Christianity and LGBT Rights

A fairly conservative position regarding homosexuality and the rights of homosexuals in society is taken by the Russian Orthodox Church . The “ Fundamentals of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Social Concept ” explicitly stated that the church does not agree with the movement of the world community towards normalizing homosexuality:

“Discussions about the situation of the so-called sexual minorities in modern society tend to recognize homosexuality as not a sexual perversion, but only one of the“ sexual orientations ”that have the equal right to public expression and respect. It is also argued that homosexual attraction is due to an individual natural disposition. The Orthodox Church proceeds from the invariable conviction that the God-established marriage between a man and a woman cannot be compared with perverted manifestations of sexuality. ”

The Church “resolutely opposes attempts to present the sinful tendency as a“ norm “”, “condemns all propaganda of homosexuality”, “believes that persons promoting a homosexual lifestyle should not be allowed to teach, educate and otherwise work among children and young people, and also to engage leadership in the army and correctional institutions ” ^[1] .

The hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church MP, as well as some representatives of Orthodoxy, often criticize Western society for the normalization of homosexuality as a criticism of the principles of liberalism and the institution of human rights in general, which, in their opinion, blur the boundaries between good and evil ^[2] . The implementation of the principles of human rights , both in relation to the rights of homosexuals and in other cases, suggests that citizens may not adhere to the beliefs and values ​​that are preached by the church. This circumstance often leads conservative believers in the post-Soviet space to rejection of these principles as absolute. So, in the “ Fundamentals of the Russian Orthodox Church on Dignity, Freedom and Human Rights ”, the priorities of traditional morality and religious values ​​are proclaimed, to which, according to the authors of the document, the principles of human rights should be subordinated:

“The weakness of the institution of human rights is that, in defending freedom of choice, it less and less takes into account the moral dimension of life and freedom from sin.”

The bishops believe that “the realization of human rights should not conflict with God’s established moral standards and traditional morality based on them. Individual human rights cannot be opposed to the values ​​and interests of the Fatherland, community, and family. The exercise of human rights should not be an excuse for encroaching on religious shrines, cultural values, and the identity of the people ” ^[3] .

A similar point of view is also shared by some churches in the post-Soviet space ^[4] .

In Western countries, there is a different attitude of Christians to the principles of human rights . In June 2009, the Presidium of the Community of Evangelical Churches of Europe issued a statement stating that the ROC Council of Bishops incorrectly interprets the principles of human rights, subordinating them to the interests of the homeland, society and family. The authors of the statement note that in the evangelical understanding of human rights are rights that all people have on the basis of the dignity that God has endowed them with, and therefore no instance can challenge these rights ^[5] . Orthodox fundamentalists call such statements by Western Christians “the preparation of the dictatorship of the Sodomites, ” claiming that “ they cynically trample not only the Gospel, but also the Old Testament morality, building a new Sodom from Europe .” At the same time, the principle of secularism of the state is also criticized ^[6] .

The understanding of the principles of liberalism and human rights in the light of Christianity, as consistent with Christian values, is also paid attention to by individual Orthodox believers ^{[7] [8] [9]} . The priests of non-canonical Orthodox churches Gleb Yakunin and Yakov Krotov , known for their social activities, consider the position of the hierarchy of the ROC MP to be inconsistent with the Gospel principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights , which, in their opinion, is “the embodiment in civil law of one of the most important principles contained in the Gospel " ^{[10] [11] [12]} .

Public support of the rights of homosexuals by religious figures in the territory of the countries of the former Soviet Union is very rare, while statements of a discriminatory nature are not uncommon. So, for example, Protestant leaders in the post-Soviet space, just like the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church, oppose the exercise of the right of homosexuals to freedom of assembly in the form of holding public actions ^{[13] [14] [15] [16] [17]} and especially denying their rights to start a family .

Liberal believers, such as the UAOC priest (o) Yakov Krotov , believe that the exercise of the civil rights of sexual minorities should be protected in the same way as the rights of all citizens ^[18] . Despite the rather conservative position of the Russian Orthodox Church expressed in its social doctrine, in 2009, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church MP Kirill, at a meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, also spoke out against repression and discrimination against homosexuals:

“We accept any choice of a person, including in the field of sexual orientation. This is a personal matter. But the recognition of this fact in no way changes our position in relation to the phenomenon itself ... the religious traditions of all peoples testify that homosexuality is a sin, as well as the loss of the moral orientation of the person ... "However," a committed sin should not be punished. " “Therefore, we have always categorically opposed any repression and discrimination against people of a different sexual orientation” ^{[19] [20]} .

For this statement, Patriarch Kirill was criticized by the Yekaterinburg City Parents Committee, which expressed a desire to continue the fight against “propaganda of pederasty in schools”, the opening of gay clubs and the holding of “ gay parades ”, expressing concern about the possible disapproval of such a struggle by the Patriarch ^[21] . Some religious news sources on this subject stated that the “ “ anti-homophobic ”statements of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church MP enter into sharp contradiction with the prevailing“ homophobic ”moods in the church environment ^{[22] [23] [24]} .

