Homosexuality

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Definition and Summary of Orthodoxy's Position

Homosexuality is the state of being erotically attracted to or engaging in erotic acts with members of the same sex.

Orthodox Christians generally hold that homosexual attraction is not sinful in itself because it is a temptation, but homosexual acts are sins because the will conciously gives in to the temptation. Because of this, the Orthodox Church cannot not bless or condone homosexual behavior in any manner. The options for the homosexual Christian in this regard are the same as every other Christian's--marriage or celibacy. Some scholars have attempted to make a third way by suggesting that adelphopoeisis was a version of marriage, but the majority of Orthodox reject that notion on theological and historical grounds.

Official Orthodox Statements

• SCOBA's Statement on Homosexual Unions
• Statement from the Coptic Orthodox Church
• On Same-Sex Unions - Epistle of the Clergy of the Western Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (2004)
• The Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops Speaks Out on the Issue of Same-Sex Marriage

Articles from an Orthodox Perspective

• The Homosexual Christian - by Fr. Thomas Hopko
• Gays and the Orthodox Church: Can I still join the Church if I'm a homosexual? - Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos
• Homosexuality and the Church - by V. Rev. William Caldaroni
• Orthodoxy, Homosexuality, the NCCC and the UFMCC - From Holy-Trinity.org
• Homosexuality and the Church - by H.H. Pope Shenouda III, also available in PDF format (495k)
• Christianity and Homosexuality: Russians Speak Out by Srdja Trifkovic, August 17, 2000
• Gay ... But Not Funny by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

Personal Testimonies

• "I was in Hell" - A light-bearing post from Huw Raphael

Non-Orthodox Sources

• Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons - from the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Recommended Books

• Straight & Narrow: Compassion & Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate by Thomas E. Schmidt. InterVarsity Press: 1995. (ISBN 0830818588)
• Homosexuality: A New Christian Ethic by Elizabeth R. Moberly. James Clarke Company: 1997. (ISBN 0227678508) (Orthodox author)

Other Resources

• NARTH
• Exodus International