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Many Christian groups condemn homosexuality as a sin, pointing to specific passages in the Bible and traditional Christian views on sexuality and marriage.

How do these groups handle the question of whether a person can be both a practicing homosexual and also a Christian?

Are there any additional steps required? Do these groups teach that it would be sinful to continue practicing after one became a Christian?

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There are too many Christian groups that "condemn homosexuality as a sin" for you to get a comprehensive answer. Many (most?) groups will agree with AffableGeek, but some might not. You would do well to ask about specific Christian groups (Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, etc.) –  Andres Riofrio Jul 25 '13 at 7:23

4 Answers 4

1. What you "are" is irrelevant

Let us first distinguish between being a member of a class - in this case homosexuals - and engaging in any sort of behavior. For many people, being a member of the class "homosexual" means having feelings in one direction or another. In no event would a "temptation" towards a certain behavior be taken as exclusion.

James makes it clear that temptation itself is not sin.

Galatians also makes it clear that being a member of any class is irrelevant:


At the risk of self promotion, look at this answer for more.

2. What you do is irrelevant

Even without broaching the question of whether or not homosexual activity is sin, this question still be categorically answered "Of Course you can!"

The primary message of the Gospel is grace. Grace is God's unmerited favor - the free gift that he bestows in which he says "You are forgiven"

Remember that before God ALL MEN ARE SINNERS. As Isaiah 64:2 says, eve "our righteousness is as filthy rags" in God's sight. There is simply no person that God loves more than any other - he is "no respecter of persons"

Furthermore, as Ephesians 2:8-9 states,

"For by grace you are saved through faith - it is NOT through any work of your own, lest any man should boast." Since there is nothing that you do to earn your salvation, your status is irrelevant.

3. Whether or not you continue in homosexuality is the only question

Once one is a Christian, one is expected to grow in Christ - to become more Christ-like. Here is where as you mature, you may want to put these things away. But, understand, obedience comes out of love and desire to be more like Christ.

As Jesus says in John 14:12 "If you love me, keep my commandments." It is explicitly not "Do what I say so that I will love you."

Under no circumstances should one believe they need to get clean before being washed by Jesus!

Finally, what you probably want to ask is "Is Homosexuality a Sin" This question has been asked here and here. Gene Robinson, the Episcopalian bishop of New Hampshire who left his wife for another man likes to argue Acts 10 - (Let no man declare unclean what God has declared clean) - that God is doing a new thing. I personally don't think God's word has changed on that matter - but I bring it up to say that Christians debate the matter.

In any case, sin is irrelevant. God's grace is what is important.

Of course you can be whatever you want and be a Christian. The question is whether or not God will leave you that way.

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I would only modify point 3 to be "whether or not you continue in a homosexual lifestyle is the only question." Becoming a Christian will probably not change your "what you 'are'". –  thursdaysgeek Feb 14 '12 at 0:11
"...sin is irrelevant." If so, then why did Christ have to die? I don't think sin is ever irrelevant. I totally agree with you that God's grace is sufficient to cover any sin (except the unpardonable sin, which is in a different category altogether), and I agree that God will not leave the sinner where he is, but move him towards Christ. But sanctification is 100% God, 100% man; unlike justification, which is 100% God. –  Adrian Keister Jul 22 '13 at 14:12
@AdrianKeister I read that more as "no sin is relevant in the face of grace." the whole message is that you don't have to "get clean" before you "get cleaned" –  wax eagle Jul 22 '13 at 17:54
@wax eagle: Very good, I agree. I am just a bit leery of some pastors I could name (but won't), who focus on the monergism of justification to the exclusion of the synergism of sanctification. And of course, there are those who do the opposite. I believe that the heart of the gospel is the former, and I will defend that vigorously. However, as James tells us, the latter is also part and parcel of our salvation. The balanced middle road is the correct, biblical one, I deem. –  Adrian Keister Jul 22 '13 at 17:58
This only really answers if you can be a homosexual and become a christian. That's not what is asked. –  Lennart Regebro Oct 14 '13 at 8:51

The Apostle Paul seems to address this particular question quite specifically:


Here, homosexuality is mentioned along with quite a few other things like adulterers, thieves, and even greedy people.

