Would Jesus be LGBTQ-affirming?

Elisa (No)

While Jesus was a “friend of sinners,” He also led them to repentance. He would not support the modern-day “Pride” movement, as the Bible speaks staunchly against pride and is not silent on the topic of sexuality either. The LGBTQ “pride” movement conflicts with the biblical view of marriage and sexuality, making false and inaccurate claims about what Jesus taught on this topic. 

Progressive Christianity (which isn't biblical/historic Christianity) emphasizes grace without repentance from sin. Progressives have redefined Jesus's command to 'love one another' to mean 'agree and affirm me and my sin.' They also believe they define what sin is, thus putting themselves in God’s place. However, an accurate and honest reading of the Bible shows that God, through Scripture (“the Law”), defines right and wrong, what's sin and what's not. Scripture teaches that everything from lying to murder to idol-worship to sexual immorality of all kinds is wrong, including homosexual activity. It likewise does not affirm the idea that anyone can change their gender or be anything other than male or female. Jesus affirmed all of what Scripture taught, even saying He came to fulfill and not abolish the Law. Jesus does not contradict anything the Bible teaches, and the Bible is clear. 

While Jesus would show compassion to LGBTQ people, He would not condone their sins, which lead them away from God. Rather, He'd call them out. Jesus was despised for His teaching, which is why he warned His disciples that anyone who follows Him will be hated, for they 'hated me first.' This is evident today as Christians are often slandered as bigots.

The Bible also says “love rejoices with the truth” and that sin leads to death. Therefore, the most loving thing Christians can do is agree with the God, who calls Himself love, and “speak the truth in love.” Progressives try to separate love from truth, but Scripture shows that’s impossible. Because Jesus loves all people, He would likely enter the false temples promoting such views and take out His whip to defend the truth as He, who is God, defines it to be. He calls them out of their sins—even those that are celebrated—so they might repent and be saved. 

Vic (Yes)

Yes—Jesus, a man able to forgive and accept the people who brutally murdered him, would have no problem with the LGBTQ community, whether he agreed with it personally or not. Jesus’ whole message, “the golden rule” (Matthew 7:12), implores readers to treat others as one would like to be treated, extending the same tolerance and respect one would wish to be shown to others, irrespective of their sexual or gender identity. This is the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated, and it fully supports the idea of affirming and accepting people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Whether an ally or a proud member of the LGBTQ community, Jesus’ life and teachings overlap with those of the queer community. In an alternative reality, they would’ve surely empowered each others’ message as both call for acceptance and respect from a dominant power ruthless towards anyone different from them. In Jesus’ early days, his work was to alleviate the persecution of Jews by an oppressive Roman regime; essentially demanding the equality and freedom from discrimination that LGBTQ people also continue to fight for. 

Likewise, scripture itself even affirms LGBTQ people in their varying sexual and gender identities. Psalm 139:13-14 says we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made.' So those who believe in God claim he does not make mistakes, meaning LGBTQ identities are just as he intended them to be. A true Christian would be inclusive, knowing that Jesus/God 'so loved the world,' which includes LGBTQ people.

Finally, it’s hard to overlook a queer reading of Jesus and his disciples. Even though none of the intimacy between Jesus and his disciples was sexual, they were emotionally and physically intimate with one another in a way that could be used as a precursor to a queer relationship. It is arguable that Jesus, with his radical inclusiveness and the deep emotional connections he displayed, especially with his disciples (John 13-21), is the same as the iconic and outspoken LGBTQ advocates of today.