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The Coptic Orthodox Church

and homosexuality

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About 94% of the population of Egypt are Muslim. The largest minority religious group are Coptic Christians - members of The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt. The Copts are heavily persecuted. Even worse off are the Coptic Christians who are also gay or lesbian.

Fr. M. Mikhail of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Seven Hills OH has written an essay on his church's beliefs concerning homosexuality. Some of his points are listed below:

About homosexuality itself:

	No society in history has accepted homosexuality as normal.
	Gays and lesbians have never been comfortable about revealing their sexual orientation.
	Nobody is born homosexual.
	A homosexual orientation can be controlled.
	One's genes do not determine their sexual "preference."
	Some people become homosexual because of a hostile parent.
	Others become homosexual by thinking positively about gay/lesbian activity, and experimenting with it.

The church and homosexuality:

	Homosexuality is a sin, according to the Bible, Coptic tradition and church creed.
	It is condemned by God.
	Sex is only proper between a man and woman who are married to each other.
	Leviticus 18:22: This passage condemns homosexuality.
	Leviticus 20:13: This verse goes further and condemns them to death.
	Genesis 19:1-29: God destroyed Sodom because of homosexuality.
	Romans 1:24-28: Homosexuality is a depraved passion
	1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Homosexuals will not go to heaven.
	1 Timothy 1:9-10: Agrees.
	Jude 7: Sodom's sin was homosexuality; Homosexuals will undergo a "punishment of eternal fire." -- presumably eternally in Hell.
	St. Athanasius stated that homosexual behavior abolish the purpose of the creation of the world, and of Christ's mission.
	Homosexuals will not repent of their sins.
	Active homosexuals are not saved.
	The "Gay church" is a shame to Christianity.
	Church tradition states that homosexual acts "are always objectively grave evil and intrinsically disordered...Homosexuality was regarded as a sin against nature and as such abhorrent."
	Within marriage, the husband is the leader and head; the wife must "demand, encourage and enable" her husband's leadership. This balance of power cannot work in a homosexual partnership.
	Homosexuals are "foolish, faithless, heartless and ruthless."

How homosexuals can become heterosexual:

	Homosexuality is a learned behavior and thus can be changed.
	Three preconditions to becoming heterosexual again are: to have a strong desire to become straight, to seek and accept God's power and to accept support from others.
	Studying the Bible helps; in particular, dwell on the anti-gay verses.
	Study homosexuality in history.
	Learn why God created a man and women.
	Gain self control and self respect.
	Etc.

Conclusion:

"Homosexuality is a sin, and a homosexual who wants to recover should see it as such and repent."

Related essays:

Fr. Mikhail's essay describes the conventional conservative Christian belief system about homosexuality. Although he is Eastern Orthodox, the beliefs of Southern Baptists and other conservative Protestants differ little.

We have a number of essays which describe homosexuality from all sides in (we think) a balanced manner:

	An essay on the nature of sexual orientation
	An essay on homosexuality in the Bible
	The effectiveness and safety of reparative therapy

Reference:

Fr. M. Mikhail, "The Coptic Orthodox Church's view on homosexuality," at: http://pharos.bu.edu/cn/articles/OnHomosexuality.txt

The Coptic Orthodox Church

and homosexuality

Related essays:

Reference:

Go to the previous page, or return to the "homosexuality and religion" menu, or choose: