Independent educational reading about belief, conscience and coexistence

Religion and public life

Religious beliefs about sexual orientation

A guide to the varied teachings, policies and community practices found among Christian denominations, Jewish movements and other religious traditions.

People from varied backgrounds talking together outdoors

Different teachings.
Careful context.

About this collection

Belief and policy vary within traditions

Religious communities do not hold one universal position on homosexuality or bisexuality. Teachings may differ between religions, denominations, congregations and individual adherents, and policies can change over time.

This section organizes archived essays about doctrine, scriptural interpretation, leadership, membership, worship and relationships with LGBTQ+ people. It distinguishes official institutional policy from the views and lived practice of individual communities wherever possible.

The material is educational rather than pastoral or legal advice. Readers looking for a specific congregation's current position should also consult that community's own recent publications.

Section menu

Choose a path through the topic

Begin with definitions and broad trends, then move to teachings, denominational policies and community interaction.

Orientation

Introduction and future trends

Key terms, an overview of religious beliefs and context for understanding change.

Christianity

Christian teachings and beliefs

Contrasting approaches among evangelical, Roman Catholic, mainline and progressive Christian communities.

Institutional policy

Christian denominations

A denomination-by-denomination route into official policies and ongoing debates.

Judaism

Jewish movements

Educational context for Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and other Jewish approaches.

Across traditions

Other religions

Beliefs and policies among a wider range of religious communities.

Community life

Religious-community interactions

Theological questions, congregational practice and engagement with LGBTQ+ groups.

Focused viewpoint

Southern Baptist essay and discussion

An archived denominational perspective presented as one contribution, not a universal Christian position.

Sexual orientation and the Bible

Interpretive questions and the different conclusions readers draw from biblical texts.

Reading method

How to use these essays

A four-part framework helps separate formal teachings from individual experience and historical change.

Define the scope

Check whether an essay discusses doctrine, clergy policy, membership, marriage rites or personal belief.

Identify the level

Distinguish a global body, denomination, regional authority, congregation and individual adherent.

Note the date

Treat older reports as historical records, especially where institutions have revised their policies.

Compare carefully

Look for meaningful similarities and differences without assuming every community uses identical terms.

Related sections

Continue exploring

These internal resources provide broader religious, social and legal context for the subject.

Religious impact on sexual orientationThe wider menu for religion's influence on beliefs, policy and experience.
Religion and marriage equalityReligious arguments and institutional positions concerning same-sex marriage.
Marriage equalityBackground on marriage, law and religious freedom.
Human rightsEducational material about equal treatment, conscience and civil rights.
Sex and genderRelated religious and ethical questions involving sex and gender.
Religious freedomHow freedom of belief and equal treatment interact in public life.

Reader guide

Frequently asked questions

Do all members of a denomination share its official policy?

No. Formal policy describes an institution's stated position, while congregations, leaders and individual adherents may interpret or apply it differently.

Why do positions differ within Christianity?

Christian communities differ in scriptural interpretation, theology, authority structures, tradition and approaches to contemporary knowledge.

Are historical essays descriptions of current policy?

Not necessarily. A dated essay can document an earlier stage of debate. Verify current policy through recent institutional material.

Does this page decide which religious interpretation is correct?

No. Religious Tolerance describes and compares positions without requiring readers to adopt a particular theological conclusion.

How should older terminology be understood?

Some archived titles reflect language used when an essay was created. Current explanatory prose favors clear, respectful terms while preserving the historical subject.

Where can I report an error?

Use the contact page and include the filename, the passage at issue and reliable supporting information.