GCSE RS Unit 3.3 - Homosexuality Flashcards
What are the public’s thoughts on homosexuality in 1983, 2010 and 2012?
1983 - 62% of UK public said homosexuality is wrong
2010 - 36% of UK public said homosexuality is wrong
2012 - 1.5% of UK population say they are homosexual
What are the Roman Catholic beliefs on homosexuality?
Homosexual inclination is not a sin, but Homosexual acts are sinful because:
- “they are contrary to natural law since they close the sexual act to the gift of life” - the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2357-9
- they are condemned in the Bible in Five Separate places: Genesis, Leviticus, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy
- “Homosexual persons are called to chastity” … the church should support them in … “… friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace”
- “Every sign of discrimination should be avoided” … homosexuals should be treated with … “… respect, compassion and sensitivity” - Catechism of the Catholic Church
What are the Evangelical Protestant beliefs on homosexuality?
Being homosexual is a sin because it says so in the Bible:
- You shall not live with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination - Leviticus 18:22
- Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. - Romans 1:27
Being homosexual is a sinful choice, and no Christian should be homosexual
Often publicly protest Gay rights laws & even argue homosexuality can be ‘cured’ and ‘healed’
What are the Liberal Protestant beliefs on homosexuality?
Lifelong monogamous homosexual relationships are morally acceptable
Wide spectrum of views from Fully Acceptance to Partial Tolerance:
- Some churches perform Gay marriages, and bless Civil Partnerships (e.g. Quakers)
- in Church of England, priests can be homosexual but are expected to remain celibate
Bible passages that condemn homosexuality need to be re-interpretated for today. They reflect ancient Jewish culture, and not the Will of God
Jesus never said anything about homosexuality - so he wasn’t bothered by it
