Religion & Same-sex Relationships (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note
Exam code: C120
Attitudes to same-sex relationships
Attitudes towards homosexuality and same-sex relationships in the UK have changed greatly over the last 50 years
In the past, romantic relationships were understood as being between a man and a woman, but society has become more open and accepting of same-sex relationships
Key legal changes include:
1967: Sex between two men over the age of 21 and “in private” was decriminalised (lesbian relationships had never been illegal)
2002: Same-sex couples were given equal rights to adopt children
2004: The Civil Partnership Act gave same-sex couples the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples
2007: Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation was made illegal
2013: The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act legalised same-sex marriage in England and Wales (in Scotland, this followed in 2014)
Medical research has suggested that homosexuality may be influenced by genetic and hormonal factors during development
This has helped many people see same-sex attraction as a natural part of human diversity rather than a moral choice
Social attitudes have also shifted. The growing openness of gay public figures and the work of organisations such as Stonewall have encouraged greater equality and understanding
Religious attitudes have changed more slowly
Before 1967, homosexual acts were not only seen by many Christians as sinful but were also illegal
The Gay Liberation Movement of the 1970s and the founding of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) began to challenge these views by promoting greater inclusion for gay Christians and encouraging churches to reconsider traditional teachings
While UK law now recognises both civil partnerships and same-sex marriages, Christian churches are not required to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies
Views within and between religious groups remain divided, with some supporting full inclusion and others maintaining traditional teachings about marriage being between a man and a woman
Christian views of same-sex relationships
There are wide divisions within Christianity about homosexuality and same-sex relationships
Some Christians believe same-sex relationships are sinful, while others think loving, faithful relationships between two people should be accepted and blessed by the Church
Christian arguments supporting same-sex relationships
Christians are taught that all humans are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), meaning every person deserves love and respect for who they are
Homosexuality is part of the natural diversity of God’s creation
Gay people are following the nature God gave them and should not be condemned for it
Some Christians believe that Biblical teachings about homosexuality should be understood in their historical context
Ancient laws that once supported practices such as slavery or the death penalty no longer apply to modern society
Jesus taught “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31) and did not condemn homosexuality
He spent time with those who were excluded or judged by others
Saint Paul’s comments on homosexuality may have referred to male prostitution or abusive relationships rather than loving, equal partnerships
Quakers teach that where there is genuine love and commitment, God is present regardless of gender
“Where there is a genuine tenderness, an openness to responsibility, and the seed of commitment, God is surely not shut out.” (Towards a Quaker View of Sex, 1963)
Christian arguments opposing same-sex relationships
In Genesis, God created male and female to complement each other and to reproduce
“Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28)
The book of Leviticus forbids homosexual acts
“If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.” (Leviticus 20:13)
Saint Paul taught that homosexual acts are contrary to God’s design
“Those practising homosexuality… will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:8–10)
The natural order, reflected in the ability to procreate, shows that God’s purpose for sexual relationships is fulfilled in male–female unions
Most traditional churches teach that sex should only take place within marriage between one man and one woman
Roman Catholic teaching
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual orientation is not sinful in itself, but homosexual acts are morally wrong because they go against Natural Law
According to Natural Law, as taught by Thomas Aquinas, sex has two God-given purposes
Unitive, to express love
Procreative, to create life
Acts that separate these purposes are seen as sinful, including homosexual acts, which cannot be procreative
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) states:
“This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial.”
The Church prohibits same-sex marriage because such unions cannot fulfil God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply”
In 2010, Pope Francis wrote:
“A marriage made up of a man and a woman is not the same as the union of two people of the same sex. To distinguish is not to discriminate but to respect differences.”
Although the Church welcomes homosexual people as members, it expects them to live a celibate life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: “Homosexual people are called to chastity”
Anglican and Protestant views
The Church of England teaches that marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman, and therefore does not currently allow same-sex marriages in its churches
In 2019, the House of Bishops stated:
“For Christians, marriage - the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with vows - remains the proper context for sexual activity.”
However, many Anglicans believe homosexual people should be treated equally and with compassion
Some clergy perform blessings for same-sex couples, even though this is not official policy
The Scottish Episcopal Church voted in 2017 to allow same-sex marriages in church
The United Reformed Church also permits same-sex marriages in its churches
Quaker views
Quakers are among the most accepting Christian groups towards same-sex relationships
They believe that love, faithfulness and commitment matter more than gender
They are willing to conduct same-sex services, but a same-sex couple will still need a civil (legal) ceremony as well in order to be legally married in the UK
Christian practice towards homosexuality
Most Christian churches agree that everyone should be treated with respect and compassion
Many follow the principle “love the sinner, hate the sin”, meaning they show kindness to homosexual people but do not accept homosexual acts
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of homosexual people
“They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. Homosexual people are called to chastity.”
Some churches encourage celibacy, while others fully welcome same-sex couples into church life, including in leadership roles
Because of the diversity of opinion across denominations, few Christian groups issue definitive statements, recognising that this remains a sensitive and divisive issue within the global Church
Muslim views of same-sex relationships
Traditional Muslim teachings about same-sex relationships
Islam teaches that sexual activity should only take place within marriage, which must be between a man and a woman
One of the main purposes of sex in Islam is procreation, to have children and continue the human family
As this cannot happen in a same-sex relationship, such acts are considered to go against Allah’s plan for creation
Homosexual acts are viewed as immoral and sinful and called haram (forbidden)
Some Muslim-majority countries that follow Shari’ah law treat homosexuality as a crime, sometimes punished as severely as adultery
Punishments may include imprisonment or even death
The Qur’an refers to the story of the Prophet Lot (Lut), whose people were punished for sexual immorality, including homosexual acts
“[Lot] said to his people, ‘How can you practise this outrage? No other people has done so before. You lust after men rather than women! You transgress all bounds!’” (Qur’an, 7:80–81)
This story appears in several places in the Qur’an (for example, Surah 26:165–166) to warn against disobeying Allah’s design for human relationships
The Hadith also condemns homosexual acts. One Hadith records Muhammad (pbuh) as saying:
“Kill the one who does it and the one to whom it is done.” (Hadith — Abu Dawud)
However, most Muslims believe that experiencing same-sex attraction is not sinful and only acting upon it would be judged by Allah
Those who remain chaste and faithful to Allah’s commands will not be punished
Divergent Muslim views
Muslims do not all share the same opinion on homosexuality, and attitudes often vary depending on cultural background and where they live
In many Muslim countries that follow Shari’ah law, homosexual acts are forbidden and can lead to severe punishments, sometimes including the death penalty
Most Muslims believe that marriage is sacred and that it should remain a union between one man and one woman
When same-sex marriage became legal in the UK, the Muslim Council of Britain opposed the change, arguing that civil partnerships already gave same-sex couples equal legal rights and that redefining marriage was unnecessary
However, some Muslims hold more tolerant or compassionate views
A few believe that being homosexual is part of natural human diversity and should not lead to discrimination
They focus on justice, kindness and mutual respect as key Islamic values and say that this should extend to tolerance of homosexuality
Some say that if marriage provides companionship, love and stability, same-sex couples should be supported in their commitment, even if their relationship cannot be religiously recognised
Others in the UK argue that, as Muslims are a minority themselves, they should stand against prejudice faced by other minority groups, including the LGBTQ+ community
Worked Example
What is meant by homosexuality?
[2 marks]
Answer:
Homosexuality is sexual attraction to, or sexual relationships with, people of the same sex. For example, a man who is romantically and sexually attracted to men.
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