How can you be a gay Christian?

Question

I'm just curious to hear from some people who identify as both Christian and as gay. I am Christian, and I have many gay friends. I know (or know of) a few very strong Christians, who also happen to be homosexual. I just want to hear about some of your experiences. What do you believe about homosexuality? What is it like? Is it easy to be open at church and still be accepted?

Again, I just want to hear opinions, and honest thought. I don't want any controversy here. : )

This is in response to Avery's question:
Here's what I believe. It does say that God accepts everyone, but it does not say that he accepts sin. He forgives it, but only if the person asks for forgiveness. So to determine whether or not God accepts homosexuality, you have to decide whether or not it is a sin. Bible passages about that can be interpreted in various ways...so that is a personal question, between you and God.

There is no question in my mind that God accepts everyone, but that does not mean that everyone is saved. For that, you need to accept him as well.

For clarification. I'm not saying that it is right, or wrong. And I'm not really looking for a debate about whether or not it is either. I more want to know if a homosexual who considers himself (or herself) a Christian thinks that it goes against the bible, and if so, how do they handle that. If not, why do they think that it doesn't?
Thanks for all the answers though. I'm enjoying reading all of your opinions.

Answer 1

By what God's word says in the Bible, a person can not be gay and a Christian at the same time. Through Christ Jesus we are a new creation thereby causing the old self to be crusified. It is a sin and is seen as sin by God. The good thing is Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins, but we as new creations in Christ Jesus are not suppose to continue living our old ways. Unfortunately that isn't as easy as some of us would like it to be. So we do fall short and stumble and fall flat on our faces at times. If a person is claiming they will not repent from being a homosexual then that person is not a Christ like there by not a Christian. There are situations where a thing has become so saturated into a person that it becomes an ongoing battle with oneself to not fall back into that temptation. I do believe that Jesus can forgive our any and all of our sins, but we are to also turn away from doing them again. So I would say that if they really claim to be a Christian you should let them know that the word of God indicates that thing needs to be gotten rid of and that they should no longer look at themselves as one. I too know some homosexuals, and I love them as a person but I dislike their decisions. If they are doing their best to turn from it and have problems they need to be around fellow Christians that can help in times of weakness. All in all it is just like a Christian who falls back into old habits of defiling with the words that come out of the mouth.

Here is some scripture that points to it being wrong.

[Leviticus 18:22] 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

[Romans 1:24-27] {24} Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. {25} They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen {26} Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. {27} In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Answer 2

If you are a supposed Christian - whose beliefs should logically stem primarily and pretty much exclusively from just one Holy book - and you also happen to be a homosexual: I'm afraid you cannot call yourself a Christian in the traditional sense of the word.
Only by twisting the words in the Bible and by listening to human reasoning has anyone come to the false conclusion that God loves everyone, no matter what. Being a Christian used to be quite a hard thing to live up to - it seems that recently standards have plummeted somewhat.
That doesn't read right somehow. What I mean is not that gay people bring standards down but that there are a lot of things that the Churches used to disapprove of that they kind of let people get away with now.
Because they need the numbers to keep going these Christian organizations are, in effect, saying that 'as long as you keep coming to Church, then however you live your life is okay.'

Answer 3

I have asked my wife's cousin's partner about this...they say they believe in God, but the Bible was written by men, and the churches were started by men. They also say that to do good, and be kind and helpful is enough to grant them salvation, and they don't have to live by any Biblical rules. I do not agree with their beliefs, but you wanted to know the thoughts of a 'gay Christian'...the partner is Mexican and Catholic, my wife's cousin is an Asian Protestant. They don't attend church at all, because they don't want to be confronted. They don't really read the Holy Bible, because they don't like the mixed feelings they get. They do give money to the poor in Mexico and South-east Asia, and help many close friends and family members. It is not my call, nor is it my life.

Answer 4

THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK, okay?

I really do not think that you understand what a Christian is. What makes us a Christian? It's trusting God, right? Can a person who is sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, or swindlers enter into the kingdom of God?

