Homosexuality and Seventh-day Adventism

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In Seventh-day Adventism, homosexual behaviour is considered a violation of God's commands, and as such, openly homosexual behaviour is subject to church discipline. However, "Gay and lesbian members who choose to be, and remain, [sexually] abstinent should be given the opportunity to participate in all church activities including leadership positions in the Church. Those who struggle with temptation to sin should be treated the same way as other members who struggle with sexual sin (Matt 18:4; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31; 19:10). We strongly affirm that homosexual persons have a place in the Seventh-day Adventist Church." [1] The Church's opposition to same-gender sexual practices and relationships is on the grounds that "sexual intimacy belongs only within the marital relationship of a man and a woman." [2] The Church believes the Bible consistently affirms the pattern of heterosexual monogamy, and all sexual relations outside the scope of heterosexual marriage are contrary to God's original plan. [3] Although there are individual churches that welcome openly LGBT people, such as the Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist Church [4] and the Crosswalk Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference remains opposed to this. [5] [6]

Contents

History

The Seventh-day Adventist Church's position on homosexuality has been progressive. When a gay marriage bill came before the California legislature in April 2004, Adventist church members were urged to contact their representatives and voice their opposition. In the September/October, 2004, issue of church periodical, Liberty , which was devoted to the issue of gay marriage, the religious liberty director called for the church not to remain silent in opposing gay rights. [7] In "The Liberty Blog" the religious liberty director for the North American Division of the Adventist church argued against the proposed federal "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007," suggesting it could have an indirect impact on free speech, would give special protection to some crime victims while failing to cover others, would be unnecessary since local laws already provide protection against hate crimes, and could lead to marginalizing those who oppose homosexual practice. [8] In October 2015 the Adventist church published a statement of its acceptance of homosexually-inclined members who abstain from openly homosexual behaviour in accordance with the Bible [see "Church statements regarding homosexuality" below].

Church statements regarding homosexuality

Official statements:

See also "An Affirmation of Marriage", voted 1996, and "Marriage and the Family", doctrine number 22 in Seventh-day Adventists Believe—A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines.

According to the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, one reason for church discipline includes, "Such violations as fornication, promiscuity, incest, homosexual practice, sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults, and other sexual perversions, and the remarriage of a divorced person, except of the spouse who has remained faithful to the marriage vow in a divorce for adultery or for sexual perversions." [10]

Independent Church ministries

The Seventh-day Adventist church was involved with Colin Cook's Homosexuals Anonymous in the 1980s, but have since withdrawn their funding support after Cook's scandal and subsequent resignation in 1986. [11] Some independent adventist ministries such as 3ABN and Amazing Facts have been supporting a ministry known as Coming out Ministries, run by a number of ex-gay people, including Michael Carducci and Wayne Blakely, who have now been celibate for a number of years, and a pastor who is now in a heterosexual marriage, Ron Woolsey. [12]

Uganda Controversy

On December 17, 2012, the Ugandan daily newspaper New Vision published an article reporting that the Adventist church president for East and Central Africa, Blaisious Ruguri, had delivered a speech at Mbarara SDA Church in which he declared that Adventists "fully" supported the government's "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" (which criminalized same-sex intimacy with lengthy prison terms and demanded the death penalty for repeat offenders. The article, which includes a photo of Ruguri standing alongside state MP Medard Bitekyerezo, quotes Ruguri saying:

"Our stand is 'zero tolerance' to this vice and to western influence on this crucial issue because God says no to it. We are together with the President and the Speaker and we fully support the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. I call upon all religious ministers, all Ugandans, and all Africans to say no to Homosexuality. Let us stand for our sovereignty as Ugandans and as God fearing people even the heavens fall." [13]

On December 19, the president of Kinship International, Yolanda Elliott, sent a letter to Adventist world church president, Ted Wilson, and to the church's public relations officer, Garret Caldwell, that read in part:

"Through Pr. Ruguri’s statements and the Adventist church’s continued membership in the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, the church is now justifying the prosecution, imprisonment, and potential execution of Ugandan LGBT people and their families. As Adventists, and regardless of the church’s statements on human sexuality, we believe that the Seventh-day Adventist church should never stand for the violation of basic human rights. The recent End It Now campaign is just the latest example of our church’s track record of standing against violence and abuse. Because of that track record, we do not accept that one of the church’s top-ranking leaders can support legalized violence against a minority group or use the pulpits and authority of the worldwide church to do so." [14]

On December 21, the Adventist News Network in Silver Spring, Maryland issued a press release saying that the New Vision article did not "convey an accurate representation of his [Ruguri's] intentions or the voted position of the church regarding homosexuality." The ANN article quoted Ruguri declaring he had no knowledge of the contents of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill and that the newspaper had misrepresented his actual views:

"It is unfortunate that the media took the liberty to extend my statements to suggest what I did not say or imply. I have never seen that bill. Mine was a general statement to disapprove of homosexual practice and behavior. Our church is a ministry of mercy, and as a minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church I cannot condemn homosexuals to death or to hell." [15]

Jamaican Adventist Politicians and Criminalization of Homosexuality

In July 2012, Human Rights Watch sent a letter to Jamaica's newly elected Prime Minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, urging her to take stronger action than her predecessors to protect the basic human rights of homosexuals in the country. According to HRW, in the eight years since its 2004 report, "Hated to Death: Homophobia, Violence, and Jamaica's HIV/AIDs Epidemic," [16] "attacks on homosexual people or people perceived as being homosexual or transgender appear to remain commonplace." [17] Jamaica is widely described by rights organizations as among the most dangerous places in the world to be a homosexual, with the authorities often turning a blind eye to assaults and murders of gays, lesbians, and their allies. With more than a quarter of a million Seventh-day Adventists, Jamaica also has among the highest percentages of Adventists of any country in the world. Approximately 10% of all Jamaicans are Adventist. [18] Numerous Adventists have served in prominent positions in government.[ citation needed ]

In a November 2011 interview with a Jamaican newspaper, The Gleaner, Seventh-day Adventist and then-Prime Minister Andrew Holness rejected calls from Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron that he repeal Jamaica's "anti-buggery" laws, which criminalize same-sex intimacy with jail times of up to 10 years. [19] Holness served as Prime Minister of Jamaica from October 2011 until January 2012, when he was succeeded by Simpson-Miller.

During the 2011 election debates, Holness and Simpson-Miller were both asked whether they would be willing to include homosexuals in their cabinets. [20] Simpson-Miller replied that "Our administration believes in protecting human rights of all Jamaicans. No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation...people should be appointed to positions based on their ability to manage." Holness, by contrast, made clear that he would not permit homosexuals to serve in his government as long as the public remained hostile to gay rights. "My sentiments reflect the sentiments of the country," he said. "The prime minister has a discretion, but that discretion can not be exercised in a vacuum."

In August 2013, the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists published an article on its website under the heading "Same-sex marriage is not a human rights issue", stating that the Adventist Church in Jamaica has "been very strident in its opposition of any softening or repealing of the buggery law." [21]

Another prominent Jamaican Adventist politician who has spoken against gay rights is Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen. In a November 2012 address, he urged his countrymen to follow the example of the biblical prophet Nehemiah, who demonstrated "zero tolerance of corruption and determined action to stamp it out." Allen lamented "a significant change for the worse...what is referred to as the 'new norm.' The trend began with the banning of prayer in schools and later, in state institutions in the former bastion of Christianity, the USA, under the banner of freedom of religion." He continued, "There is mounting pressure on states such as Jamaica to recognize specific rights for lesbians and gays, with even threat of withholding financial assistance from those who do not." According to Allen, however, "there is nothing wrong with Jamaica which cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica." [22]

The Netherlands Union Conference

The Netherlands Union Conference has encouraged all of the churches under their conference to be a safe place to go and discouraged church in the Netherlands Union Conference due to concerns about the safety of LGBT individuals [23] [24] "Although we acknowledge the biblical ideal of a monogamous, heterosexual relationship, we continue to emphasise that it is an ideal. The basis of Christianity is that all people fall short of God's ideal; this is why we require God's grace and Christ's sacrifice. This leads to the conclusion that we, as Christians, must welcome all children of God – who all fall short of God's ideal – into our churches with love." [25]

