Are there any Christian denominations that actually accept bisexuality?

Question

I have heard that these days there are some denominations of Christianity that accept homosexuality, bisexuality and transgendered persons, but I've no idea what they are. I'm curious as to how--if this is true and some denominations are accepting--the different denominations arrive at such different conclusions and interpretations of the Bible.

And, yes, I'm bisexual.

This charming and thought provoking question has been brought to you courtesy of Jack, aka the Aussie Atheist, aka the Simon Cowell of R&S

Okay, just so everyone knows, I'm an Atheist, so I'm not really concerned with finding an actual church to attend; I asked this question to see if there was anyone who could explain the different perspectives and how they were arrived at.

Answer 1

Can't you just feel all the christian love and kindness......

I agree with LJ...you ARE a hottie!!! The United Church of Christ accepts EVERYONE....they are true christians....

Answer 2

Jack B, there are. In fact, any denomination will accept you, the person. Most will not accept active homosexuality however. The person, yes, the act, no.

Some of the traditional Protestant denominations will accept practicing homosexuals, and will also ordain and marry homosexuals. Hot topic within American Christian circles.

The most liberal denominations with regards to this topic, from what I've seen, are Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian and Lutheran. There are strong opinions within each of these, on both sides. There are entire churches splitting from their main body, on a weekly basis.

The basic rationale, from what I gather, in support of active Christian homosexuals, is that Jesus primarily teaches to love one another. If you are a homosexual, the primary concern that Jesus has is if you are loved or not. They also teach that the four gospels don't teach against it, and so this isn't an issue to Jesus. If it were, He would have taught against it.

The counter position points to the various verses teaching against homosexuality, and that this act is sin.

Following the OT and NT, from a scriptural perspective, to say that homosexuality is acceptable to God looks to me to be a very difficult argument.

With this said, we are all sinners. The only answer to this problem is Jesus as Savior. To continue in sin does not please Jesus, which then gets into the once saved, always saved, versus conditional salvation.

Answer 3

Some Episcolians have accepted gay ministry. It's a very small start. It happened in VT and there was an uproar so huge the (female) minister received tens of thousands of death threats. Poor woman. It was a disgusting display of humankind and the media - using who she was to teach bigotry and hatred. The Episcopalian Ministry allows it's churches to "choose" whether or not homosexuality is abominable. Most choose yes, and preach against homosexuals.

Then again, there are bisexual and homosexual Christians. These groups are accepting of one another as Christians but there are incredibly stupid people out there who will NOT accept them as Christians. Being a Christian has nothing to do with sexuality. Even the Catholics get this garbage. You believe in the salvation of Christ as the son of God? You're a Christian. End of story. I wish Christians would get real and understand this.

I believe the churches will always be disgusted by that which they know nothing about. And they know nothing about a lot.

Answer 4

Hey Aussie Atheist I'm an Aussie Agnostic - The answer to your question - how do different denominations arrive at such different conclusions and interpretations of the bible? Human beings read and interpret based on their 'map' they will filter out and fill in based on what is most self deserving. The bible is full of interpretations, usually misinterpretations.

Interesting question from an interesting lifestyle.

I just came back from a week on Oxford Street Sydney - I miss that place.

Answer 5

Well, as you've seen, the United Church of Christ and I'll add the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. As you can see, it all goes back to how churches approach the Bible. The literalist, fundamentalist approach claim to take the Bible literally, but if they did they would also still own slaves. It's all about interpreting the Bible, and even though the texts remain the same, the way we read and understand them changes. So most progressive churches, that foster using our intelligence to interpret scripture are open to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. In Washington state my denom. (Disciples) has several ordained clergy that are gay/lesbian.

Answer 6

The fact of the matter is, people who claim to be Christians have lost sight of the fact that we are supposed to love others. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you look at the people who Christ hung out with, they were the ones considered the gutter slime of their day--tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, etc. He never turned anyone away. He did not condone their behavior, but he realized that they are flawed and fallen human beings just like the rest of us.

God declared that homosexuality is a sin in the Bible, yet it is not a "greater sin" or a "lesser sin." Sin is sin in God's eyes; evil is evil. Which means, that since I tell lies and have lustful thoughts, I am just as sinful as someone who practices homosexuality. The absolutely amazing thing about God is that in spite of the fallen nature of mankind, he loves each and every one of us. Christ said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life." Christ didn't say, "only the non-sinners who believe in him..."; if that was the case, we'd all be screwed.

The church has lost sight of the fact that we are all sinners; no one is greater than the next. We've become so unbelievably self-righteous in our doctrine that we forget the simple fact that Christ would not turn away a homosexual. He would not condone the lifestyle, as he created man to be with woman, but he'd still love them all the same.

The point is, we are supposed to love and accept homosexuals/bisexuals/etc as human beings created and loved by God, yet most often we don't. A truly Christian church would extend Christ's love to those people, but I'd be hard pressed to find one that would in this day and age.

Answer 7

At least ten different churches marched in my city's Pride parade this month, so the answer has to be yes. MCC churches seems to have a rep for being most accepting. www.mccchurch.org
An interesting book on alternative interpretations of the "homosexual" passages in the Bible is "What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality" by Daniel Helminiak. I highly recommend it.
Well met, Jack, and good luck.

Answer 8

I left the church because of their intolerance and judgement of any kind of variation from what they considered to be 'right'. Right and wrong, good and evil are simplistic, and I might add subjective opinions, not facts. Most religious people I have met seem unable to understand that ONLY humans seem to think they know what is right and wrong, the rest of the universe works on the principle of cause and effect. I wonder how beings that cannot even understand the infinite complexities of the universe can possible understand the mechanics of such an existence? (And I do count myself in that statement) Now I consider myself an Esoteric Christian Mystic, and I'd certainly like to think I have far more tolerance than I used to when I considered myself a religious Christian.

Answer 9

The simple answer to your question is: YES!

The United Church of Christ accepts all people from all walks of life. Jesus didn't turn people away...neither should we.


God is still speaking,

Answer 10

any RIGHTEOUS DENOMINATION MUST accept any race-background,any sex-orientation goers/doers,any murderer,any drunkard,any drug user,and whatever else kind of any.....as members. READ: Galatian 6:1.
Since the English word 'ACCEPT' does not only have 1 meaning,so....... The answer is on the verse above.
Do contact me in person if you feel need to.
GOD bless you,dude.