Since Jeffery Driscoll wrote these articles on the perspectives of various on sexual diversity, his research has become even more relevant. These religions have been challenged by widespread public acceptance of marriage as a right of same sex couples, a right recognized first in the courts, and then by Canada's federal and provincial governments. As the links below show, attitudes range from welcoming in Unitarian churches, and in some United Churches, to homophobic and condemning in the institutionalised Roman Catholic church. Jeffery's second article explores the treatment of homosexuality in the Christian bible, and provides links for further study.

All links updated by Leslie Bella, THE Editor, July 2005 

The Search for Spirituality

by Jeffery Driscoll, July 29; 2002.

To many, life seems empty without spirituality. What if suddenly you were forced to abandon your religion and beliefs in order to accept your own sexuality? Sadly, many Lesbian, bisexual and gay people have to do just that. This is the result of prevailing heterosexist attitudes in the religion of their upbringing. Additionally, heterosexist policies in religion have often resulted in the loss of many fundamental freedoms to LBGT, and heterosexist opinions of church leaders have often made he fight for equal rights by LBGT and their supporters difficult.

Does this mean, LBGT have to abandon their religious beliefs in order to be true to themselves? There is no simple answer, as each of the worlds religions, and in many cases different subsets of each religion, view LBGT individuals in different lights. Nonetheless being a religious gay, lesbian, or bisexual is not an oxymoron.

Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism have subsections of each religion with wildly contrasting opinions, from outright homophobia to complete acceptance of homosexual relationships, homosexual members and clergy.

Traditional Native American Groups, Neo-pagan Groups, The Unitarian Universalist Association , Theosophy and the New Age religions show no sign of heterosexism (although Theosophy often suggests asexuality is the idealized state).

Zoroastrianism, Islam, Scientology and the Baha'i World faith religions are blatantly heterosexist in their policies and belief systems. That said, a number of followers from each of these religions have broken off from their churches, to establish their own LBGT support groups and places of worship.

In almost all cases where religions accept LBGT, with the exception perhaps of Buddhism, acceptance of homosexuality has been gradual, paralleling the changing perceptions of society as a whole. Examination of how this acceptance has come about may prove useful for LBGT and their supporters who wish to perpetuate change in their respective religion.

The following links provide information on the official LGBT position of several organized churches.

Does the Bible condemn Homosexuality?

Jeffery Driscoll, August,5,2002

Member of the St. James Congregation of the United Church of Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland 

Fundamentalist Christian groups who oppose homosexuality in any form, even in the context of a monogamous loving relationship, often use biblical quotes as a means of justification. Considering that the bible has been used in support of both sexism and racism, it is difficult to accept these arguments. An in-depth examination of passages mentioned in the bible regarding homosexuality is called for. However a number of possible interpretations of biblical passages and the number of different translations are also possible. Hence this discussion is far from all-encompassing and the links at the bottom of this page should be useful.

The wildly contradictory interpretations of the bible in its many translations make it difficult to develop  opinions of  how Christians should view homosexuality. However, it is quite clear that if you are LBGT, there are many denominations of Christianity which will accept you, and many groups of believers in denominations which oppose homosexuality will embrace you.

I personally view the bible as the product of the beliefs and prejudices of its authors, as well as the word of God. That being said, from my perspective, as a Christian should I see the words of Christ as the ultimate authority? Nowhere in the bible does Christ  mention homosexuality, leading many scholars to believe it simply was not an issue for him. Additionally, many scholars, such as Episcopal priest, Dr. Tom Horner, believes there are places in the bible which suggest Jesus would have accepted homosexuality. I consider declarations that Jesus loves all who believe, affirmation that Jesus loves all mankind and women-kind including LBGT, inspiring. I find the following quote by Jesus particularly inspiring: 

The Heterosexism Enquirer
2005
www.mun.ca/the