The Southern Ghana Union Conference

In the raising debate on the legalization of the anti-lgbt bill in Ghana, the Southern Union Conference in Ghana have joined the debate about the anti-LGBT bill with a call for the passage of the bill into law. [26] In a letter signed by the church's president, pastor Dr. Thomas Techie Ocran, the church stated that homosexuality is an aberration of nature and a sin that requires the practitioners to be saved. [27] As a result, they declared their support for the measure's passage into law and urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to support it. The bill is currently on the table for consideration and adoption in Parliament.

Andrews University

Andrews University has been put on the anti LGBT Shame List due to the cupcake controversy [28] [29] [30] which stopped a bake sale of students who wanted to help Project Fierce with the students saying that this is not about theology. Andrews University's response was that while they value LGBT people and recognize that probably 40% of homeless people are LGBT, they oppose perceived LGBT advocacy of same-sex relationships. [31] Aull4One has raised $17,480 [32] for Project Fierce outside [33] of Andrews university campus and has raised money online; LGBT students were divided on the controversy. [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

Christianity and homosexuality Relationship between Christianity and homosexuality

Within Christianity, there are a variety of views on sexual orientation and homosexuality. Even within a denomination, individuals and groups may hold different views, and not all members of a denomination necessarily support their church's views on homosexuality. Various mainline protestant denominations have taken a supportive stance towards blessing homosexual clergy and same sex marriage while others such as the Catholic church have not.

Anti-LGBT rhetoric Slogans or catchphrases that demean LGBT movement

Anti-LGBT rhetoric comprises themes, catchphrases, and slogans that have been used against homosexuality or other non-heterosexual sexual orientations in order to demean lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. They range from the demeaning and the pejorative to expressions of hostility towards homosexuality which are based on religious, medical, or moral grounds. It is a form of hate speech which is illegal in countries such as the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

Family Research Council American evangelical activist group

The Family Research Council (FRC) is an American evangelical activist group and think-tank with an affiliated lobbying organization. FRC promotes what it considers to be family values. It opposes and lobbies against: access to pornography, embryonic stem-cell research, abortion, divorce, and LGBT rights. The FRC has been criticized by media sources and professional organizations such as the American Sociological Association for using "anti-gay pseudoscience" to falsely conflate homosexuality and pedophilia, and falsely to claim that the children of same-sex parents suffer from more mental health problems.

Gay agenda Disparaging term used by opponents of gay rights activism

"Gay agenda" is a term introduced by sectors of the Christian religious right as a disparaging way to describe the advocacy of cultural acceptance and normalization of non-heterosexual sexual orientations and relationships. The term originated among social conservatives in the United States and has been adopted in other nations with active anti-LGBT movements such as Hungary and Uganda.

LGBT rights in Ukraine

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Ukraine face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT people. Same-sex sexual activity between consenting adults is legal in Ukraine, but prevailing social attitudes are often intolerant of LGBT people, and households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for any of the same legal protections and recognition available to opposite-sex couples.

LGBT rights in Ghana

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Ghana face legal and societal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT citizens.

LGBT rights in Jamaica

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Jamaica face legal and social issues not experienced by non-LGBT people. Sexual intercourse between same-sex partners is legally punishable by imprisonment, torture, vigilante executions, and vigilante beatings.

LGBT rights in Moldova

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Moldova face legal and social challenges and discrimination not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for the same rights and benefits as households headed by opposite-sex couples. Same-sex unions are not recognized in the country, so consequently same-sex couples have little to no legal protection. Nevertheless, Moldova bans discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace, and same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1995.

