What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

It is important to know that Jesus never mentions homosexuality at all. Some biblical passages, seven Old Testament references, and three in Paul's letters, have been interpreted as condemning homosexuality. However, many Biblical scholars have either overturned or profoundly questioned both the common translations of key words and the simple readings of these texts. In the light of new evidence, we have had to reconsider the apparent biblical endorsement of slavery and the subordinate status of women; so too, we have good cause to rethink the assumption that any sexual contact between persons of the same gender is automatically sinful. A closer look at the whole scriptural record is essential on this issue.

The Scriptures at no point deal with homosexuality as an authentic sexual orientation - a given condition of being. The Hebrew and Greek languages in which the Scriptures were written contained no word for homosexuality. Loving and mutually respectful relationships shared by same-sex partners are not addressed in the Bible at all.

Our Congregational tradition upholds the right of each one of us to search Scripture and to prayerfully come to our own conclusions about what the Spirit is saying. There is broad diversity of theological position and religious belief represented in our congregation. What we do uphold together is that through Jesus Christ, God makes known to each of us God's love and acceptance.