Homosexual Relationships Prohibited
In recent years a tide of change has swept across America. Gay marriage has been the focal point of many court battles and legislations. As a result, public opinions has shifted majorly towards a more lenient and accepting view of same-sex relationships. This change poses significant challenges towards Christian individuals who remain steadfast in conservative values. Churches, believers, and ministers all over the nation now face serious conflicts and questions with their beliefs and the public around them (1).
Christians are currently feeling overwhelming pressure to make changes in their own churches that will allow for homosexual couples to practice in their facilities. They are already being labeled socially as hateful, prejudiced, and ignorant, which is a trial to the Christian who seeks to follow the council of Christ and love all. On top of that, ministers are being asked to perform marriages against their personal beliefs, churches are being targeted by unions and same-sex organizations, and Sunday school classes are being challenged by youth groups who shout discrimination. Free-churches still hold the freedom to hire as they wish, but for other religious organizations, tax statuses and anti-discrimination laws are forcing homosexuals into their ministry. So how are Christians supposed to act in response to this overwhelming pressure? It may feel as if it is no longer possible to live by the biblical standards that have defined our society for so many years. Dallas Jones asks the big question whether or not we are still able to adhere to God's counsel on Sexual matters in today's world. It is an excellent question and one that should be examined by all modern Christians. How can we live in today's world and not jeopardize our Biblical standards (1)?
Same-Sex Marriage and Today's Church: Statistics
Biblical standards used to be the moral guide for all of American society. Throughout our history, whether or not people were believers, they adhered to the moral code and values that was preached over the pulpit. Sunday school lessons were affirmed by parents in the home, and all of the people at work shared the same set of values. The church was the culture. Theology was not he question since people were free to believe or not, but still all people agreed on what was right and what was wrong, what was natural, and what was unnatural. People rarely challenged these morals and it lasted well into the 21st century (1).
Due to this long history of cohesion between the church and the state, many Christians are not accustomed to having to defend their faith like they are required to do today. For the first time in American history, public opinion is starting to sway against the Christian believers. Basic doctrines are being challenges and criticized and many people do not know how to respond without sounded bigoted or prejudiced. The sexual values of the Christian religion are on top of the list of values being challenged by society. Sexuality has never before been questioned like this due to the previously symbiotic relationship between church and culture (1).
People are describing the advent of gay marriage as "inevitable" (2) whether they support it or not. This represents the change that is happening in America in an excellent way. A June poll by the Pew Research Center discovered an incredibly slim majority being in favor of gay-marriage. 51% is the number of people in favor and those results are consistent with all other polls done. The results for those in favor of ratifying gay-marriage are always in the low 50's which mean that the nation is split almost in half on this issue (2). Gallup performed a similar poll and NBC did one as well. All of the results were unanimous with a slim 51 or 52% majority (3).
Something that is important to consider is the change of public opinion that has been documented over the last decade. According to a study performed in 2003, only 37% of the population actually held a positive image of homosexual men. Contrast that with the 2013 version of the same study that had that number jump to 55%, which makes it a huge change (4).
Almost one out seven people has claimed to flip their opinions on this issue. Most often the change occurs when a friend or family member of theirs 'comes out' as a homosexual. Gallup learned though that devout religious people that attend church regularly still disapprove since the approval rate is only at 23% (5).
Another interesting fact is the schism between old and young believers. A large portion of evangelicals...
Of this group. 50% were male, 50% were female, 38% were White, 35% were Black, and 16% were Hispanic. Adoption statistics are difficult to find because reporting is not as complete as it should be. The government spent $2.6 billion dollars to conduct the 1990 Census, but still it under-represented minorities and categorized children as "natural or by adoption" without differentiating, while special laws were implemented to "protect" and
61). In principle, adults tend to be drawn to potential romantic partners at least partly because part of the so-called chemistry between them reflects familiar aspects of their psychological pasts. Therefore, as pertains to marital communication issues, they are quite frequently direct consequences of the initial choice of partner more than anything else. When researchers examine the specific communication issues arising within unhappy marriages and other committed intimate relationships, one crucial
Thus, the stigma of homosexuality, even in committed same-sex marriages is still seen as a sin by many, and thus, the partners face prejudice, hatred, and injustice because of their sexual orientation. In a society that values freedom and free speech, this seems like an oxymoron at best. According to the Constitution, freedom should apply to all individuals. Interesting, this is one aspect of the five freedoms emulated by
Conflict Resolution: Scenario Analysis The purpose of this research paper is to find theories and ways on how people deal with conflict on a smaller scale. Conflict arises from differences. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. A deep personal need is at the core of the problem, such as a need to feel safe and secure, a need to feel respected and valued, or a
Moral issues should not come to play. Individuals who are against the adoptions do not care about equality or that research does not support their fears. Nor do these individuals care that the American Academy of Pediatrics, among an entire list of other human services and medical organizations for the betterment of children and families has taken a stand that adoption by gay parents and gay parenting in general
Homosexuality and Religion Homosexuality & Religion Defining Homosexuality Homosexuality and Religion Teachings of Roman Catholic Church Pastoral care of Homosexuals Views of Protestants Episcopal Church on Homosexuality Southern Baptist Religion and Discrimination against Homosexuals Harm Caused by Discrimination and the Religious Correlation Homosexuality and Religion In this research paper the author discusses Homosexuality within religious context. This research paper examines the functioning of policies of discrimination towards non-heterosexuals in Christian churches and determines if these policies are harmful to non-heterosexuals in the
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now