For the longest time, the religious organizations have been the most influential bodies that condemn same-sex relationships. In Christianity, leaders oppose the introduction of same-sex marriages since marriage is meant for procreation, according to the predominant Christian teachings. However, over the years, some churches have embraced different forms of practice. Some such as the Presbyterian Church of the U.S. allows same-sex relationships and solemnizes the marriages in church ( Hemphill, 2018) . Some churches even ordain LGBT individuals, irrespective of whether they chose the path before or after joining the clergy. Different churches have different limitations on the acceptance of gay and lesbian couples into the congregation. The reformed church in America allows gay pastors to serve in the clergy if they were ordained elsewhere, but do not ordain LGBT clergy (Rex, 2017). The Church of England, the Methodist Church of Colombia, the Church of Scotland and the Church of Wales approve and ordain gay priests in church services.
Acceptance of LGBT Clergy
The Society of Friends in Great Britain were the first to welcome LGBT leaders in the 1980s, sighting love and commitment in service to be more important than sexual orientation (Rex, 2017). The United Church of Christ was the first to ordain clergy that had openly declared their sexual orientation in 1972, and the first protestant church to recognize same-sex marriages. Other churches, including the Church of England and the American Episcopal Church, later followed suit, ordaining openly gay bishops ( Hemphill, 2018) . Clergy who had started service as males were also allowed to transition to females and continue serving as female bishops. However, in 2010, some members were unsatisfied with this decision and formed the Reformed Episcopal Church (Rex, 2017). To avoid more shifts, the churches amended the law to allow LGBT clergy, as long as they remained celibate. The same policy has been adopted by many churches, including the United Methodist Church.
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Mixed Reactions on LGBT Clergy
In June this year, the United Methodist Church ordained and commissioned three LGBT clergy members. The event was held during the Northern Illinois in Schaumburg, Illinois. The candidates had gone through their training and qualified, despite a February poll where 438 against 384 people voted for the Traditional Plan ( Patterson & Alsgaard, 2019) , which does not allow gay and lesbian clergy. One of the ordained deacons, Reverend M. Barclay, said she was worried about the lesser jubilation upon her ordination, as they prepared to face a challenging era as the traditional plan awaits implementation in January 2020 ( Patterson & Alsgaard, 2019) . She said that becoming a deacon in the middle of the turmoil of a church debating whether to accept LBGT or not was an increase in strength to her calling. The various members of the clergy vowed to work beside other LGBTQ individuals as a way of drawing them closer to God. Speaking during the conference, the deacons ordained in Baltimore also promised to utilize their positions to bring more people into the church, despite the church's plan to implement the traditional plan.
The ordination of the deacons in the United Methodist Church is an illustration of the struggle between holding onto traditional beliefs and adopting the 21 st beliefs into the church. The Traditional Plan endorses the denomination’s Book of Discipline that bars LGBTQ clergy and forbids gay and lesbian marriage, as they are termed incompatible with Christian teachings ( McFarlan, 2019) . If a member wishes to be ordained into the clergy, as from 2020, they must give up being members of the LGBT community. The decision was made by a Judicial Commission ruling and also bans solemnization of same-gender marriages ( McFarlan, 2019) . All clergy members who have been ordained before the full implementation of the Traditional Plan are required to uphold the teachings of the church despite their personal opinions. The plan will be implemented from January 2020, which does not mean that gay and lesbian clergy will be got rid of. As long as they do not teach contrary to what the church teaches, they can stay. However, this is bound to be a tough balance, teaching what the church wants them to, despite their feelings.
A Struggle to Accept LGBT Clergy
The United and Reformed Lutheran churches have also embraced LGBT clergy, but so far no bishop has won an election ( Hemphill, 2018) . The scenario could be a reflection of the doctrine that has been adopted but is not practiced. Since leaders make decisions on behalf of their followers, it could be a reflection of congregations that are not ready to accept the LGBTQ. In 2013, the Church of Scotland appointed the first gay pastor but barred further appointments (Rex, 2017). The appointments could be a reflection of personal likings other than embracing the whole LGBTQ community. In a case where a congregation likes a particular pastor, they could rule in his favor despite him being gay, such that another ay pastor would be rejected. Different regions have also shown disparity on the ordination of gay clergy. The central doctrine has had to be split to favor smaller groups, with some remaining under the main denomination, while others form splinter groups ( McFarlan, 2019) . For instance, the Presbyterian Church of America has accepted LGBT clergy, while the Presbyterian Church of America has maintained that same-gender relations are evil and should not only be allowed among the clergy but also believers. The Disciples of Christ also have a similar situation, with some churches allowing same-sex relationships and other refuting (Hemphill, 2018). The central administration has given its churches the freedom to decide on what they prefer.
Maintenance of traditional attitudes towards the LGBTQ community in the 21 st century is not easy. A significant number of people are embracing the practice; therefore, doctrines that condemn the practice will push several congregants away, especially since it is a common practice among the youth. Young people are more courageous to come forward and declare their sexuality without fear of intimidation. The problem is even more significant in Asia and Africa, where both traditions are religion are against same-gender relations. According to Monkey Cage (2019), almost 80% of Africans surveyed across 33 countries in 2016 reported that they would not tolerate homosexuality, especially in the church. Anglican Church of South Africa, the first church to accept gay inclusion, was later overturned by a ruling by the lager South Eastern Province. However, various church leaders engage LGBT youth in support sessions but do not welcome them into the church.
Conclusion
The church has been reluctant to accept same-sex relationships, with Africa and Asia being the strongest opposers. A combination of tradition and strong religious belief against LGBT has formed the basis for the resistance. Although some churches such as the United Methodist, Presbyterian Church of America, among others remain adamant, the West has significantly embraced the individuals, with churches allowing same-gender marriages and clergy. The trend is, however, expected to change and allow more LBGT individuals into church leadership, given the freedom of expression among the youth, who are continually coming out to declare their sexual orientations. The 21 st century presents the church with a challenge to loosen its beliefs on LGBTQ individuals.
References
Hemphill, A. L. (2018). Identity reconciliation and religious agency in gay and lesbian Episcopal clergy (Doctoral dissertation).
McFarlan, E. (2019). United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan's ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage. Retrieved on 2 nd October from https://www.ncronline.org/news/people/united-methodist-court-upholds-traditional-plans-ban-lgbtq-clergy-same-sex-marriage
Monkey Cage. (2019). Not all Christian leaders in Africa are opposed to LGBTQ inclusion. Accessed from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/03/07/yes-methodist-church-voted-against-lgbtq-inclusion-theres-more-story/
Patterson, J & Alsgaard, E. (2019). Two US conferences ordain commission LGBTQ clergy. Retrieved from https://www.umnews.org/en/news/two-us-conferences-ordain-commission-lgbtq-clergy on 2nd October 2019
Rex, J. A. (2017). Religious Group Autonomy, Gay Ordination, and Human Rights Law. In Current Issues in Law and Religion (pp. 499-522). Routledge.
