Sexuality and Christianity

Synopsis

Few issues cause as much division in today's church as issues related to sex outside of marriage and homosexual relationships. Conservative Christians state that the Bible clearly states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a marriage between a man and a woman, and that outside of this, it is a sin against God. Some liberal Christians argue that sex outside a marriage, including homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. In the developed world, especially North-Western Europe and North America, some church denominations have embranced the liberal viewpoint often causing large splits in congregations.

Related topics

• Marriage
• Homosexuality
• In the news

• • United States and Canadian Anglican dioceses asked to split from the world-wide Anglican communion over the issue of homosexual unions and priests
  • Connecticut becomes third U.S. state to allow same-sex civil unions (October 3, 2005)

Comments, Personal Articles, Studies and Sermons

Sexuality and Christianity (discussion) (For short comments and opinions)

• Homosexuality and Christian liberty: Question and Answer (justforcatholics.org)

For related quotations see Sexuality and Christianity (quotes)

Main article

Few issues cause as much division in today's church as issues related to sex outside of marriage and homosexual relationships. Conservative Christians state that the Bible clearly states that God shows us that the only right place for a sexual relationship is in a marriage between a man and a woman, and that outside of this, it is a sin against God. Some liberal Christians argue that sex outside a marriage, including homosexual relationships are not wrong if they are between two loving partners. In the developed world, especially North-Western Europe and North America, some church denominations have embranced the liberal viewpoint often causing large splits in congregations.

One of the major developments in recent years has been in the Episcopal Church of the USA, in which an openly practicing homosexual man, Gene Robinson was ordained as a bishop. This has caused enormous divide within the Anglican Communion, and may be leading to a schism.

Links

---

Return to Current issues