Sexist? Homophobic Response

Question: One of the charges frequently made against followers of Christ is that the church is sexist and homophobic.  While there are some who this may be true off, how would you respond to the charge that the Bible teaches this?




Response: The assertion that Christian doctrine or Christians in general are either sexist or homophobic is based in a lack of detailed study of scripture. There are indeed isolated statements and actions made within scripture that if taken out of their proper context can be used to propogate such claims. This is true however of everything. With scripture quoted out of context one can make claims does not even exist. With a verse from Psalms one can cry "There is no God." Yet if the whole verse is read Psalms 14:1 "The fool says in his heart 'there is no God'" then the message becomes not a critque on God's existance but an affirmation as only the foolish believe otherwise. Thus inaccurate study of the Bible will lead to such false messages as the one that has created the stereotype of Sexist or Homophobic Christians.


Another issue is the habit people make of observing the people of a cause and passing judgement on the cause itself. While observing the character of Christians should be a window into the true values of Christianity, the few people we encounter daily out of the 6 billion worldwide cannot be used to create a full picture of the Cause behind which they stand. This is to say that finding a homophobic or sexist Christian does not make Christianity homophobic or sexist. Quite the opposite, it proves only that the individual or individuals are not adhering to their proclaimed faith and are misrepresenting Christianity as a whole.


Returning to scripture, I find it difficult to understand those who label the church as either sexist or homophobic. It is the duty of the church to be like Christ and accept everyone as they are in order to transform them into followers of Christ. The Gospel does not see gender nor sexual orientation in regards to salvation and it is the duty of believers to carry this out as well and bring the message to all corners of the world, without bias and without discrimination. After the message takes heart then there are rules within scripture that deal with the roles of the Sexes and Homosexuality.


In fact if Scripture is taken seriously, Women are actually treated in a much more pleasing fashion than in other belief systems. Again people can pick examples of the Mistreatment of women in the Bible, but these examples are not included to be followed but to be learned from to teach a point in God's plan of redemption. Likewise Homosexuality is not addressed to be a way of discrimination or dehumanizing efforts. Rather it is addressed to again show the power of God's love and ability to redeem.


In closing I realize people will most likely refuse to change their view on the Church and Christianity, it is easy to resort to Ad Homin and like tactics to tear down an opposing belief. This does not take away from the truth of the matter however, the truth that Christ's message is one of redemption and salvation for ALL who believe in Him and in His sight we are all equal, equally condemned by sin and equally saved by the grace given by His mercy.