entering the political sphere- two issues still at the very core of their movement today- the removal of Bibles in schools and the Roe v. Wade decision to legalize abortion (Hicks).

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of 'Homophobic? Read Your Bible'

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    The essay by Peter J. Gomes, entitled Homophobic? Read Your Bible, can be analyzed in many ways. The essay discusses the issue of homosexuality as it relates to politics, religion and the bible. The Baptist minister’s strong ethos and credibility provide an unexpected approach to the topic. Gomes thesis statement is: “The army of the discontented, eager for clear villains and simple solutions and ready for a crusade in which political self-interest and social anxiety can be cloaked in morality, has found hatred of homosexuality to be the last respectable prejudice of the century” (344). Gomes hopes to convince us how the bible is used politically to deny gay rights and his effective use

    Read More

  • Religion and LGBT Rights

    646 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this essay, I will explain how religion is sometimes used to mobilize against LGBT people, how some people’s religious and personal doctrines conflict regarding LGBT issues, and how religious belief and community can be a positive force for the LGBT community.

    Read More

  • The Ethics of Homosexuality

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    “All men are created equal, No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words,” Harvey Milk. A homosexual, as defined by the dictionary, is someone of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex. Homosexuality is ethical, and I will provide rational arguments for, and irrational arguments against the topic. A few objections are as follows: It is forbidden in the Bible and frowned upon by God; It is unnatural; Men and women are needed to reproduce; There are no known examples in nature; and the most common argument that concerns homosexuality is whether it is a choice or human biology.

    Read More

  • Homosexuality in Today's Society

    1992 Words  | 4 Pages

    In today's society, there exists a mixture of issues which tend to raise arguments with people all over. There are a handful of topics that always seem to escalate these differences between people to the point where one who earnestly participates in discussion, debate and argument can direct their anger towards their feelings on the person themselves. Some examples of such delicate subjects are the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. An issue that has in recent years, begun to increase arguments, is the acceptability of homosexuality in society. Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, it was considered a secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society. However, it seem that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples. The idea of coming out of the 'closet' has moved to the head of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception. Homosexuality is nothing to be ashamed of and we should all come to realize this.

    Read More

  • Tracing the Roots of Human Inequality

    788 Words  | 2 Pages

    The term homophobia has been coined by George Weinberg in the late 1960’s to define the dislike or prejudice against a person who is, or perceived to be homosexual . Throughout history, and to the present day homosexuals do not fit into the traditional concept of heterosexuality by majority groups within society (Legato, 2011). Some evidence suggests the label of ‘gay men and lesbians’, and ‘homosexuals’, are imbued with different meanings. Connell (1992) noted the label of ‘homosexual’ as a noun, reduces sexual orientation to a human being that is frequently associated with mental illness and alcoholics as a deviant group; evidenced in the work of sociology of deviants. This is less true for the label of ‘gay men and

    Read More

  • Controversial Arguments Against Homosexuality

    1406 Words  | 3 Pages

    Homosexuality has become one of the most controversial subjects debated within Christianity. There are many views concerning how this issue should be handled, in these differing views both sides support their perspective using valid principles of Christianity. Christian perspectives on homosexuality have presented controversial arguments based on the different values and principles that are used to support their specific side of the argument.

    Read More

  • LGBT Subculture

    1415 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are individuals that live in fear of showing their true identity to the world because they simply fear that society won’t accept them for having a different sexual orientation. Society advocates that individuals should be able to be proud of who they are, but yet they judge homosexuals for being different. People are taught not to judge others based on their race or religion, so why do they still discriminate against homosexuals? The homosexual subculture is not accepted by society, looked down upon, and misjudged; however, they are human beings and deserve to be treated equally.

    Read More

  • LGBT Community and Discrimination.

    1284 Words  | 3 Pages

    When one hears the words “LGBT” and “Homosexuality” it often conjures up a mental picture of people fighting for their rights, which were unjustly taken away or even the social emergence of gay culture in the world in the1980s and the discovery of AIDS. However, many people do not know that the history of LGBT people stretches as far back in humanity’s history, and continues in this day and age. Nevertheless, the LGBT community today faces much discrimination and adversity. Many think the problem lies within society itself, and often enough that may be the case. Society holds preconceptions and prejudice of the LGBT community, though not always due to actual hatred of the LGBT community, but rather through lack of knowledge and poor media portrayal.

    Read More

More about The Christian Debate on Homosexuality

Open Document