Homosexuality

by Archpriest Joseph F Purpura

Taken from his book: Moral and Ethical Issues: Confronting Orthodox Youth Across North America

by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

The stories of two prominent same-sex couples in the Scriptures provide gay men and lesbians with Biblical models of committed love in stressful circumstances.

Ruth and Naomi

by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Foundations - God Blesses the "Barren Ones"

by Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Reading the Bible with "New Eyes"

Most modern gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people are either afraid of the Bible or unfamiliar with its content, thinking that the the Bible has only bad news for them. While it is true that the Bible was written in the context of patriarchal, heterosexist cultures, the message and story of God's unconditional love in Christ can also be the "power of salvation" for our GLBT community.

By Rev. Mona West, Ph. D.

by Rev. Elder Don Eastman
©Copyright 1990 Los AngelesUniversal Fellowship Press

by Rev. Elder Don Eastman
©Copyright 1990 Los AngelesUniversal Fellowship Press

“Whosoever”
The most beautiful word in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is "whosoever."  All of God's promises are intended for every human being. This includes gay men and lesbians. How tragic it is that the Christian Church has excluded and persecuted people who are homosexual!

By Rev. Mona West, Ph.D.

A sacrament is an act that mediates the grace and mystery of God.  Coming out is a sacrament for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) people of faith because it sets us on a lifelong path of manifesting God’s grace in our lives.  Coming out is crucial to our spiritual development because it starts us on a journey of integrating our GLBT identity into our whole life.  Or to say it another way: embracing our GLBT identity is an invitation to go deeper in our spiritual journey.

By Rev. Mona West, Ph.D.

Lesbians and gay men face discrimination because of societal attitudes. Unfortunately, these attitudes are often taught by churches and, sadly, the Bible is frequently used as a weapon to “bash” lesbians and gays. It is important to remember that such hurtful things are not a reflection of Christ, or the way God wants the church to be, or even what the Bible really says.

As members of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), representing more than 5 million Orthodox Christians in the United States, Canada and Mexico, we are deeply concerned about recent developments regarding “same sex unions.”