We asked some denominations if non-celibate homosexuals can be members in good standing of their faith. Here's what they said:
Roman Catholic Church
"The Catholic Church does not expel people…Being a gay person who is sexually active can preclude one from receiving Communion worthily. The Catholic Church holds that sexual activity belongs within the Sacrament of Marriage, a marriage between a man and a woman, and a violation of that teaching is serious matter....Some of our members…always do the right thing; others seldom do. But all are children of God, and through baptism have earned the right to the name "Catholic.” “In good standing?” That’s something one may only know deep within his or her soul, in that encounter between Creator and created.
Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Conservative Judaism
The denomination's Rabbinical Assembly, in a 1992 "Consensus Statement", said that Conservative rabbis "will not perform commitment services for gays or lesbians....will not knowingly admit avowed homosexuals to our rabbinical or cantorial schools....At the same time, we will not instigate witch hunts against those who are already members or students....[and]...we hereby affirm gays and lesbians are welcome in our congregations."
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley "has addressed this question on a number of occasions," wrote church spokesman Michael R. Otterson. "He has expressed his love for all people as sons and daughters of God, including those who feel the pull of same-sex attraction. He has acknowledged that people may have certain inclinations which are powerful and which may be difficult to control. 'If they do not act upon these inclinations,' he said in a 1998 address, 'then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church. If they violate the law of chastity and the moral standards of the Church, then they are subject to the discipline of the Church, just as others are.'"
Otterson continued that Hinckley "has pointed out that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. Referring to those who choose to set aside the promises they made when they were baptized into the Church, he said: 'We cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation.To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.'”
Southern Baptist Convention
"Homosexuality is a sin and sin causes a separation from God. A non-celibate homosexual, as anyone unrepentant of sin, would not be in good standing in his relationship with Christ and that should be the greatest concern," said Will Hall, vice president for News Services, SBC Executive Committee.
"Each respective church aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention decides what qualifies someone to be a member in that local congregation. In the case of a non-celibate homosexual, a congregation would decide how that unrepented sin affects the standing of that person’s membership and fellowship with the congregation," he added.
"As for a church’s standing with the SBC, our Constitution states, 'Among churches not in cooperation with the Convention are churches which act to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior.'"