So, it seems that no matter what anyone has ever been or done, that person can still be washed, sanctified, and justified (declared righteous) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This person will become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), be indwelt by the very Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 3:16), and become a child of God (John 1:12-13).

As a child of God whose body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, God calls us to live a holy life. Such a life should be free from all of the things Paul mentions. Thus the thief should steal no more, the drunkard should become sober, the adulterer should be faithful to his wife, the greedy person should become a generous giver, and the sexually immoral should live in purity.

So, from one perspective (but not all) that takes a literal reading of Scripture, anyone can become a Christian--a mass murderer, a rapist, a thief, a greedy person, an adulterer, or someone who practices homosexuality. Once a person has come to Christ, though, God desires them to live a holy life and indicates that certain things should no longer be practiced.

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Man is composed of flesh, soul, and spirit. The spirit preserves and fashions the temple of flesh. Between these two is the soul. When the soul follows the spirit, is raised up by it, but sometimes it sympathizes with the flesh, and falls into carnal lusts.


Those then, as many as they be, who have not that which saves and forms us into eternal life, shall be called, "flesh and blood" for they do not have the Spirit of God in themselves. Men of this type are spoken of by the Lord as "dead".

But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matt 8:22 NIV)

He calls them dead because they have not the Spirit that quickens a man.




For as the Lord has testified:


So "the flesh is weak," but also "the spirit is willing." For the spirit is capable of working out its own suggestions.

Therefore, if anyone were to mix the ready inclination of the Spirit, to be as it were, a stimulus to the infirmity of the flesh, it inevitably follows that what is strong will prevail over the weak, so that the weakness of the flesh will be absorbed by the strength of the Spirit; and that the man in whom this takes place cannot in that case be carnal, but Spiritual, because of the fellowship of the Spirit.


The flesh, therefore, when destitute of the Spirit of God, is dead, not having life, and cannot possess the kingdom of God: as it is irrational blood, like water poured out upon the ground.

As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. (1 Cor 15:48 NIV)

In the case of Martyrs the rational blood is preserved by God for the avenging of those that shed it.



And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. (1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV)




...He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5 NIV)

The apostle exhorts us through faith and chaste conversation to preserve the Spirit of God.


Unless having become non-participators of the Divine Spirit, we lose the kingdom of heaven.


And he exclaims:


Speaking strictly, we would say that the flesh does not inherit, but is inherited; as also the Lord declares:


As if in the future kingdom, the earth, from where exists the substance of our flesh, is to be possessed by inheritance. This is the reason for His wishing the temple (the flesh) to be clean, that the Spirit of God may take delight therein, as a bridegroom with a bride. As, therefore in old Jewish tradition, the bride cannot be said to wed, but to be wedded, when the bridegroom comes and takes her, so also the flesh cannot by itself possess the kingdom of God by inheritance; but it can be taken for an inheritance into the kingdom of God. For a living person inherits the goods of the deceased; and it is one thing to inherit, another to be inherited. The former rules, and exercises power over, and orders the things inherited at his will; but the latter things are in a state of subjection, are under order, and are ruled over by him who has obtained the inheritance.


So no. A homosexual sympathizes and is in communion with the flesh, and therefore does not have the Spirit. For the flesh is not buried with Jesus. Nor are the sins covered.


So if the imperishable never inherits the perishable. The perishable remains perishable and perishes.

