sexuality
3 reasons conservative Christians will lose the transgender debate
By Jonathan Merritt — May 14, 2016
Conservative Christians are repeating the same mistakes they once made in the fight over LGBT rights and marriage. As a result, they are doomed to lose gender debates.
Methodist General Conference to discuss LGBT issues — again
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 6, 2016
(RNS) More than 100 petitions to the United Methodist Church General Conference have to do with human sexuality. And some are saying "it's time" for a change.
Christian author Jen Hatmaker takes stand for LGBT inclusion
By Jonathan Merritt — April 25, 2016
The bestselling author, HGTV star, and wife of an evangelical pastor gets bold about accepting LGBT persons on Facebook.
Christian therapists push back against Tennessee counseling bill
By Jonathan Merritt — April 14, 2016
A Tennessee bill would allow mental health providers to refuse to treat patients based on their religious convictions. But Christian counselors say the bill is discriminatory and unnecessary.
From polygamy to incest, confronting the Old Testament’s strange sexual standards
By Jonathan Merritt — April 8, 2016
Some of the Bible's passages are deeply troubling, and despite the wishful thinking of some Christians, are difficult to reason away.
Carl Lentz on how Hillsong Church is becoming ‘gay welcoming’ without compromising their convictions
By Jonathan Merritt — August 10, 2015
Hillsong Church says they are a "gay welcoming" congregation, even though they are not gay affirming. Hillsong pastor Carl Lents explains how they are attempting to think through and navigate this difficult issue.
Add study of sexuality, ethics at U.S. seminaries (COMMENTARY)
By A. James Rudin — June 26, 2015
(RNS) Future clergy need to learn what contemporary physical, social, historical, psychological, literary, legal, biological, and racial forces say about human sexuality -- not just what their religion preaches.
‘The New Black’ opens new dialogue about LGBT and religion in black community
By Kimberly Winston — May 15, 2015
(RNS) A 2013 documentary is getting new life as a tool to open a dialogue on the African-American church and LGBT rights at historically black colleges and universities.
Must Christianity change its sexual ethics? History may hold the key (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — April 8, 2015
(RNS) It’s commonplace to assume that society’s redefinition of marriage, gender and the purpose for sexuality will eventually persuade the church to follow along. But if we were to jump forward into the 22nd century, I wonder what we would see.
United Methodists settle complaint against bishop over same-sex wedding
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — January 7, 2015
(RNS) Retired Bishop Melvin Talbert, who served as the leader of United Methodists in San Francisco, ignored a request not to perform a same-sex ceremony in Alabama.
Are #Christian hashtags rallying the faithful or just luring trolls?
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 25, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Everyone on Twitter is learning that a hashtag cuts both ways -- it can be hijacked or lampooned by detractors, and it's a key way that online activists are pushing back against opposing messages or what some might even call hate speech.
Russell Moore, Rick Warren to join Vatican conference on marriage and family life
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — November 3, 2014
(RNS) Organizers say the new conference will show that while the Catholic hierarchy is split on how to address contemporary challenges to marriage and family life, the church can nonetheless seek common ground with religious leaders outside the Vatican.
Southern Baptists, LGBT activists happily coexist, but for how long?
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 31, 2014
(RNS) For both sides, alleged friendships could pose a risk, as relationships could be perceived as acceptance.
Idaho ministers sue to prevent gay weddings at for-profit wedding chapel
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 19, 2014
(RNS) Donald and Evelyn Knapp are ordained Pentecostal ministers who say they can't provide same-sex services at their for-profit wedding chapel because it's "something forbidden by their religious beliefs and ordination vows."
Hillsong’s Brian Houston defends handling of abuse case, sidesteps questions on gay marriage
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — October 17, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Hillsong founder Brian Houston said that the victim who came forward to him asked him not to tell the police about his father's sexual abuse. “I would’ve gone to the police,” he said, if he had known about abuse reporting laws.
