Homosexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Non-heterosexual sexuality and the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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All homosexual sexual activity is condemned as sinful by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in its law of chastity, and the church teaches that God does not approve of same-sex marriage.[1][2] Adherents who participate in same-sex sexual behavior may face church discipline. Members of the church who experience homosexual attractions, including those who self-identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual remain in good standing in the church if they abstain from same-sex marriage and any homosexual sexual activity or sexual relationships outside an opposite-sex marriage.[3]: 116 [4][5] However, all people, including those in same-sex relationships and marriages, are permitted to attend the weekly Sunday meetings.[6]
In order to receive church ordinances such as baptism,[7] and to enter church temples, adherents are required to practice sexual abstinence outside a legal marriage between one man and one woman.[8][9] Additionally, in the church's plan of salvation noncelibate gay and lesbian individuals will not be allowed in the top tier of heaven to receive exaltation unless they repent during mortality, and a heterosexual marriage is a requirement for exaltation.[10][11] The church's policies and treatment of LGBT people has long been a source of controversy both within and outside the church.[12][13][14] They have also been a significant cause of disagreement and disaffection by members.[15][16][17]
The LDS Church has campaigned against government recognition of same-sex marriage, and the topic of same-sex marriage has been one of the church's foremost public concerns since 1993.[3]: 1 It has also supported legislation protecting members of the LGBT community against discrimination in employment, that also exempt religious institutions from honoring these protections.[18] Penalties from church leaders are stiffer for same-sex sexual sins than for heterosexual ones in matters of general church discipline, missionary requirements, and code of conduct enforcement at church-run universities.[19]
The church's statements and actions throughout its history have overwhelmingly focused on male homosexuality, and only rarely on female homosexuality (lesbianism) or bisexuality.[3]: 20 Church leaders previously taught that homosexuality was a curable condition.[20][21] They counseled members that they could and should change their attractions,[22]: 3–4 and provided therapy and programs with that goal.[23]: 13–19 [24]: 377–379 From 1976 until 1989 the church handbook of policies called for church discipline for members attracted to the same sex, punishing merely being homosexual with sanctions similar to those for acts of adultery and child molestation.[3]: 16, 43 Even celibate gay people were subject to excommunication.[24]: 382, 422 [25]: 139 Church publications now state that "individuals do not choose to have such attractions", its church-run therapy services no longer provides sexual orientation change efforts, and the church has no official stance on the causes of homosexuality.[26][27][4] These current teachings and policies leave homosexual members with the option of potentially harmful attempts to change their sexual orientation,[28][29] entering a mixed-orientation opposite-sex marriage,[3]: 27 [30]: 108 or living a celibate lifestyle without any sexual expression.[31]: 11 [32]: 20–21