For a short answer to this question, we can look at John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (KJV).
Whosoever. No exceptions. Of course that includes LGBTQ people.
But there’s also more to this question than that. Christians are supposed to repent of our sin, and many people believe that gay people are sinning.
So are gay Christians sinning? If so, what should they do differently? And what does the Bible say about all this?
Let’s start here:
Is it a choice?
No one chooses who they’re attracted to. A straight boy doesn’t wake up one day and choose to be attracted to women. He can choose to avoid lust and sexual activity, but those basic attractions are there whether he wants them or not. The same is true for people who are attracted to the same sex.
In the past, many people believed that same-sex attraction was the result of bad parenting, childhood trauma, or a deliberate choice to turn away from God. We now know this isn’t the case; many devout, God-fearing Christians from loving homes are only attracted to the same sex, even though it’s not something they would have chosen. For more on this, read our full article on why some people are attracted to the same sex.
So if it’s not a choice, and many devout Christians are attracted to the same sex…
Is there a difference between being “gay” and being “same-sex attracted”?
The short answer is no. According to most dictionaries, the word “gay” simply means “attracted to the same sex and not attracted to the opposite sex.”
Of course, not everyone uses words the same way, and some Christians prefer not to use the word “gay” even though they are gay by this definition. For more on this debate, read our full article on the terms “gay” and “same-sex attracted.”
On this website, we use the word “gay” to mean that someone is attracted to the same sex (and not the opposite sex).
We already know those attractions aren’t a choice. But in that case…
Can gay (same-sex attracted) people become straight (opposite-sex attracted)?
Short answer: Probably not. Although a few people have claimed to have done it, closer examination of their stories casts serious doubt on their claims. Read our full article on gay-to-straight change to learn more.
Meanwhile, millions of other Christians have tried and prayed to become straight—in many cases all their lives—but did not experience any change in their attractions. Even if someone, somewhere did actually become straight, that wouldn’t change the reality that all those other Christians still have to live their lives with what they’ve got.
This is so important for straight Christians to understand. The question isn’t “Can gay Christians exist?” The question is, “Given that this is the reality for millions of Christians, how can they best live their lives to honor God?”
And that leads us to this question:
Can’t gay people just be celibate?
Yes, they can, and many do. There are a number of high-profile celibate gay Christians, and some of their books, resources, and organizations are listed on our website.
However, they themselves warn that celibacy should not be seen as an “easy fix” to make this issue go away. The apostle Paul warned that celibacy was not for everyone, and even for those who do feel called to celibacy, it can be an extremely difficult, lonely journey in a society built around families.
There are also many other difficult questions that aren’t resolved by saying, “Just be celibate.” For more on this, see our full article on the complicated question of celibacy.
All of this has led to a division among Christians. Some believe that requiring all gay Christians to be single and celibate is a legalistic misunderstanding of Scripture that is pushing people away from Christ. Others believe that it is a challenging but reasonable requirement from God, part of the cross gay Christians must carry, just as we all are called to sacrifice to live holy lives.
With that in mind…
What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
This is where Christians are most divided: What exactly does the Bible say about all of this?
Some Christians argue that the Bible clearly condemns same-sex sexual behavior and makes no allowance for same-sex marriage, no matter how loving or committed it might be. Other Christians argue that the Bible has been misunderstood, and that when we read in context, it doesn’t condemn loving same-sex relationships at all, but it does condemn the kind of legalism that pushes people away from God’s kingdom.
Our article on the two primary views goes into depth on this, as do many of the books and other resources listed in the Resources section.
So to summarize: Yes, there are many gay Christians, and they hold different views.
Some view their attractions as a lifelong temptation, their cross to bear in a fallen world.
Others believe God created them different on purpose, and that the Bible has been misinterpreted to condemn people who should never have been condemned.
Still others are somewhere in the middle, viewing their attractions as less than ideal but believing that God’s grace has included them in the kingdom anyway, just as eunuchs and Gentiles were once excluded but later “grafted in.”
There are many different people with many different views.
Here at GayChristian.Net, whoever you are, we want to help you find resources, community, and support as you seek to follow God and listen to what God is telling you.
