IGREJA DO NAZARENO E SEU DISCURSO RELIGIOSO SOBRE A HOMOSSEXUALIDADE

Abstract

This research proposes to investigate the directions of the Church of the Nazarene specifically regarding the issue of homosexuality within it based on its constitution and proper documents equivalent to doctrines, dogmas, as well as all pertinent material that can substantiate and soundly correspond to the phrase-title. In addition, there is also a need to seek a greater understanding on a homosexuality issue as an affirming sexual orientation whose subjects wish to actively participate as members or church ministers in this church, free from prejudices. To this end, concerning to the issue of homosexuality, it will be questioned on how the Church of the Nazarene interprets it; how the church applies its by-laws towards the theme; how it conceives the theme from the scientific perspective. The first section will present the Church of the Nazarene since its foundation, its history, its organization with the respective ministries, and its regulations; finally, it will address the institutional theological-doctrinal bases that still lead to the denial of homosexuality in certain aspects taking account of some internal religious movements which are on behalf of the change of this position. The second section will present the theme Homosexuality within its historical evolution up to the present day – regarding the periods of prehistory, ancient classics, middle ages, modern age, and post-modern age –, and its aspects within the respective characteristics approaching several conceptions and definitions like Biological gender (Intersexuality), Gender identity and Sexual orientation considering scientific and theological positions on the subjects. The third section will present the modus operandi of the Church of the Nazarene regarding homosexuality, that is, it will describe how the Nazarenes think about the subject and evaluate whether their position in their documents dialogues with the scientific and theological perspectives of homosexuality; how the Church of the Nazarene deals with the question in practice; by means of which arguments it sticks up for its points of view; in fact, which position it takes on homosexuality; whether it can become an affirming church (a gay church [or a queer or an inclusive one]).