Beyond Dogma: Embracing a Holistic and Empathetic Approach to Pastoral Care for the LGBTQ+ Community in Ghana

Introduction: Challenging Religious Norms on LGBTQ+ Rights

In Ghana, a nation deeply rooted in religious beliefs, the topic of the LGBTQ+ community has stirred heated debates. But should the church and its leaders truly be the final arbiters of how we understand sexuality? Human sexuality is a complex discourse and must be treated as such. If sexuality is so complex and dynamic then should we not embrace it in all its forms? Reverend Dr. Bansah, a liberal modern theologian in the Anglican Church, boldly asserts in his article “The Church and Homosexuality in Ghana” that “All sexual orientations originated from God.” He further challenges the conventional stance on LGBTQ+ individuals, arguing that there is no part of the Bible where Jesus condemns homosexuality, nor does He discriminate against people based on their sexual identities. If Christianity’s central message is about inclusion, love, and acceptance, why then do many religious leaders in Ghana continue to shun the LGBTQ+ community from the fold?

Today, many LGBTQ+ individuals face intense rejection from religious spaces, where they are told their sexual identity is a sin. The introduction of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill has escalated this tension, institutionalizing discrimination under the guise of protecting cultural and religious values. But if the church is truly a place of refuge and acceptance, why has it become a sanctuary of hate for the very people Jesus purportedly came to save?

The Real Issue: The Church’s Hypocrisy

A growing number of LGBTQ+ individuals have expressed their trauma stemming from religious condemnation. For many, church is a place of alienation, not sanctuary. They report being denied the opportunity to fully participate in church life, as their sexual orientation is viewed as a stain on
their faith. One individual recalled their experience of being treated as a pariah in the church, only allowed to sit in silence, while others continued to condemn them. The church, instead of being a space for healing, became a breeding ground for humiliation. This dissonance between Christian doctrine and the reality of queer exclusion is glaring. The message of unconditional love and
acceptance preached by Jesus seems incompatible with the hate that LGBTQ+ individuals encounter within these sacred spaces.

Religious Leaders: Blind to the True Teachings of the Bible?

While it is true that the Bible mentions homosexuality, religious leaders often fail to interpret these references correctly. Take, for example, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. While many use these cities’ destruction to justify a condemnation of homosexuality, they overlook the true reasons for
their demise. Ezekiel 16:49-50 provides a clearer explanation, stating that the sins of Sodom were “pride, excess of food, prosperous ease, and failure to aid the poor and needy.” Homosexuality is not mentioned as a central issue. The narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah reveals a greater problem: a society plagued by greed, selfishness, and an utter disregard for human dignity. Why, then, is the church more focused on demonizing a consensual relationship between two adults rather than tackling systemic injustice, inequality, and the treatment of the vulnerable?

Furthermore, if the Bible is to be taken as a reflection of God’s word, it must be read holistically. The story of David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:3 portrays a deep and affectionate bond between two men, one that transcends mere friendship. The love shared between David and Jonathan is profound and intimate, defying the narrow interpretations of love that religious leaders often
impose. To claim that such relationships are inherently sinful is a fundamental misreading of scripture, based on personal prejudices rather than theological accuracy.

Procreation: A Weak Argument Against LGBTQ+ Rights

The argument that LGBTQ+ individuals are against God’s plan for procreation is another example of religious distortion. Genesis 1:28, where God tells humanity to “be fruitful and multiply,” is often cited as a basis for condemning non-heteronormative relationships. Yet, this same logic ignores people who cannot biologically reproduce, such as the infertile or the elderly. If procreation is the sole criterion for validating relationships, does this mean that infertile couples are also outside the bounds of God’s will?

Jesus himself spoke of eunuchs in Matthew 19:12, acknowledging that not everyone is meant to marry or reproduce. If the institution of marriage and its primary purpose is reproduction, then why does Jesus recognize that some people are born eunuchs, while others choose celibacy? If we take the procreation argument to its extreme, we would have to dismiss the dignity and worth of millions of people who do not conform to this narrow standard.

A Call to Action: Reclaiming the True Spirit of Christianity

As Christianity evolves, so too must our understanding of sexuality and gender. Religious leaders must ask themselves: What is the true message of Jesus? Is it one of exclusion, fear, and condemnation? Or is it a message of love, acceptance, and radical inclusion? The church must stop using the Bible to perpetuate harm, and instead, it should embrace its calling to serve all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The New Testament teaches that all humans have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Therefore, if the Bible is clear on anything, it is that no one has the right to cast judgment on others. The story of the prodigal son, for instance, is a reminder that all are welcome in the arms of God, no matter how “great” their sin may seem. This should include LGBTQ+
individuals, who are just as deserving of God’s love and grace as anyone else.

It is time for religious leaders to reconcile their teachings with the values of justice, compassion, and inclusion. The church must create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, offering them the same pastoral care and support that any other member of the congregation would receive. The church must stop using their pulpits to preach hatred and division and instead advocate for unity
and respect.

There may be light at the end of the tunnel after all. In recent times, we have witnessed prominent religious figures such as Cardinal Turkson and Pope Francis break their silence on the criminalization of LGBTQ+ individuals, openly calling for respect and inclusion in the Church’s pastoral plan. This shift in discourse is not just a passing moment; it’s a signal of a more inclusive
future—one that challenges long-standing prejudices.

Leading the charge in Ghana is the Center for Religion and Public Life (CRPL), an organization boldly pushing the boundaries and walking the talk. While many religious leaders in Ghana continue to propagate false doctrines, CRPL is actively combating these harmful narratives. They are not only calling out hypocrisy but are also hosting seminars and workshops that provide the
LGBTQ+ community with Biblical tools to strengthen their faith and encourage perseverance. This effort is a testament to the teachings of Christ, who said, “Let the little children come to me, do not stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them” (Matt 19:14).

This is a direct challenge to those religious leaders who continue to misuse the Bible as a tool to exclude rather than invite. In doing so, they ignore the very essence of Christ’s message—an open invitation to all, without discrimination. As John 8:7 reminds us, “Let he who has no sin be the first to cast a stone.” It’s time for the Church to reflect on these words and reevaluate its approach.

Conclusion: The Church as a Safe Haven for All

The church must be a place where everyone, irrespective of their sexual identity, feels welcome. Sexuality, while sacred and spiritual, is often misunderstood due to cultural and religious biases. The Bible, like humanity itself, is a complex and multi-faceted text, and it should not be used to
perpetuate harm. The church’s role is to embrace, not exclude. As 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 tells us, the church is the body of Christ, and every member has a place. It is time for the church to embody this truth fully and allow all its members—LGBTQ+ included—to participate in the life and work
of the Kingdom. To exclude them is to dismember the body of Christ, and that is a sin the church cannot afford to perpetuate.

This article calls upon religious leaders to reconsider their interpretations, shed the cloak of bigotry, and lead with love, ensuring that the church remains a true sanctuary for all of God’s children, regardless of their sexual identity.