A Theological Reflection on William Norman Pittenger's Ethics of Homosexuality Summary

Homosexuality, is really a debatable topic not just on the ground of academic research, but a fact in our church and society. In 1970's, homosexuals were awaken of their rights and formed a Gay Rights Movement. They came from many different classes of the society and presented themselves in front of their fellowmen. In 1967, an Act of Sexual Offences was passed in the British Parliament that proclaimed homosexual activity was no longer being a crime. After the passing of the Sexual Offences, books and publications were displayed and sold in the bookshelf. Organizations for homosexuals were formed. It was a fact that homosexuality would no longer be a hidden trend in the society. William Norman Pittenger, a British theologian, who responded quickly after 1967, tried to find out a theological acceptance for homosexuality in the Bible and Christian belief.

In this paper, we have looked at William Norman Pittenger's positive view of ethics of homosexuality.

English: Action Love Versus Homosexuality, Kyiv, s...

Journal of Homosexuality

Portal of the Church of Pilgrims, in Washington, D...

Under his framework, sexuality is a very natural component of human being because God created not only human body but also the body with sexuality. Therefore, the need of sexual activity is a natural desire of human being. Human sexuality, accordingly, has a two-fold purpose that not only procreates another human being, but also need the feelings of union in their relationship. Love should be placed in the highest position in Christian ethics. Pittenger also found that the Bible had the same point of view that love is the most important element in human relationship. He looked at the Bible as a love framework, which treated every sexual orientation people as the same in front of God. Pittenger did not agree that the Bible prohibited homosexuality. It was because both in the Old and New Testament, homosexual activities were usually associated with...