Homosexuality and the Church

1
Homosexuality and the Church

• Presented by Lindsey Hansen and Nicole Nesse
• Emily Sonnesyn and Dalay Hirsch

2
The Evolution of Societys View on Homosexuality

• Before There is nothing wrong with the choice
  to practice homosexuality.
• Next Those who do practice homosexuality cant
  help the way they are.
• Then How dare we think there is anything wrong
  with the choice to practice homosexuality or that
  one choice is better than another choice.
• Now It isnt a choice its genetic! They
  cant change.

3
A Matter of Biology Is homosexuality really a
choice?

• Facts from the Journal of Homosexuality (the most
  extensive review ever published in scientific
  journals)
• This exhaustive investigation concluded that no
  difference in the bodily measures could be found
  the theory of bodily differences between
  homosexuals and heterosexuals has finally been
  abandoned. (p. 43-44)

4

• Twins Studies If homosexuality is genetic, then
  all identical twins should have the same sexual
  orientation.
• The concordance rates for MZ twins (identical)
  was 50...Such results are problematic (p. 139)
• The fact that biologic brothers and adopted
  brothers show the same incidence of homosexuality
  strongly suggests that it is environmental in
  origin. (p. 139)

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Scientists cannot prove that homosexuality is
genetic therefore, it must be a multi-factorial
behavior.

• Factors that can contribute to the behavior
• Environment
• Family
• Peers
• Mentors
• Media
• Heredity

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• Specific factors that have been linked with
  homosexual behavior
• poor family dynamics in general
• a rift in the father-son or mother-daughter
  relationship growing up
• feelings of being an outsider among one's peers
  during childhood and adolescence
• instances of sexual abuse/incest

7
A Matter of Psychology Can people who practice
homosexuality change?

• If you ask me if I miss living as a lesbian, my
  answer to you would be, "No way!"
• Linda D. Carter (www.exodus-international.org)

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A Matter of Sociology

• Is there any reason to say that the choice to
  practice homosexuality is not healthy?

9
Homosexuality is not healthy

• May shorten life span by 20-30 years
  (Psychology Reports 1998, 83 p. 847-66)
• Higher rates of
• Sexual diseases
• Cancer and heart conditions
• Violence among homosexuals

10
Homosexuality is

• Not genetic
• Changeable
• Not healthy

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What is Marriage?

• Marriage is a sacrament designed by God that
  serves as a metaphor for the relationship between
  Christ and His church. Tampering with His plan
  for the family is immoral and wrong. To violate
  the Lords expressed will for humankind,
  especially in regard to behavior that He has
  prohibited is to court disaster.
• Psychologist Dr. James Dobson, from his book
  entitled
• Marriage Under Fire

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Same-Sex Marriage Why Not?

• The legalization of same-sex marriage will
  destroy the traditional familyGods design.
• Becomes merely a partnership and confuses the
  younger generation
• Men and women bring different qualities to the
  relationship
• Will lead to polygamy and other alternatives

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• Children will suffer, and they will suffer the
  most.
• Studies have concluded that kids do best when
  raised by loving, committed mothers and fathers.
• What about divorce among parents of the same-sex
  raising children?
• Will lead to the rise of immorality, resulting in
  a culture that will emotionally affect children.

14

• Religious freedom will be jeopardized
• Hate speech and the Bible?
• Non-profit organizations could lose their tax
  exemptions

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• The gospel of Jesus Christ will be severely
  restrained
• The family is Gods primary means for evangelism.
  (Malachi 215)
• To moralize and legalize behavior that has been
  prohibited by God Himself is unacceptable.

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Homosexuality is wrong

• You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a
  female it is an abomination.
• God (Leviticus 1822)
• If there is a man who lies with a male as those
  who lie with a woman, both of them have committed
  a detestable act they shall surely be put to
  death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.
• God (Leviticus 2013)

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I Corinthians 69-11
Wrong but Forgivable

• Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not
  inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived
  neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
  adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor
  thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor
  revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom
  of God.
• Such were some of you but you were washed, but
  you were sanctified, but you were justified in
  the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the
  Spirit of our God.

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However, there is no scale for sin.

• All sins are equally bad in Gods eyes
• God offers grace to the sinners who repent
• Such were some of you but you were washed, but
  you were sanctified, but you were justified in
  the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the
  Spirit of our God.
• (I Cor. 69-11)

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The Churchs Role

• Therefore, the Church needs to accept individuals
  who practice homosexuality as sinners just like
  everyone else.
• However, that does not mean tolerating or
  blessing homosexual behavior.

20
Condemnation vs. Scolding

• He said to them, He who is without sin among
  you, let him be the first to throw a stone at
  her. (John 87)
• Then neither do I condemn you, Jesus declared.
  Go now and leave your life of sin. (John 811)

21
Definition of Marriage According to Robert
Williams Author of Toward a Theology For Lesbian
and Gay Marriage.

• Marriage is a lifelong union of two persons in
  heart, body and mind, as set forth in liturgical
  forms authorized by this church, for the purpose
  of mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one
  another in prosperity and adversity sometimes
  also for the procreation and/or rearing of
  children, and their physical and spiritual
  nurture.

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Purpose of Marriage

• Children
• Mutual help
• Companionship
• Remedy against fornications

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Children

• Many couples get married to start a family
• Not all heterosexual marriages have couples
  seeking children
• In fact, some of the most serious problems that
  do significantly affect the welfare of children,
  such as incest and child abuse, are found almost
  ENTIRELY in traditional mother-father
  households, almost never in single-parent or gay
  or lesbian households.
• -Robert Williams

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Mutual Help

• Financial Needs

Remedy against fornication

• Marriage is a binding agreement that
• each partner will remain loyal to one
• another

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Companionship

• A life long partner
• If homosexuality is not a choice then why cant
  two people of the same sex be married?
• Seeing that it was not good for Adam to be alone
  God created a companion.

26
Homosexuality and The Church

• According to Gerard Loughlin author of gathered
  at the Altar Homosexuals and Human Rights, The
  Church has to expand its vision and see that gay
  men and lesbian women, as well as bisexual and
  transgendered people, are as fully human as
  anyone else.
• Churches should celebrate rather then condemn a
  homosexual couples love.

27
Homosexuality in the Baptist Church

• Northwest region of American Baptist Church voted
  against banishing two Seattle churches that
  accept homosexual pastors and welcome practicing
  homosexuals as members.
• Vote was 161 in favor to 92 against
• Movement towards accepting homosexuals in the
  church.

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Homosexuality in the Bible

• Homosexuality is specifically addressed ONLY 5
  times in The Bible.
• Not an overriding theme
• Less importance
• When talking about sexual morality Jesus mainly
  talks about divorce, he never mentions anything
  about homosexuality.

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Bible Verses

• When they kept on questioning him, he
  straightened up and said to them, Let anyone
  among you who is without sin be the first to
  throw a stone at her.
• - John 87
• Genesis 191-25
• Sodom and the raping of angels
• Leviticus 1822
• Thou shall not lie with a malepunishment is
  death.
• Leviticus 20 9-10
• all who curse father or mother shall be put to
  death
• Romans 1-2
• all wickedness that should be put to death