LGBT rights in Rwanda

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people living in Rwanda face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. While neither homosexuality nor homosexual acts are illegal, homosexuality is considered a taboo topic, and there is no significant public discussion of this issue in any region of the country. No special legislative protections are afforded to LGBT citizens, and same-sex marriages are not recognized by the state, as the Constitution of Rwanda provides that "[o]nly civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognized". LGBT Rwandans have reported being harassed, blackmailed, and even arrested by the police under various laws dealing with public order and morality.

LGBT rights in Uganda

Both male and female homosexual activity is illegal in Uganda. Under the Penal Code, "carnal knowledge against the order of nature" between two males carries a potential penalty of life imprisonment.

Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International is a support organization that provides a spiritual and social community to current and former Seventh-day Adventists who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and/or intersex (LGBTI), and have felt hurt or rejected because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. SDA Kinship offers them the compassion and support perceived to not be available within the organized Adventist Church.

LGBT rights in Africa

With the exception of South Africa and Cape Verde, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Africa are limited in comparison to the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Out of the 54 states recognised by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Gay and Lesbian Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries. Human Rights Watch notes that another two countries, Benin and the Central African Republic, do not outlaw homosexuality, but have certain laws which discriminate against homosexual individuals.

Many views are held or have been expressed by religious organizations in relation to same-sex marriage. Arguments both in favor of and in opposition to same-sex marriage are often made on religious grounds and/or formulated in terms of religious doctrine. Although many of the world's religions are opposed to same-sex marriage, the number of religious denominations that are conducting same-sex marriages have been increasing since 2010. Religious views on same-sex marriage are closely related to religious views on homosexuality.

The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014

The Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2014 was an act passed by the Parliament of Uganda on 20 December 2013, which prohibited sexual relations between persons of the same sex. The act was previously called the "Kill the Gays bill" in the western mainstream media due to death penalty clauses proposed in the original version, but the penalty was later amended to life in prison. The bill was signed into law by the President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni on 24 February 2014. On 1 August 2014, however, the Constitutional Court of Uganda ruled the act invalid on procedural grounds.

Christopher Senyonjo Ugandan bishop

Christopher Senyonjo is a clergyman and campaigner for LGBT rights in Uganda. He was elevated to bishop in the Church of Uganda in 1974 and retired in 1998. In 2001, he was barred from performing services. Whilst it is widely claimed that this is because of his stance on gay rights, the church claims that it was because of his participation in the consecration of a man to be a bishop of a church with which the Church of Uganda is not in communion. He has since worked with the Charismatic Church of Uganda and the progressive Episcopal Church of the United States, and founded Integrity Uganda and the Saint Paul's Reconciliation and Equality Centre in Kampala. In 2006 the Church of Uganda declared him "no longer a bishop" and revoked all remaining privileges for his involvement with the Charismatic denomination. For his stance Senyonjo has received several honours including the Clinton Global Citizen Award, and has been invited to participate in documentaries and international speaking tours.

David Kato Ugandan LGBT rights activist

David Kato Kisule was a Ugandan teacher and LGBT rights activist, considered a father of Uganda's gay rights movement and described as "Uganda's first openly gay man". He served as advocacy officer for Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG).

LGBT rights in the Commonwealth of Nations

The majority of the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, still criminalise sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex and other forms of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Homosexual activity remains a criminal offence in 35 of the 54 sovereign states of the Commonwealth; and legal in only 19.

This is a timeline of notable events in the history of non-heterosexual conforming people of African ancestry, who may identify as LGBTIQGNC, men who have sex with men, or related culturally specific identities. This timeline includes events both in Africa, the Americas and Europe and in the global African diaspora, as the histories are very deeply linked.

Political activity of the Catholic Church on LGBT issues

The political activity of the Catholic Church on LGBT issues mainly consists of efforts made by the Catholic Church to support or oppose civil government legislation on issues of importance to LGBT people. The Church generally condemns all forms of violence against gay and lesbian people. However, the Church in certain countries has occasionally resisted efforts to decriminalize homosexuality or to introduce measures to tackle discrimination. The Catholic Church also supports legally defining marriage in civil legislation as the union of one man and one woman, therefore generally opposing efforts to introduce gay civil unions and gay marriage – although some clergymen have expressed support for same-sex unions. The Church teaches that not all discrimination is "unjust," and that discrimination against gay people in some spheres of life serves the common good.