Subsequently, the hierarchs of the ROC PM actively opposed the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights on the need to respect the rights of homosexuals to freedom of assembly in the form of gay parades ^{[25] [26]} , considering them to be “ propaganda of homosexuality ” ^{[27] [28] [29]} , supported the bills against “propaganda of homosexuality” at the regional level and expressed hope for the approval of such a bill at the federal level ^[30] . A report by three lawyers against the ECtHR’s decision on gay parades, “On the Right to a Critical Assessment of Homosexuality and the Legal Restrictions on the Imposition of Homosexuality” was published on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church’s office in Strasbourg ^[31] . The report expresses concern about the existence, according to its authors, of the development of protection of LGBT rights into “ open discrimination of heterosexuals, unjustified and illegal restrictions on the freedom of thought and speech of persons who are critical of the ideology of homosexuality for religious, moral and other convictions ." The Russian Union of Christians of the Evangelical Faith ( Pentecostals ) expressed solidarity with the report ^[32] .

Attitude to the rights of homosexuals in society among Christians in the world is mainly connected with various social concepts of churches.

Conservative Churches

Fundamentalists , especially in countries where homosexual relations are prosecuted, categorically deny any rights of homosexuals, equating them with criminals ^{[33] [34]} .

In the countries of Europe and America, some Christians consider these rights based on gospel truths ^{[5] [10]} . As a result, not only liberal but also conservative churches of these countries recognize a number of civil rights of homosexuals: as a rule, this is support for the fight against discrimination , excluding the problems of same-sex marriage and adoption of children ^[35] .

For example, in December 2009 , one of the most conservative churches in the United States, the Mormon Church , supported laws that prohibit discrimination against homosexuals in housing and labor. According to the director of public relations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Michael Otterson, “the church supports these laws because they are fair and reasonable and do not harm the institution of marriage ” ^{[36] [35]} .

Catholic Church

After the deprivation of its state status, the Catholic Church also managed to develop a social concept that recognizes the basic principles of human rights ^[37] . The catechism of the Catholic Church after the traditional condemnation of homosexual acts says the following:

“A fairly significant number of men and women have an innate tendency to homosexuality. These people have not made a conscious choice in favor of homosexuality; for most of them, this condition is a difficult test. They should be treated with respect, compassion and tact. All manifestations of unfair discrimination against them must be avoided ” ^[38] .

In 2008, the Catholic Church issued a statement “ urging states to end the criminal prosecution of [homosexuals] ”, calling it “a gross violation of human rights ” ^[39] . In December 2009, the Catholic Church opposed all forms of violence against homosexual people and stated that it was necessary to combat it at all levels and especially at the state level ^[40] .

Liberal Churches

Liberal churches express their position on the inadmissibility of discrimination against sexual minorities much more radically than traditional ones. For example, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ back in 1985 made a statement:

“Lesbians, gays and bisexuals were often despised by churches, were devalued and discriminated against both in church and in society. We commit ourselves to caring and participating with our brothers and sisters for gays, lesbians and bisexuals, arguing that: We believe that lesbians, gays and bisexuals, together with all other [people], have a value that comes from a person’s unique personality. ... We recognize the presence of ignorance, fear and hatred in the church and in our culture, and we commit ourselves to non-discrimination based on sexual orientation ... and we strive to include [in our communities] and support those who, because of this fear and prejudice, are in exile from the spiritual community. We strive to meet the needs and protect the interests of lesbians, gays, and bisexual people in our church and in society, actively encouraging churches, assisting [parties] and secular state bodies to approve and implement the policy of non-discrimination ” ^[41] .

Original text

"Lesbian, gay and bisexual people are often scorned by the church, and devalued and discriminated against both in the church and in society. We commit ourselves to caring and concern for lesbian, gay and bisexual sisters and brothers by affirming that: We believe that lesbian, gay and bisexual people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals; ... We recognize the presence of ignorance, fear and hatred in the church and in our culture, and covenant to not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, nor any other irrelevant factor, and we seek to include and support those who, because of this fear and prejudice, find themselves in exile from a spiritual community; We seek to address the needs and advocate the concerns of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in our church and in society by actively encouraging churches, instrumentalities and secular government bodies to adopt and implement policies of non-discrimination. ”

Liberal Christians go much further towards combating discrimination of homosexuals than traditional ones, supporting the entire package of demands of the movement for the rights of sexual minorities ^{[42] [43] [44]} , including adoption of children and equality of marriage ^{[45] [41]} .

Same-sex marriages remain the source of the most serious disagreement between traditional and liberal Christians. While conservative churches categorically condemn the practice of same-sex marriage ^[46] , liberal churches themselves consecrate same-sex marriages and advocate marriage equality in society ^{[47] [41]} .

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