Catholic
Roman Catholic
Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and can never be approved; persons with same-sex attraction must be accepted with respect and called to chastity.
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Homosexuality
What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Compare how six traditions teach it — each in its own terms.
Key versesGenesis 19:5Leviticus 18:22Leviticus 20:13Romans 1:26-271 Corinthians 6:9-111 Timothy 1:9-10Matthew 19:4-6Jude 1:7
Review status: initial-release
The passages most often cited — Leviticus 18, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1 — are read by five of the six traditions as presenting same-sex behavior as contrary to God’s design. Those five agree that Scripture treats such behavior as sin — the exception is the United Methodist Church, which changed its official teaching in 2024 — but they differ in how they distinguish attraction from acts, how they pastor gay people, and what they teach about marriage.
Content review notice: Initial release — under theological review. Positions summarize official denominational sources; named reviewers from each tradition are being onboarded.
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In 30 seconds
The Bible passages most often quoted — in Leviticus, Romans, and Paul’s letters — are read by five of the six traditions as describing same-sex sexual behavior as sin, and for most of church history Christians have taught that sexual intimacy belongs only in marriage between a man and a woman. Five of the six traditions still hold that basic reading — the exception is the United Methodist Church, which changed its teaching in 2024 — but they speak about it differently: how to distinguish between experiencing attraction and acting on it, how to care for gay people pastorally, and what marriage is. The biggest recent change came in 2024, when the United Methodist Church removed its old restrictions and began permitting same-sex marriages and LGBTQ clergy. This page lays out each church’s teaching in its own words, without taking sides.
At a glance
Six traditions, one line each
Tap a tradition to jump to its full column below. Traditions aren't ranked — shown in historical order, with your tradition first if you've picked one.
| Tradition | In one line |
|---|---|
| Catholic | Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and can never be approved; persons with same-sex attraction must be accepted with respect and called to chastity. |
| Orthodox | Sexual intimacy is blessed only in marriage between one man and one woman; those experiencing same-sex attraction are called to chastity and repentance. |
| Lutheran | Homosexual behavior is contrary to God’s will; the Church speaks the truth in love, calling sinners to repentance and forgiveness. |
| Reformed | Marriage is the union of one man and one woman; the seventh commandment forbids same-sex behavior, while the Gospel offers full forgiveness. |
| Baptist | Homosexual behavior is sin; marriage is one man and one woman for life; believers witness with truth and invite all sinners to Christ. |
| Methodist | Since 2024 the Church affirms LGBTQ persons fully: same-sex marriages may be blessed and LGBTQ persons ordained, at pastoral discretion. |
Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox
Sexual intimacy is blessed only in marriage between one man and one woman; those experiencing same-sex attraction are called to chastity and repentance.
Lutheran
Lutheran
Homosexual behavior is contrary to God’s will; the Church speaks the truth in love, calling sinners to repentance and forgiveness.
Reformed
Reformed
Marriage is the union of one man and one woman; the seventh commandment forbids same-sex behavior, while the Gospel offers full forgiveness.
Baptist
Baptist
Homosexual behavior is sin; marriage is one man and one woman for life; believers witness with truth and invite all sinners to Christ.
Methodist
United Methodist
Since 2024 the Church affirms LGBTQ persons fully: same-sex marriages may be blessed and LGBTQ persons ordained, at pastoral discretion.
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How we got here
The story of this doctrine across the centuries — how the early church practiced it, where the traditions diverged, and why.
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What the early church said
Quotes from the early church on this topic — its writers, councils, and creeds: what Christians believed before the traditions split, with full source citations.
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Common objections, answered
The pushback each view tends to hear — and how that tradition answers it, steelmanned fairly with sources.
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Verse breakdowns
The key passages behind this topic, verse by verse — tap any verse to see how each of the six traditions reads it.
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Word studies
The Greek and Hebrew terms where the meaning shapes the debate — what each word actually says, and why traditions read it differently.
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Go deeper
Keep exploring
Related topics where this conversation continues.
Marriage →
Every tradition’s teaching on homosexuality flows from its doctrine of marriage: what marriage is, who may enter it, and what sexual intimacy is for. Compare the marriage doctrines side by side.
Divorce and Remarriage →
The same biblical texts on marriage’s design (Genesis 2; Matthew 19) shape both debates. See how each tradition handles divorce and remarriage — and where pastoral mercy enters.
Sanctification →
All six traditions agree that Christians are called to holiness and that no one is beyond grace. Compare how each describes the Spirit’s transforming work in believers’ lives.
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Teach this topic
Class-ready resources for apologetics teachers and study leaders: key passages to assign, discussion questions, the toughest objections answered, and fathers to quote.
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