Then death and the grave were thrown into the second death. (Revelation 20:14 De-Analogized)

[1] Chapter IX

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3 things. 1. This is a lot of text to quote with no original wording. Please exposit on why this is relevant. Don't make me read 4 giant paragraphs that may or may not be relevant. Treat this like a research paper and use shorter quotations with more text about the point you're trying to make. 2. Please link to your source. 3. If you're going to qoute, please use the quotation syntax in markdown >. –  wax eagle Feb 10 '14 at 13:11
The point is made by the full quotation and adequately explains why a homosexual can not be a Christian. I do not know how to use the quotation syntax. –  Only he is good. Feb 10 '14 at 13:21
Take a look at Affable's answer here. He explains in his own words his answer, and then peppers in quotations to support his answer. That's how answers should look, dumping a block of text and telling the reader "you figure it out" isn't helpful. I didn't even know your thesis until you told me in a comment. Introduction with a thesis, body, conclusion with a strong summation of your point. That's good research writing. –  wax eagle Feb 10 '14 at 13:25
How to do the quoting syntax? –  Only he is good. Feb 10 '14 at 13:26
Much better. Thanks –  wax eagle Feb 10 '14 at 15:11

As for just your header question, the answer is simple - no.
My answer to your next question will explain more detailed about it.

As for your next questions in the body (How do these groups handle the question of whether a person can be both a homosexual and also a Christian? & Are there any additional steps required?), I explain to you here:
All the christian should seek, is to be approved by the Father. And the approval we can get only by doing His will. (This is where I fully agree with you that all the christians should do what the Bible says to do, apply all the divine principles in their day-to-day life.) And the faith needs to be proven, as we can see from the last part of this verse: Genesis 17:1

When A′bram got to be ninety-nine years old, then Jehovah appeared to A′bram and said to him: “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and prove yourself faultless.


Abram was ninety-nine years old when the LORD appeared to him again and said, "I am God All-Powerful. If you obey me and always do right,

The word of God in the Bible clearly states that the homosexuality is detestable to God eyes, and that God therefore condemns homosexuality.
It's clearly explained in Richard's posted answer on another related question.

Being christian is not easy, specially as we are imperfect and being taunted and tempted by Satan the Devil day by day, as this wicked system of things draws closer to its conclusion. Now you may want to do some BIG changes in your life, as per to be approved and allowed into His new upcoming Kingdom in a restored paradise.
God is All-Powerful. Just pray for He give you the Holy Spirit to help you to dress up with the new personality. Be specific, ask. And you'll be heard. Pray from your whole heart, whole mind and whole soul full of faith and hope (not doubt). And remember, God is kind to patient, faithful and discreet servant. May God Bless You!

As for your last question Do these groups teach that it would be sinful to continue practicing after one became a Christian?, there are no fitting answer (As from my point of understanding). And that is because one cannot become a Christian until he\she completes certain requirements, stop being homosexual in this case.

I just genuinely want to help you. In any case I want you to have your own opinion and to decide for yourself, instead of accepting my or other people viewpoints and understandings (regardless of what the majority or the authority has to say).

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I'm afraid you have fallen into a common trap which AffableGeek correctly described. You are assuming that you have to fix everything in your life before you can become a Christian. This is not the case. You are also failing to address the question of whether "being a homosexual" is defined by actions or by orientation. Even the most conservative branch of Christianity should be aware that having a homosexual orientation is not a sin of itself, and failing to point that out gives an entirely false view of Christianity. –  DJClayworth Jul 23 '13 at 16:46
Different groups of Christians have different ways to accept themselves of being as such. While most of the "christians" do not even do what the Christ was doing or/and what Christ was telling to do. Only to attend the christian meetings does not make one to be the christian. Nor the reading and remembering every verse from the Bible. I'm not assuming, I am sure of what I'm talking. There is a group of Christian peoples doing just like that. And the question "How do these GROUPS handle the question..." is in harmony with my answer. The group I represent is not a part of this world. –  Gediminas Jeremiah Gudelis Jul 23 '13 at 18:23
Let he who is without sin... –  Wikis Jul 30 '13 at 10:12

protected by wax eagle Nov 4 '13 at 12:42


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