An analysis of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines general assembly policy statement on lesbians, gays bisexuals and transgenders : Its implications and significance to the Western Visayas Conference

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted to identify the implications of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) General Assembly Policy Statement on Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender to the Western Visayas Conference. Analysis of the Biblical Theological Reflection on LGBT and UCCP LGBT Policy Statement were largely used in this study. Biblical exegesis in the spirit of life-giving, life affirming, inclusive way of interpretation was employed. Results of the study revealed the attitude of the members of the Western Visayas Conference towards the LGBT’s and the Church Workers’ response to the mandate of the Policy Statement. The church “othering” attitude towards the LGBT’s is rooted in the heteronormative hegemonic views of the society and the toxic interpretations of the scripture that have been adapted by the church from the patristic period. However, in the post-colonial approach to biblical interpretation the result of the study presents the God as revealed in the scripture as welcoming and inclusive. The UCCP stands on a tradition of faith that has always been regarded as an affirming, welcoming, accepting and caring community of the followers of Christ. This Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical faith tradition is rooted primarily and solely on a theology of grace, not on a theology of law or pure legalism. This is the very nature of the God that we worship.