Does Christianity mean that God hates gay people?
By Will Bourne · Question 09
The direct answer
No. God does not hate gay people, and Christian conviction never gives anyone permission to demean, harass, or dehumanize them. My understanding is that Scripture presents marriage as a male-female covenant and does not affirm same-sex marriage. I will state that conviction honestly while making room in my life for people who disagree and for people who are in same-sex marriages.
Fuller explanation
Traditional Christian teaching reserves sexual relationships for marriage between a man and a woman. Affirming Christians believe that faithful same-sex relationships can be consistent with Scripture and Christian discipleship. These positions disagree about important matters. Saying only that everyone is welcome leaves the real question unanswered if the church has already decided its position.
A church should state clearly what its convictions mean for marriage, membership, leadership, and participation. It should not invite someone into close belonging while concealing conditions that will later shape their life. That is especially important when the conversation concerns young people and families.
The arguments need more than a verse dropped into an argument. They involve the context of Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6, the meaning of disputed terms, creation and marriage, and how biblical commands apply. A full answer should explain why a position is held and engage the strongest objections to it.
No position justifies humiliation, threats, harassment, or treating someone as a problem to be solved. Respect is required before agreement. A person is entitled to understand what a community teaches before deciding whether they can belong there.
The objection we still need to face
You have described two views but what does this ministry actually believe?
My conviction is that Scripture presents marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman and does not affirm same-sex marriage. In practice, that means I will teach that pattern without demeaning, coercing, or excluding people from ordinary human care because they disagree or are in a same-sex marriage. A survey of opinions cannot substitute for saying that clearly.
Scripture and its use
Genesis 1:27; Matthew 22:37–40; Romans 1:18–32; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11
Read these passages in their surrounding chapters alongside the explanation.