Isn’t the Christian Sexual Ethic Harmful and Repressive?

We believe that the God who created us, who made us in his image and knows us intimately, also knows what is best for us. His compassionate love for us means that he only ever wants to give us what is good for us and what contributes to our long-term flourishing.

‘If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!’
Matthew 7:11

The articles below unpack this argument in more detail and show that the Christian sexual ethic is life-giving, healthy and designed for human flourishing.

As you explore this site, you will also meet many same-sex attracted people who have found the Christian sexual ethic to be truly liberating. We hope you will be inspired by their stories.

Isn’t the Christian Sexual Ethic Harmful and Repressive? (Explore Questions #2)

Podcasts | 31 mins

The team take an honest look at ways Christians have harmed LGBT people in the past, whilst showing the goodness of biblical sexuality.

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Isn’t the Christian Sexual Ethic Harmful and Repressive?

Articles | 5 mins

Does it lead to loneliness, shame and denial or is it actually life-giving and liberating?

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Can Christians Trust What the Bible Says on the Topic of Sex?

Articles | 4 mins

Is the Bible's teaching on sex old-fashioned, uninformed and harmful? Or is it the most informed and life-giving perspective on sexuality?

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How Can You Live Life Without Sex?

Articles | 5 mins

Ed exposes our culture's obsession with sex and shows that going without sex certainly doesn't mean going without intimacy.

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God's Word is Good

Talks | 42 mins

This is the first of two talks Ed Shaw gave at the Solas Conference in 2016 thinking about the goodness of God's word.

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Does Living Out Support ‘Gay Cure’ or ‘Reparative Therapy’?

Articles | 7 mins

Ed Shaw (one of our founders) seeks to provide a clear summary of how Living Out as an organisation answers this question.

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Sharing Life Together

Articles | 4 mins

A personal experience of how living in community can provide companionship and opportunities for mission.

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Jesus is Good News for a Rainbow World

Talks | 22 mins

A youth talk given by Ed Shaw at Liberty Ministry Conference Sydney (2018)

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The Mental Health and Well-Being of Celibate Gay Christians

Articles | 5 mins

Is it healthy to live a life of celibacy? Psychologists Mark Yarhouse and Olya Zaporozhets summarise the findings of their research.

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Beautiful, Coherent and Plausible

Blog | 3 mins

Andrew shows how we can help people to see that the Bible's teaching on sexuality might actually be a good thing.

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Sam

Stories | 5 mins

'The One who made me and knows me better than I know myself is going to know what's good for me.'

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David

Stories | 4 mins

'The search deep down behind sex in our society is the search for intimacy.'

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Jeanette

Stories | 6 mins

'Churches that have supported me well are those that say, "this is who you are, be part of us".'

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Vaughan

Stories | 6 mins

'God's teaching about sex is marvellous and challenging for everyone.'

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Does Christian Teaching Cause LGBT Mental Health Problems? (Questions No One Wants To Answer #5)

Podcasts | 36 mins

Can LGBT people thrive in churches that teach biblical sexuality and how can we support those with mental health problems?

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How Can I Find Freedom from Shame?

Articles | 4 mins

Christ died that we might live life to the full - a life which is not crippled by guilt and shame. Rob explains more.

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Is My Church Safe for LGBT+ People?

Blog | 4 mins

Andrew considers what it means for churches to be safe places for LGBT+ people.

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It’s Time to Stop Weaponising Suicide

Blog | 3 mins

Andrew calls for an end to the weaponising of suicide in conversations about faith and sexuality.

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When We're Accused of Doing Wrong

Blog | 3 mins

Andy draws on 1 Peter to consider how we should respond when accused of homophobia or harm for holding to biblical teaching on sexuality.

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Evaluating the Top Affirming Arguments

Articles | 6 mins

'Love is love', 'What's the harm?', 'Celibate singleness isn't plausible', 'Who I am'. Are these good arguments for gay relationships?

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