Homosexuality: Different Christian attitudes To K different Christian attitudes to Homosexuality To U why there are different Christian understandings on Homosexuality Explain why some Christians accept homosexuality and some do not. (8marks) The idea that someone can “be” homosexual is a modern discovery: in Biblical times, this concept didn’t exist. So we will only be talking about the morality of having homosexual sex, NOT homosexual persons.

Do these quotes suggest homosexual sex wrong, or can there be another interpretation? Leviticus 18:22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is an abomination. Leviticus 20:13 “‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. It’s morally wrong It’s only a cultural prohibition: not really “wrong ” as such “detestable”, and “abomination”, applying the death penalty = clearly not to be tolerated These prohibitions come in the middle of a list of other prohibitions about sexual matters eg incest, bestiality etc. If homosexual sex is OK then by the same logic, so are these… These words also used to describe eating unclean animals, having a proud look, breaking the sabbath: so homosexual sex is not that bad! Homosexual sex is mentioned together with prohibitions against following other gods: avoiding homosexual sex is more about acting differently to distinguish Israel from other peoples, so keep a special identity, rather than that homosexual sex itself is wrong.

The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching:, – Mt 19:4-5; Mt 19:10-12 : Is marriage the only legitimate option for a sexual relationship? Why isn’t homosexuality mentioned as an alternative? Perhaps Jesus was just explaining that marriage is an especially sanctified state? – Mk 7:20-23 Why isn’t homosexuality specifically named as one of the evils that defile ? St Paul’s Teaching: – 1 Cor. 6:9-10 – Rom. 1:26-28 Look up the relevant quotes and explain what you think they teach about homosexuality. Bible teaching is that Homosexual sex is a sin against how God designed nature to work (for procreation), against God’s commandments, and defiles one's own body.

Catholic evangelical Liberal protestant Fill in the gaps Identify which Church is represented Do any of the arguments surprise you ? Explain why some Christians accept homosexuality and some do not. (8marks)