Homosexuality and Baptist churches

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The positions of the Baptist churches about homosexuality are varied. They range from liberal to fundamentalist or moderate Conservative and neutral.

Contents

Basic beliefs

There is a diversity of views of Baptist denominations on homosexuality. [1] [2] Most denominations remain conservative, believing in what they describe as 'traditional' marriage between one man and one woman. [3] Some denominations allow local and autonomous congregations to determine their own regional policies. Some Baptist denominations supports same-sex marriage.

Denominational positions

Several organizations and denominations of Baptist churches have issued statements and resolutions about homosexuality.

International denominations

Fundamentalist position

In some Independent Baptist churches, there are anti-LGBT activists. [4]

Conservative position

The vast majority of Baptist denominations around the world hold a conservative view on homosexuality, [5] like those gathered in the Baptist World Alliance. [6] They only support sexuality in marriage between a man and a woman, but show sympathy and respect towards LGBT people. [7] Churches thus see themselves as “welcoming, but not affirming”. [8] [9] This expression has its origin in the book Welcoming but Not Affirming: An Evangelical Response to Homosexuality published in 1998 by the American Baptist theologian Stanley Grenz. [10]

Liberal position

The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is made up of Baptist churches, organizations, and individuals who welcome and affirm people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion within Baptist faith communities. [11]

National denominations

Neutral position

Some Baptist denominations do not have official beliefs about marriage in a confession of faith and invoke congregationalism to leave the choice to each church to decide. [12] [13]

  • The American Baptist Churches USA released a statement following the legalization of same-sex marriage by the Supreme Court of the United States saying that the denomination will "respect and will continue to respect congregational freedom on this issue." [14] While the General Board had previously voted to define marriage as "between one man and one woman," the denomination did not adopt the policy statement. The ABCUSA "allows individual congregations to decide whether to ordain LGBT clergy or perform same-sex marriages" and does not have a denomination-wide policy. [15]
  • The Progressive National Baptist Convention (USA) does not have an official position and, like many Baptist denominations, allows individual congregations to determine their own view. [16] As a result, some congregations have performed blessings and marriages for same-sex couples.
  • The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (USA) does not have an official policy on homosexuality (or other social issues). It allows individual organizations and churches to support or fund gay rights advocacy if they so choose, but it is not required or prohibited. [17] In 2018, the Affirming Network for full LGBTQ inclusion and affirmation was founded. [18]
  • The National Baptist Convention, USA passed a resolution in 2012 affirming that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, but mentioned that it leaves autonomy to each church to decide on the subject. [19]
  • The Baptist Union of Great Britain stated in a 2024 consultation that the Council upholds the liberty of the local church to appoint ministry according to their governing documents. [20]

Liberal position

Some Baptist denominations supports same-sex marriage.

See also

Related Research Articles

Baptists are a branch of Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul competency, sola fide, sola scriptura and congregationalist church government. Baptists generally recognize two ordinances: baptism and communion.

Within Christianity, there are a variety of views on sexual orientation and homosexuality. The view that various Bible passages speak of homosexuality as immoral or sinful emerged through its interpretation and has since become entrenched in many Christian denominations through church doctrine and the wording of various translations of the Bible.

The relationship between religion and homosexuality has varied greatly across time and place, within and between different religions and denominations, with regard to different forms of homosexuality and bisexuality. The present-day doctrines of the world's major religions and their denominations differ in their attitudes toward these sexual orientations. Adherence to anti-gay religious beliefs and communities is correlated with the prevalence of emotional distress and suicidality in sexual minority individuals, and is a primary motivation for seeking conversion therapy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Baptist Churches USA</span> Baptist denomination in the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooperative Baptist Fellowship</span> Baptist Christian denomination in the United States

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) is an association of Baptist Christian churches in the United States, established after the conservative resurgence within The Southern Baptist Convention. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance, and headquartered in Decatur, Georgia. According to a census published in 2023, the CBF claimed 1,800 churches and 750,000 members.

