Homosexuality

In 2005: Gay people were able to undertake civil partnerships in the UK

In 2014: Gay people had access to full marriage rights in the UK

Conservative Christianity: Biblical teachings and traditional theologians

Natural moral law: The Catholic view

Liberal Christianity: The Bible is not the literal word of God so we need to update Christian ethics for modern times (E.g Fletcher)

Religion and homosexuality

Opposition to homosexuality within Christianity comes from the Old Testament

Leviticus 18:22 states that: "men should not have sexual relations with a man as one does women."

The crime of homosexuality, at the time, was punishable by death.

The city of Sodom was destroyed by God after he discovered that homosexual acts were taking place in the city.

The stance of Christians today

Christians argue that sex is for the purpose of reproduction and therefore homosexuality is unnatural.

Pope Francis has since declared that homosexuality is not a crime, is this a step in the right direction, is the Church starting to adapt?

Issues surrounding homosexuality

• Are gay Christians required to be celibate?
• Is gay marriage really marriage in the spiritual sense?
• Can homosexuality be cured?
• Issues around free speech in regards to homosexuality.