THE IMPACT OF HOMOSEXUALITY (SAME-SEX MARRIAGE) ON ANGLICAN UNITY (THE GAFCON POSITION)
TO GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT CALL 07064961036
ABSTRACT
This
study is based on The Impact of Homosexuality (Same-sex Marriage) on Anglican
Unity (The GAFCON Position).
Diverse
paper presentations, write ups, online resources and the holy bible were
consulted in the course of this project.
The
results of the findings are:
1. That
homosexuality has being in existence for decades before they finally came out
publicly.
2. That
the social stigmatization made those involved in it to seek for legal
recognition just as their heterosexual counterparts.
3. That
the legal recognition accorded homosexuality by some western nations has caused
divisions among individuals, organization, nations and religion bodies
(notably, the Anglican Communion).
The
research also made some recommendations that could help the Anglican Church
community in maintaining godliness and in the face of the present challenge,
and in stretching out the hand of love to the erring brethren.
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tittle
page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table
of Content
CHAPTER ONE (GENERAL INTRODUCTION)
Background
of the study
Statement
of the problem
Purpose
of the study
Scope
of the study
Research
methodology
Definition
of terms
CHAPTER TWO
What
same sex marriage is
Historical
background of same sex marriage
vi
CHAPTER THREE
A
brief look of traditional perspective
The
biblical view of same sex marriage
CHAPTER FOUR
Harmful
effects of same sex marriage on the society
Same
sex marriage effects on Anglican unity
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary
Conclusion
Recommendation
Bibliography
vii
CHAPTER
ONE
GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
SAME
SEX MARRIAGE is a marriage contact between two people of similar sexes. For
instance, a male getting married to a male or a female marrying a female.
In
pursuit of human right freedom of association, same sex marriage became legal
in some nations of the world while some other nations did not only disagree
with it but also legislated against it.
Some
churches in the west, being a member of the larger society, felt the need not
to go against the legal system of their nations decided to embrace the practice
after much deliberations. They started giving marriage licenses to same sex
couples who approach them to join them in marriage. Some even went as far as
ordaining gay priest over the church of God.
Others,
who felt that the decision of some churches to support gay/homo marriages is
against moral ethic, against the divine injunction of procreation, and against
the word of God as put in Roman 1:25-29 decided to pull out of the union
between them and those churches who support it.
The
sharp disagreement between churches on same sex marriage has led to a great
disunity among churches
As
the trend increases and more Churches are either compelled by their nations or
decided to willing embrace same sex marriage, the gap of disunity between them
and those who see it as an aberration increases.
1
In
this project, I am going to expand more on same sex marriage and its impact on
Anglican unity.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In
response to the unprecedented spread of homosexuality across nations and heat
debate between the pro-homosexuality and anti-homosexuality, a resolution was
made in the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops declaring
homosexuality as ‘incompatible with the scripture’ thereby rejected same sex
blessing and gay ordination.
When
the Episcopal Church General Convention consented to the election of V. Gene Robinson in 2003 as the Episcopal
Bishop of New Hampshire and his later consecration, the Anglican communion
considered it a unilateral decision because Robinson was an homosexual.
The
action of Episcopal Church of USA by putting a gay into priestly office and the
plan of Canada to bless same sex marriage led to sanctions from the Anglican
Communion.
This
has resulted into disunity among Anglican Bishops from different nations
and
this disagreement is yet to be resolved.
The
problem therefore is to investigate the origin of homosexuality, its effects on
the society, diverse positions of churches on gay marriage, the crises it has
caused in Anglican Church and the solution to these problems.
2
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The
essence of this study is to analyze the problem of disunity in Anglican Church
occasioned by diversities of opinions, understanding, action in favour and
against homosexuality and Christianity; and how to forge ahead in the midst of
it all.
Also
paramount in my heart is the need to help Christians understand the evil homosexuality is causing around the world and
how it has even gotten to the altar of God, and the need to avoid it.
This
study is again carried to know what the church that stands for the sound
doctrine in doing as demonstrated by GAFCON.
1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Since
homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria, the researcher finds it difficult to
engage in interpersonal interview. He relied on the works of others online. He
also
consulted the bible to see the biblical view of the subject in question.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Homosexuality: Act of having sexual attraction to someone of
similar sex
Gay: A male who practices homosexuality
Lesbian:
A female who practices homosexuality
GAFCON:
The Great Anglican Future Conference
Bisexual
: to be sexually attracted to both male and female genders.
Hetrosexual
sexual attraction between two people of different genders.
3