References

  1. ↑ https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sem-books/27/, pp 17-18, October 9, 2015
  2. ↑ https://www.adventist.org/en/information/official-statements/statements/article/go/-/homosexuality/, October 17, 2012
  3. ↑ Annual Council of the General Conference Executive Committee (October 3, 1999). "Position Statement on Homosexuality". Seventh-day Adventist Church Statements. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
  4. ↑ "Hollywood Adventist Church // Where God's Spirit is Given Space to Change Lives". www.hollywoodsda.org. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  5. ↑ "Crosswalk's Statement on Acceptance And Diversity" (PDF).
  6. ↑ "HOME". CROSSWALK. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  7. ↑ Barry Bussey, "Why Silence is Not an Option," Liberty, September–October, 2004
  8. ↑ http://www.religiousliberty.info/blog/index.php?paged=3, June 28, 2007
  9. ↑ https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sem-books/27/, October 9, 2015
  10. ↑ Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, page 194
  11. ↑ "Troubled Career of Colin Cook".
  12. ↑ "Adventist Review : In Christ".
  13. ↑ Turyakira, Fred. "SDA church speaks out on Anti-Homosexuality Bill". New Vision Daily Newspaper. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  14. ↑ Elliott, Yolanda. "Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International Responds to Ruguri Statement". Adventistonline.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  15. ↑ ANN Staff. "Ruguri Says He's Against Proposed Ugandan Legislation Regarding Gays, Lesbians". Adventist News Network. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  16. ↑ Human Rights Watch. "Hated to Death" . Retrieved November 16, 2004.
  17. ↑ Human Rights Watch. "Letter to Prime Minister Simpson-Miller" . Retrieved July 18, 2012.
  18. ↑ Coke, Nigel. "In Jamaica, Visually Impaired Adventist Appointed Senate President". Adventist News Network. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
  19. ↑ Daraine, Luton. "Not Ready for Gays". The Gleaner. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  20. ↑ Gill, Jeff. "Andrew Holness vs. Portia Simpson-Miller: The Homosexual dilemma in Jamaica, during election debates 2011". Trivester News. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  21. ↑ Coke, Nigel. "Same-sex marriage is not a human rights issue". August 7, 2013.
  22. ↑ Allen, Patrick. "Address by His Excellency the Most Honorable Sir Patrick Allen". Website of the Governor General of Jamaica. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  23. ↑ Netherlands Union Conference (2014-04-24). "Homoseksualiteit en de kerk". Kerkgenootschap der Zevende-dags Adventisten. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  24. ↑ "Church in The Netherlands Commits Itself to Being a Safe Place for LGBTI Individuals". spectrummagazine.org. Retrieved 2016-11-10.
  25. ↑ "Church in The Netherlands Commits Itself to Being a Safe Place for LGBTI Individuals - Building Safe Places for Everyone". buildingsafeplaces.org. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  26. ↑ "The blood of Jesus can save homosexuals; SDA Church argues as it backs anti-LGBTQ+ bill - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  27. ↑ "The blood of Jesus can save homosexuals; SDA Church argues as it backs anti-LGBTQ+ bill - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
  28. ↑ "Shame List: The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth". Campus Pride.
  29. ↑ "Christian charities preach helping the less fortunate, unless you're gay". The Guardian. 2015-03-17. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  30. ↑ Reporter, Caroline Torie, WSBT 22. "2 local colleges rank in 'Worst Campuses for LGBTQ' list". WSBT. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  31. ↑ "Q&A About Student Fundraising Request - Andrews Agenda :: Andrews University". www.andrews.edu. Retrieved 2016-12-13.
  32. ↑ "After banned bake sale, fundraising for homeless LGBT youth takes off". The Herald Palladium. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  33. ↑ "Aull4One Raising Money for Project Fierce". Generosity. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  34. ↑ "Andrews University Lands on Shame List and LGBT Students Respond". spectrummagazine.org. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
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