Are Christians Against Gay People?

Post Author: Bill Pratt 

It seems that Christians are against gay people, based mostly on our responses to same-sex marriage proponents. Since many Christians are fighting same-sex marriage, then it is understandable that it seems that we are anti-gay. The truth, however, is that no Bible-believing Christian can be against gay people.

I myself have written several blog posts against same-sex marriage, but I thought it was time I step back and affirm some things about gay people outside the same-sex marriage issue. Here are my thoughts.

First and most important, Jesus died for gay people, which means their sins, just like mine, were atoned for on the cross. They, like me, only have to accept God’s unconditional gift of salvation.

Second, we should welcome gay people into our churches without demanding that they “stop being gay” before joining. The church is a hospital, so we should expect all kinds of patients, not just the kinds of patients we’re most comfortable treating.

Third, although gay sexual acts are sinful, they should not be singled out as being worse than all other sexual sins. Heterosexual sexual sins, being an order of magnitude more prevalent, have caused far more damage. Given that homosexuals constitute only 2-3% of the population, we have to say that heterosexuals are the dominant cause of the breakdown of the traditional family.

Fourth, we should support any legislation that addresses illegitimate discrimination against gay people.

Fifth, regardless of sexual orientation, monogamous relationships should always be promoted over promiscuity. Promiscuity is a powerful sin amplifier because it involves many people, whereas monogamy limits the damage of sexual sin to fewer people.

Sixth, there is a continuum of same-sex attraction among homosexuals. Some people feel the attraction very strongly and some feel it weakly. This is no different from heterosexuals, who also experience sexual attraction more or less strongly. Don’t think you know how all homosexuals feel because you happen to know one, or worse yet, because you’ve seen gay characters on TV shows.

In summary, although I will continue fighting against the legalization of same-sex marriage, I want gay people to understand that my views about homosexuals extend well beyond this one issue. I don’t hate gay people. I don’t want them to be treated unfairly. I recognize that their sins do not deserve to be singled out above all other sins. I want them to feel welcome in my church. I want them to come to faith in Christ.