The Church and Homosexuality Social Justice Sunday Study March 29, 2009

What do you believe? Five Possible Positions The Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong. End of story. The Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong. End of story. Why do we have to keep talking about this? It makes me uncomfortable. Why do we have to keep talking about this? It makes me uncomfortable. Everyone knows we’re open-minded. Why do we have to make a fuss about it? Everyone knows we’re open-minded. Why do we have to make a fuss about it? I love the United Methodist Church, but it is wrong on this issue. I have to fight to get the church to see what’s right. I love the United Methodist Church, but it is wrong on this issue. I have to fight to get the church to see what’s right. How can I stay in an institution that causes so much pain to my gay and lesbian friends and relatives? How can I stay in an institution that causes so much pain to my gay and lesbian friends and relatives?

Agenda Real stories, real people Real stories, real people What does the Church say? What does the Church say? What does the Bible really say on this issue? What does the Bible really say on this issue? Discussion in groups – What is your story? What do you believe? Discussion in groups – What is your story? What do you believe?

Stories of FUMC Members

What does the United Methodist Church say? “Open hearts, open minds, open doors.” “Open hearts, open minds, open doors.” “All persons are of sacred worth.” “All persons are of sacred worth.” “All people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection.” “All people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection.” BUT - “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.” BUT - “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teachings.” A pastor may deny membership in a local congregation to a person solely because he is homosexual. (Judicial Council Opinion 1032) A pastor may deny membership in a local congregation to a person solely because he is homosexual. (Judicial Council Opinion 1032)

What does FUMC say? “We are called to make the best use of every resource entrusted to us by God, in order to bring as many people as possible into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus." “We are called to make the best use of every resource entrusted to us by God, in order to bring as many people as possible into a lasting, life-changing relationship with God through Christ Jesus." Unanimous Administrative Board resolutions in 2005 and 2007 stating that all persons – “without regard to sexual orientation” – are welcome as members here. Unanimous Administrative Board resolutions in 2005 and 2007 stating that all persons – “without regard to sexual orientation” – are welcome as members here.

If the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teachings,” what Christian teachings is it incompatible with?

What did Jesus say? According to the gospels, which of the following did Jesus condemn? Those who are rich Those who are rich Divorce Divorce Calling another person “good for nothing” or a “fool” Calling another person “good for nothing” or a “fool” Failing to feed the poor, house the homeless, assist the sick, visit convicted prisoners Failing to feed the poor, house the homeless, assist the sick, visit convicted prisoners Same-sex relationships Same-sex relationships YES Luke 5:24-25 YES Luke 5:24-25 YES Mark 10:1-12 YES Mark 10:1-12 YES Matt. 5:21-22 YES Matt. 5:21-22 YES Matt. 25: YES Matt. 25: NO NO

What does the Bible really say? Five verses – out of 66 books in the Bible – appear to criticize same-sex relations between males (none clearly addresses same- sex female relationships). They are found in Leviticus and the writings of Paul.

Leviticus Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 describe same-sex relations between males as “toebah” in Hebrew, translated “an abomination” in most English Bibles. The word really means something that is rejected because it is ritually unclean. Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 describe same-sex relations between males as “toebah” in Hebrew, translated “an abomination” in most English Bibles. The word really means something that is rejected because it is ritually unclean. What else is ritually unclean according to Leviticus? What else is ritually unclean according to Leviticus?

Leviticus cont’d What else is ritually unclean according to Leviticus? Eating pork and shellfish (11:1-12) Eating pork and shellfish (11:1-12) A woman who has given birth (12:1-8) A woman who has given birth (12:1-8) A woman menstruating (15:19-24) A woman menstruating (15:19-24) Wearing a garment made of two different materials (19:19) Wearing a garment made of two different materials (19:19) Having a tattoo (19:28) Having a tattoo (19:28)

Paul’s Writings Paul refers to male-male sexual relations 3 times: Rom. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:9; and 1 Tim. 1:10 Paul refers to male-male sexual relations 3 times: Rom. 1:27; 1 Cor. 6:9; and 1 Tim. 1:10 The form of homosexuality that Paul was familiar with was pederasty – the Greek practice of adult males sexually using young boys at the gymnasium. The form of homosexuality that Paul was familiar with was pederasty – the Greek practice of adult males sexually using young boys at the gymnasium. Paul was right in criticizing that practice. Many pagan moralists did, also. Paul was right in criticizing that practice. Many pagan moralists did, also. But assuming Paul’s condemnation applied to all homosexual conduct, are we constrained by that opinion? But assuming Paul’s condemnation applied to all homosexual conduct, are we constrained by that opinion?

Did Paul approve or disapprove? Do we? Slavery Slavery Governments – even repressive ones Governments – even repressive ones Husbands and wives as equal partners in relationship Husbands and wives as equal partners in relationship Women speaking in church Women speaking in church Homosexual conduct Homosexual conduct Approve 1 Tim. 6:1-2 Approve 1 Tim. 6:1-2 Approve Rom. 13:1-3 Approve Rom. 13:1-3 Disapprove. Eph. 5:22-24 Disapprove. Eph. 5:22-24 Disapprove. 1 Cor. 14:34-35 Disapprove. 1 Cor. 14:34-35 Arguably disapprove Arguably disapprove

Finally, which is more important when they conflict – a specific prohibition, or the broad themes of the Christian message? Which is more central – Paul’s statements about homosexuality, or these: “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.... Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do notice the log in your own eye?” Matt. 7:1-3 “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.... Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do notice the log in your own eye?” Matt. 7:1-3 “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17 “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17 “For Christ is the end of the law so that there might be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Rom. 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law so that there might be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Rom. 10:4

Discussion Is the Bible as clear on this issue as we’ve always been told? Is the Bible as clear on this issue as we’ve always been told? If the Bible isn’t as clear as we’ve been told, where does that leave us? If the Bible isn’t as clear as we’ve been told, where does that leave us? What is your story? What is your story? What should our response be? What should our response be? Returning to the five positions listed at the beginning, what do you think about this issue? Returning to the five positions listed at the beginning, what do you think about this issue?

What do you believe? Five Possible Positions The Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong. End of story. The Bible says homosexual behavior is wrong. End of story. Why do we have to keep talking about this? It makes me uncomfortable. Why do we have to keep talking about this? It makes me uncomfortable. Everyone knows we’re open-minded. Why do we have to make a fuss about it? Everyone knows we’re open-minded. Why do we have to make a fuss about it? I love the United Methodist Church, but it is wrong on this issue. I have to fight to get the church to see what’s right. I love the United Methodist Church, but it is wrong on this issue. I have to fight to get the church to see what’s right. How can I stay in an institution that causes so much pain to my gay and lesbian friends and relatives? How can I stay in an institution that causes so much pain to my gay and lesbian friends and relatives?

A Special Thought for the Third Group The third position: Everyone knows we’re open-minded. Why do we have to make a fuss about it? The institutional church has condemned and persecuted gays and lesbians for centuries. Still today, our denomination’s official policy is to declare homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teachings.” If the larger church says “NO,” don’t we have to say a clear “YES?” The institutional church has condemned and persecuted gays and lesbians for centuries. Still today, our denomination’s official policy is to declare homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teachings.” If the larger church says “NO,” don’t we have to say a clear “YES?” MLK said “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” MLK said “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”