Gays seek comfort in Church

For many years, Christians in Jamaica have condemned homosexuals and other members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

Their condemnations have left many members of this group feeling confused about their religious beliefs, but policy and advocacy manager of The Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG), Glenroy Murray, believes that the condemnation is based on a misinterpretation of the scriptures and the belief that a person cannot be gay and Christian is false.

"The idea that someone cannot be LGBT and be Christian is false because there is nothing in the Bible that speaks to that," Murray said.

He, however, admitted that the Bible does make reference to homosexuality. Leviticus 20 verse 13 states that "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them".

Murray said that "was Mosaic laws, which were created specifically for the Jews."

No longer apply

"It was about strengthening their armies and keeping their civilisation together and because we know that when Jesus came the Mosaic rules no longer applied - not to the Gentiles at least - and since most of us aren't Jews, we can't use Leviticus to say homosexuals can't be Christians."

According to Murray, most homosexuals in Jamaica are Christians, and like other Christians who are committing sins, they have found a way to reconcile what they do with their beliefs.

The Reverend Herro Blair Jr, while still declaring that homosexuality is a sin, said that homosexuals should be welcomed in the church and their sins shouldn't be treated differently from other sins.

"I would not stop a gay person from being a part of my church, and I cannot view the lifestyle any differently from how I would view a person who is fornicating or committing adultery," Blair Jr said.

Theological conservatives who believe the Bible forbids same-sex relationships have been opposed to gays being active members or leaders in the church.