Homophobia isn’t Christian - some thoughts

Every now and then, facing some particularly virulent piece of Christian homophobia (and, though I am using Christian primarily throughout this piece because in the west it is the most relevant. much the same can be said about other faiths), we get some heartening members of that religion telling us that this is a distortion of the true meaning of the faith.

And I think they’re largely right, especially if considering moral principles. basic common sense (which isn’t always a happy bed fellow with religion, it has to be said) says that acceptance, love, kindness are moral principles while hatred, condemnation and bigotry are not.

And it is heartening. It is heartening to have the hatred countered. It is heartening to hear the acceptance. It is heartening to hear allies speak. It is heartening to have the hatred countered, repudiated and condemned. It is especially heartening when members of the faith oppose hatred from religious leaders and declare “you don’t speak for me” or “you’re doing it wrong!.” This can never be stressed enough, it is heartening to know those religious experts and leaders do not speak for all their congregants, that the untold millions they presume to represent do not share their hate. That’s not just heartening, it’s a damned relief to have that countered.

However, while these expressions of support are positive and wonderful – and the repudiations of such hatred is always to be welcomed – I think it misses one thing that, though painful and difficult, needs to be said.

Homophobia IS Christian.

I say this not based on dogma or the Bible or theology – none of which are matters that concern me as a non-Christian – but based on the nature of modern (and historical, for that matter) Christianity.

We can say homophobia isn’t Christian for various reasons – but in the end there are a huge number of Christians out there who didn’t get the memo. The biggest and most powerful Christian churches are vehemently homophobia. The richest, the most numerous and the most widespread Christian churches are unwaveringly homophobic and massive advocates for homophobia. The anti-gay organisations, the “family” organisations that fight our rights most vehemently, with the most resources and the most hatred are all religious organisations. The poisonous rhetoric we hear spouted against gays, fanning the flames of hatred and violence – inevitably comes from a religious mouth.

I don’t think it is even remotely an exaggeration to say that religion is one the biggest – if not the biggest – force of homophobia today. I don’t think I am wrong to say that if organised religion blinked off the planet then gay rights would surge forwards. I don’t think it’s wrong to say that organised religion is probably our biggest, fiercest, most determined and most hateful enemy today.

More, religion is constantly used as a defence for homophobia. Spouting hate speech? Well, it’s Biblical! How dare you oppress their religion! Want to criminalise homosexuality – even execute us? It’s the word of god! How dare you call them bigots? Want to have gays sacked from our jobs, evicted from our homes or kicked out of shops at the whims of homophobic bosses, landlords and service providers? How dare you protest – it’s their religious RIGHT! It’s the ultimate defence – homophobia happens then the Bibles are waved screaming that THEY are the oppressed ones for not being free to attack us.

Ultimately, we have to recognise that Christianity has a homophobia problem. That doesn’t mean all, or even most, Christians are homophobes nor does it mean all homophobes are Christian (or even religious for that matter), but while virtually all the major churches are homophobic (and even that ‘virtually’ is in doubt) – virulently so – and all the major homophobic groups are religious then there is definitely a homophobia problem.

It’s the elephant in the room – and one we’re reluctant to address. We all tip-toe round saying that the main source of homophobia is the pulpit, that the most vehement haters are those that quote the word of god and wave holy books and holy symbols. But it needs to be acknowledged – for the sake of the Church as well- those Christians who do not think their deity is a being of bigotry – and for GBLT people who cannot rest easy while such a massive force is determined to ruin us.

The problem has to be acknowledged – because if it isn’t, if we continue to gloss over it, if we continue to pretend that the homophobic Christians are fringe or extremist or even aberrations, then the problem will never be addressed or healed.