One of my readers asked me to speak to the issue of homosexuality and the Orthodox Church. This is one of those times that I am simply going to quote a statement by the bishops of the Orthodox Church in America:
Convinced of these God-revealed truths, we offer the following affirmations and admonitions for the guidance of the faithful:
Homosexuality is to be approached as the result of humanity’s rebellion against God, and so against its own nature and well-being. It is not to be taken as a way of living and acting for men and women made in God’s image and likeness.
Men and women with homosexual feelings and emotions are to be treated with the understanding, acceptance, love, justice and mercy due to all human beings.
People with homosexual tendencies are to be helped to admit these feelings to themselves and to others who will not reject or harm them. They are to seek assistance in discovering the specific causes of their homosexual orientation, and to work toward overcoming its harmful effects in their lives.
Persons struggling with homosexuality who accept the Orthodox faith and strive to fulfill the Orthodox way of life may be communicants of the Church with everyone else who believes and struggles. Those instructed and counselled in Orthodox Christian doctrine and ascetical life who still want to justify their behavior may not participate in the Church’s sacramental mysteries, since to do so would not help, but harm them.
Assistance is to be given to those who deal with persons of homosexual orientation in order to help them with their thoughts, feelings and actions in regard to homosexuality. Such assistance is especially necessary for parents, relatives and friends of persons with homosexual tendencies and feelings. It is certainly necessary for pastors and church workers.
I agree with the above statement. Do notice the line that says, “Persons struggling with homosexuality who accept the Orthodox faith and strive to fulfill the Orthodox way of life may be communicants of the Church with everyone else who believes and struggles.” The issue is whether any person accepts the Orthodox faith and strives to fulfill the Orthodox way. It is common for OCA priests to tell their people that if they do not participate in the life of the Church, to include monthly confession, then they may not participate in the Body and Blood of Christ. Being a communicant is dependent on accepting the Orthodox faith and striving to fulfill the Orthodox way. That is common for every Orthodox member.
I never saw that statement before Father. Does that mean the Greek, Russian and Antiochian churches don’t have a statement?
There are various statements out there, including a SCOBA statement from before the Episcopal Assembly. I simply picked one that was brief and straightforward, but also spoke in a caring way.
A problem not directly related to the subject at hand:
Once again, a statement from the OCA refers to fallen humanity as being “in rebellion” against God. This is an Augustinian/Anselmian/Calvinist, rather than Orthodox, understanding of the fall and the human condition subsequent to it.
How would you better the wording? I ask out of real interest.
“out of communion with” or “separated from ” God. See my comment on the subsequent post.
I understand and adhere to the viewpoint of the “church” in regards to persons with same sex attraction. What I don’t understand is why it seems that for the most part a person with this passion who does adhere to the church’s teachings is left alone without any real support. There should be some kind of support system out there other than confession and your spiritual father. It makes one feel like they must go back into the closet and start smelling like mothballs again. You can’t really speak of it in the parish etc. How does the church expect gays and lesbians to live the life of chastity without any real help. This Don’t ask Don’t Tell approach really isn’t working. Every time there is a wedding or a baptism or anything family centered, its like another reminder that to follow Christ I have to give any hope of a family or any relationship for the rest of my life. I must struggle without anybody to talk with that understands what I am going through.
See my blog post for 13 July 2011.