It shouldn't be a problem – in Germany, anyone can marry, regardless of whether they are gay or heterosexual. Acceptance of homosexual people is growing worldwide, and same-sex partnerships are now legal in many countries – a significant change compared to 50 years ago.
But what do Christians say about this?
What could God have against the love between equal people who harm no one and take responsibility for one another? Absolutely nothing. Nevertheless, there are voices claiming that homosexuality is against the Bible. This attitude is still widespread in parts of the official churches—particularly in the Catholic Church, in some Protestant congregations, and among evangelical Christians. Therefore, on this website, we would like to address the topic of Homosexuality and the Bible .
On January 24, 2022, over 100 people from the Catholic Church dared to come out publicly in the documentary How God created us – a moving and highly recommended film.
Another reason we are addressing this issue here is the declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church of March 15, 2021. This declaration stipulated that same-sex partnerships must not be blessed because they supposedly do not correspond to God's will. We consider this statement presumptuous and disagree. Therefore, we expressly support Catholic pastors and priests who publicly advocate for and perform the blessing of same-sex couples.
David and Jonathan – a bond between men
This male friendship was, as David said, “more precious than the love of a woman.” (2 Samuel 1:26) Whether it was really sexual, we do not know.
Beyond being held
freed from the constraints of wanting
Wonderful things happen to us
graceful instability
No longer comprehensible
washed into the art of loving
Amazing things happen to us
radiant obscurity
No longer understandable
enraptured in divine proximity
embodied prayer is given to us
connects us compassionately with everything
Pierre Stutz from: Your kisses enchant me, p. 119
Homosexuality in the Bible
There are only a few passages in the Bible that explicitly address homosexuality. Often, individual verses are interpreted as anti-homosexual – including seven biblical passages: Genesis 19:5; Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 in the Old Testament, and Romans 1:26; 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10 and Jude 1:7 in the New Testament.
Many of these passages, however, refer to entirely different topics—such as child abuse or (mass) rape. The verses from Leviticus 20:13, in particular, are often understood as a direct rejection of homosexuality. But according to Helsinki theologian Joanna Töyräänvuori, they are mistranslated:
The original meaning refers to two men lying in a woman's bed—that is, to a situation in which two men sleep with one woman. Only later was this text interpreted as a condemnation of homosexual relationships.
Leviticus 20:13 reads in the Luther Bible 2017: "If a man lies with a man as he lies with a woman, they have committed an abomination; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them." (Leviticus 20:13)
But Töyräänvuori shows that the Hebrew phrase "miškebe išah" actually means "in a woman's bed" or shared a woman's bed—a metaphor for sexual intercourse with a woman. The original meaning therefore refers not to homosexual relationships, but to a "ménage à trois." Full article by theologian Joanna Töyräänvuori from 2021 in katholisch.de
What does it actually mean when something is an abomination to God?
In the Old Testament, there are many things that are described as abominations that no one pays attention to today and are seen as obsolete today
Whoever hits or curses his parents shall die.
Women are not allowed to wear “men’s clothing” – that is, no trousers.
The Sabbath commandment, one of the Ten Commandments, is often not consciously kept.
Many dietary laws are ignored – pork, rabbit, and lobster are considered “unclean,” but are eaten anyway.
Meat is eaten with cream sauce – forbidden in the Bible.
Polygamy was common back then, as was slavery – but today no one would seriously demand the right to keep slaves or to marry multiple wives.
For some people, homosexuality feels "unnatural"—but that has nothing to do with God or spirituality. It's a personal feeling, comparable to a devout Jew being asked to eat pork for the first time.
So, the idea that homosexuality is against the Bible is does not hold up to honest scrutiny. God himself does not condemn homosexual people.
Homosexuality and Christian faith are not contradictory.
What is really important about Christianity?
If I were to ask you, "What is the most important thing about Christianity?" would you answer, "That we are against homosexuality and divorce?" Probably not.
I would say: Christianity is a message of love. Jesus died and rose again to show us that nothing—not even death—can separate us from God and his love.
The highest commandment is: Love God – and love your neighbor as yourself.
Perhaps you have a gay neighbor, a lesbian colleague, or are queer yourself—and perhaps you've wondered whether this is compatible with the Bible. The answer is simple: Yes!
What is the most important thing about Christianity to you?
Not only in secret
hold your hand.
Not only in the closet
say yes shyly.
Not only in bed,
that God is in our love.
but let others strengthen you
but say yes with others
but also celebrate
laugh and feel:
God is there.
Right in our midst.
Just look!
What does Jesus himself say about homosexuality?
In short: Nothing.
Jesus speaks a lot about love, forgiveness, openness, peace, about the poor and the rich, about self-righteousness and compassion. But about homosexuality? Not a single word. Perhaps because it wasn't important to him. Perhaps because for him it wasn't an issue that should be placed above love and humanity.
And what does Jesus Christ say to marginalized people, to sinners and strangers?
A notable example is the non-Jewish centurion of Capernaum, who cares for his servant with great devotion—so much so that one wonders if he isn't particularly close to him. And Jesus says of him: “Truly I tell you, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel!” (Matthew 8:5-13)
Jesus also turns against those who believe they alone know what is right – against those among the scribes who, with their self-confidence, exclude others from faith: “You shut the kingdom of heaven to people, … you do not allow those who want to enter.” (Matthew 23:13)
Could it not be that it is not homosexual people who are distant from God, but rather those who want to exclude them?
The main commandment: Love
The highest commandment in the Bible is love:
Love for God, for one’s neighbor – and for oneself.
Who are we to destroy this love instead of nurturing it? God's Spirit often blows where we least expect it. If I condemn people who live an equal, sincere love—whether homosexual or heterosexual—then I hurt them and deny them the love they deserve.
That's why we welcome the fact that many Protestant regional churches are blessing or marrying homosexual couples. Because love is love – and every person who chooses love deserves God's blessing.
“Don't Stone Others.”
In 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses. In 1992, the American Psychological Association and the WHO stated: "Same-sex sexuality is neither a mental illness nor morally reprehensible (...) Attempts to 'fix' sociosexual orientation represent nothing more than social prejudice disguised as psychology."
Further information on homosexuality
For people who live committed Christian lives and deal with their sexual orientation www.zwischenraum.net
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