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The blessing or wedding of same-sex marriages and same-sex unions is an issue about which leaders of Christian churches are in ongoing disagreement. Traditionally, Christianity teaches that homosexual acts are sinful and that holy matrimony can only exist between two persons of different sexes. These disagreements are primarily centred on the interpretation of various scripture passages related to homosexuality, sacred tradition, and in some churches on varying understandings of homosexuality in terms of psychology, genetics and other scientific data. While numerous church bodies have widely varying practices and teachings, individual Christians of every major tradition are involved in practical (orthopraxy) discussions about how to respond to the issue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists</span>

The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) is an affirming Baptist Christian association of churches. The headquarters is in Louisville, Kentucky, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalism and LGBTQ people</span> Relationship between Unitarian Universalism and LGBTQ people

Unitarian Universalism, as practiced by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), is a non-Creedal and Liberal theological tradition and an LGBTQ affirming denomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT-affirming religious groups</span> Religious groups that affirm LGBTQ+ rights and relationships

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+)-affirming religious groups are religious groups that welcome LGBT people as their members, do not consider homosexuality as a sin or negative, and affirm LGBT rights and relationships. They include entire religious denominations, as well as individual congregations and places of worship. Some groups are mainly composed of non-LGBTQ+ members and they also have specific programs to welcome LGBTQ+ people into them, while other groups are mainly composed of LGBTQ+ members.

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The ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) clergy who are open about their sexuality or gender identity; are sexually active if lesbian, gay, or bisexual; or are in committed same-sex relationships is a debated practice within some contemporary Christian denominations.

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) affirming denominations in Judaism are Jewish religious groups that welcome LGBTQ members and do not consider homosexuality to be a sin. They include both entire Jewish denominations, as well as individual synagogues. Some are composed mainly of non-LGBT members and also have specific programs to welcome LGBT people, while others are composed mainly of LGBT members.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christianity and transgender people</span>

Within Christianity, there are a variety of views on the issues of gender identity and transgender people. Christian denominations vary in their official position: some explicitly support gender transition, some oppose it, and others are divided or have not taken an official stance. Within any given denomination, individual members may or may not endorse the official views of their church on the topic.

References

  1. ↑ John C. Dwyer, Human Sexuality: A Christian View, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 1987, p. 62
  2. ↑ David Jeffers, Understanding Evangelicals, Xulon Press, USA, 2006, p. 54
  3. ↑ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 519
  4. ↑ Wayne R. Dynes, Encyclopedia of Homosexuality: Volume II, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2016, p. 1062
  5. ↑ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 519
  6. ↑ Ted Olsen, Southern Baptists No Longer In, Nor Of, World Alliance, christianitytoday.com, USA, June 1, 2004
  7. ↑ Stephen Hunt, Contemporary Christianity and LGBT Sexualities, Routledge, UK, 2016, p. 40-41
  8. ↑ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 241
  9. ↑ Mark Jennings, ‘Welcoming, but not affirming’: being gay and Christian, theconversation.com, USA, August 30, 2016
  10. ↑ Roger E. Olson, The Westminster Handbook to Evangelical Theology, Westminster John Knox Press, USA, 2004, p. 316
  11. ↑ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 603
  12. ↑ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Scarecrow Press, USA, 2009, p. 503
  13. ↑ Bill J. Leonard, Baptists in America, Columbia University Press, USA, 2005, p. 243
  14. ↑ Roach, David (20 July 2015). "Gay marriage: Mainline denominations affirm SCOTUS". Baptist Press (bpnews.net). National News, World & Politics. Nashville, TN: Southern Baptist Convention. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  15. ↑ Bob Allen, Analysis: A timeline of CBF's LGBTQ debate, baptistnews.com, USA, July 7, 2016
  16. ↑ Salmon, Jacqueline L. (2007-08-19). "Rift Over Gay Unions Reflects Battle New to Black Churches". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  17. ↑ "CBF to approve funding for pro-homosexual groups; gay church literature featured in CBF exhibit". Baptist Press. Retrieved 2016-03-04.
  18. ↑ Bojangles Blanchard, Breakfast at CBF Launches Network for LGBTQ Inclusion, goodfaithmedia.org, USA, June 21, 2018
  19. ↑ "A Statement on the Same-sex Marriage Issue, Voting and Christian Responsibility" (primary source link Archived 2020-01-14 at the Wayback Machine ), National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. June 21, 2012
  20. ↑ EF, British Baptists not open to same-sex married pastors, evangelicalfocus.com, Spain, 22 March 2024
  21. ↑ William H. Brackney, Historical Dictionary of the Baptists, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 14
  22. ↑ Renato Cavallera, Aliança batista aprova o reconhecimento da união gay no Brasil e afirma que é uma “boa nova”, noticias.gospelmais.com.br, Brazil, May 25, 2011
  23. ↑ Javier Roque Martínez, 'El cristianismo no jugará un papel relevante en la oposición al gobierno cubano', newsweekespanol.com, Mexico, February 17, 2022
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