The Church and the Homosexual

by John J. McNeill

In this "brave and good book which shatters bad myths" ( Commonweal ), McNeill shows that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality, and argues that the Church must not continue its homophobic practices.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Religion, LGBT, Queer, Christianity, Philosophy

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is a little outdated at this point, it appears to be an important work in gay rights in the church. The author is a theologian who argues that homosexuality is not explicitly condemned in the Bible. He goes on to cite specific passages that have been used to do this in the past and present, and uses thorough research and creative interpretation to show that in most cases this is false.


Beyond this, he looks at the impact of tradition, society and the sciences to inform this work. He also spends time imagining what pastoral counseling can and should look like for the gay community.


There are aspects of this book that feel a bit outdated, including some of the language and ideas, but there is also a postscript written more than a decade after the work that corrects some of this language and alters a few of the ideas.


I have greatly appreciated this book for a few reasons. One is that it challenges assumptions that I’ve held about the Bible and LGBTQ issues. It reminds me that I need to continue to read great works that challenge traditional values that are rooted in faulty theology. Another reason is that in challenging aspects of gender and sexuality, it has been greatly refreshing to my sense of my own masculinity. Finally, it is such a hopeful, social justice oriented work that renews my hope in the Christian tradition.

This is a great book to read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a little more judgmental than I would like, but this book provides solid argument about why churches (and specifically the Catholic faith) should not condemn homosexuals.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is a catholic priest, a psychotherapist and a gay man; so he knows what he is talking about. Two things make it a challenging read 1. He is writing primarily for his colleagues in the priesthood and the catholic hierarchy so it is sometimes quite academic/scholarly. I often had to look up vocab. or Latin quotes. 2. It was written in 1976 and a number of things have changed since then. There is an appendix in which he discusses specific changes he would make to the text if he could.

All that said, he makes a STRONG case for the necessity for The Church to reevaluate and bring up to date its opinions and dealings with the LGBTQ community. One take-away for me: when two people in a committed relationship deeply and truly love each other in a manner that is totally respectful of the other’s needs and desires then their love, whether it is hetero or homo is blessed by god and should be blessed by The Church.

[graceofgod · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the views outlined in this book are undoubtedly unorthodox and heretical according to the tradition of the Church, it nonetheless does present an interesting argument, and moreover presents some legitimate critiques of the Catholic way of theorizing and talking about homosexuality ("objective disorder", etc.) Thus, I think it's important to grapple with its arguments, even if one disagrees.

[Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little dry at times, and definitely Catholic-focused, but still an invaluable resource.

[Robin Cunninghame Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it was groundbreaking in the late 1970s, it is now very dated but still has some valuable points. While I don't agree with everything he says (a child of his time, he gives sex fa more importance than it deserves) he did challenge prejudice, woolly thinking, and bad theology. It would be good to have an updated version that takes into account the huge changes that have taken place over the last 50 years.

[Denise Sudbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first read, it is vital to note the author's remarks that since those original words he had revised his views. Criticisms of the book as judgmental are not giving those revisions adequate due (see Appendix 1) and are not grasping those cultural times. Having said that, I had questions as well which some day are going to require another read or two to make sure I understood him correctly.

[Maike Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting conception about homosexuality and it’s pastoral meaning. It explains very well how God is love and if any man loves, he knows God.

[Kevin de Ataíde]

Apparently written in anger, the book is disgusting for the polemic attitude of its introduction and for deceptively calling itself Catholic while boldly and arrogantly issuing challenges to Church Tradition.



The author's mistake is to differentiate between the will of God and the teaching of the Church on this matter; which is not possible to a 'catholic' Christian. He places himself over and above the Church. Thereafter, he is able to repeat everything that backs his own views, while dismissing without refuting everything that doesn't.



Chapter one presents the author's challenge blatantly, 'We now know far more than all those learned Fathers and Scholastic theologians, and with pastoral experience and the Holy Spirit *we can discern for ourselves what God wants*. And we now have a significant political presence. So you (referring to 'the Vatican', who is portrayed as the big, bad man) have to revise centuries of tradition to suit us.'



The author will settle for nothing less than a total acceptance of his own views, that, aside from that troublesome Catholic Tradition which has never addressed the problem sufficiently, the homosexual act it a perfectly moral expression of 'human love'. This assertion he will never receive from a theological tradition that values reason and natural theology.