If you can look at the list that I took from 1 Corinthians and tell me that you have been none of those ever, then you are perhaps so perfect that you dion't need Jesus. But if you have, then you do need Jesus. Those that know that they are sinners have the advantage-- as it is said, "Strength in weakness." and, "The Lord os my strength." It's because of Him we can get out of those funky things that we get ourselves into. And the only was to do that is trust Him (trust = faith).

I would refer you to Luke 18: 9 - 14

Answer 5

It really depends on what denomination of Christianity you are talking about. Some denominations are liberal, like the United Church of Christ where homosexuals are very much welcomed and accepted. Their tag line is "Jesus didn't reject anyone. Neither do we." They base their teachings on the teachings and example of Jesus. Jesus never says one word against homosexuality. There is evidence that Paul didn't either. The words being translated in Paul's writings as homosexual, didn't exist at the time of it's writing. In other words, Paul made the word up. It is unclear what the meaning of the word actually is, and until the 19th century was universally translated "masturbator."

There is also the argument that the Bible only condemns certain homosexual acts, much like it condemns certain heterosexual acts like rape and ritualistic practices. It does not condemn committed relationships.

I think it would be much more difficult for a homosexual to be a member of a right wing denomination.

BTW, I am a Gnostic Christian. There is no conflict between Gnosticism and homosexuality. In fact, in Gnosticism it is very important to know yourself for who you really are. Living a lie is completely incompatible with Gnosticism, and I would think with God as well.

Answer 6

After reading a few of the other answers that were offered I have a few things to add.

First most of the prohibition against homosexuality comes in the old testament (Leviticus 18:22 I believe.) and many gay Christians would view that that part of the old law would be overturned along with all the dietary laws when Jesus came.

Personally, I am gay but I am not Christian, I am not religious. I do have the perspective of one who was in catholic schooling for 13 years. As one who was entrenched in the catholic church by simple fact of school, I found it fairly easy to be out, my peers were accepting and had no issue with administration. If I were to be out in one of the more radical/fundamentalist Christian sects (see Jesuscamp for examples of what I am talking about here) they would try to "cure" me.

I think it all depends on the particular sect of Christianity you are referring to, while most of them hold onto condemning homosexuality there are some that are welcoming.

In response to all of the people who say it is impossible to be a gay Christian because it is an abomination one needs to look at where the majority of the prohibition comes in the old testament along with prohibitions against eating pork and not wearing cloth made of mixed fibers. Jesus himself never spoke about homosexuality, if it is such a big deal wouldn't the messiah talk about it at some point?

Answer 7

Honestly - I wish I could tell you that I knew so many Gay Christians but I don't...

The few gay christians that I have met have seemed very hopeless, sad, and confused. There seems to be way too much challenge between the two identities... so much, in fact, that they seem crazy to both Christians and Gays alike...

The only gay people that I have known to commit suicide have also identified as Christian.

I knew one gay guy who turned his back on everyone because a church was trying to "reform" him (make him feel guiltier and take his money) and they told him that anyone who accepted his previous lifestyle would want to see him in hell.

Nice thanks for being the guys friend, huh?

I'm a Buddhist and we don't bother with such nonsense...
We believe (usually, but I can't speak for all Buddhists) that Lust will keep you from achieving enlightenment but we do not separate gay lust from straight lust.

Answer 8

Romans 1:18-32 explicitly states of those believing the lie and God giving them over.
You cannot practice which is an abomination to the Lord and love Him. You change your view of God to benefit the lifestyle.
We are to live holy lives, pleasing unto Him, Homosexual behavior goes against His design for mankind.
You cannot claim a gay lifestyle and Christian.
Sin separates man from God. Only living a holy life, repentance, and the Blood of the Lamb will reconcile you totally with God.

Answer 9

No Christians cannot be gay. God does love them and wants them to turn away from their sin. God forbids any type of of sin. He says one than once in the bible that it is wrong. God loves everyone but hates the sin. They can get saved but they have to turn away from their sins.

Answer 10

The only way you can be a follower of God is to get on your knees, repent, and not live that life anymore. otherwise, you cannot be a child of God. you need to read the Bible in Genisis! Where man shall not lay down with man, man shall not lay with beasts of anykind, women shall not lie with women, ect. It goes on and on about sins.