Does Christianity = Opposition to Homosexuality?

Last updated on: June 28, 2016 at 4:55 pm by Jacob Lupfer

Does Christianity = Opposition to Homosexuality? 2016-06-28T16:55:58-04:00 Jacob Lupfer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The purpose of Capitol & Cathedral is to provide commentary and analysis on the role of religion in the 2016 presidential election. But people who are aware of my work will know that I occasionally venture into raising questions and offering thoughts about the role of religion in public life.

Last week, I discussed whether believing marriage is the union of a man and a woman is the same thing as “having religious objections to LGBT people.” Readers’ opinions varied. But I raised the question because I often see the progressives take it as a given that irrational animus is the only conceivable reason a person could believe that the state should not recognize same-sex unions as marriages.

Now I want to push back against a line I often hear from conservatives. They basically draw an equal sign between opposing homosexuality and being Christian.

Biola University now finds itself arguing for its right to be evangelical. https://t.co/6HjVdjPyck

— ERLC (@ERLC) June 26, 2016

This is a typical example. In fact, Biola University and other California institutions are arguing that, based on their sincerely-held religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, they should be exempt from certain LGBT nondiscrimination laws. They do not believe they should lose government funding for running their institution in accordance with their belief about marriage. But notice the implication here, which I see quite often: Evangelical = opposed to homosexuality.

Another example:

Mary Eberstadt: There are increasing attacks on Christian charities simply for being Christian charities. @RyanTAnd @kathrynlopez @NRO

— Stephanie Barclay (@shbarclay) June 28, 2016

The context here pertains more broadly to organizations, including Catholic-affiliated adoption agencies, that argue for certain exemptions from nondiscrimination laws. Again, “being Christian” is equated with opposition to homosexuality.

Most people believe there is considerably more to being Christian than opposing homosexuality (itself a matter of debate). But such rhetoric is tempting and powerful for social conservatives, even if untrue. For one thing, it draws upon and misappropriates the notion that they are being persecuted. Beyond that, it implies that any Christian who affirms same-sex relationships is actually not a Christian at all. This is convenient, but it is also arrogant and highly problematic.

Does the LGBT-affirming Christian cease being a Christian the moment he becomes LGBT-affirming? Or does such a conviction negate his salvation and retroactively render him an apostate for all those years he was a non-LGBT-affirming Christian?

Just as secular progressives wrongfully disparage religion when they say its sum total is nothing more than anti-gay bigotry, Christians do themselves no favors in the public square when they draw an equal sign between their faith and opposing homosexuality.

Uncategorized

Evangelicals

Homosexuality

Previous Post

June 28, 2016

Supreme Court Abortion Decision Reverberates in Presidential Race

Next Post

June 30, 2016 Trump Finally Comments on SCOTUS Abortion Opinion

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #Faith2016 Christian right Christianity Debates Democratic Convention Donald Trump GOP nominating contest Inauguration Media News roundup Personal Polls Religious freedom Republican Convention Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 August 2017 July 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz