Eighth Post: Final blog-post.

As I researched this admittedly touchy subject of homosexuality and its relationship with Orthodox Christianity, I came into the debate with the rough idea that our God is a God of love and a God of tolerance; yes, he also punishes those who do evil in his sight, but loving relationships, whether homosexual or heterosexual, would be accepted by Him. Having set myself four questions including whether the Orthodox Church actually has a view on homosexuality, whether homosexuals serve in the clergy or take part in Communion as the laity, and finally, if the Orthodox Faith itself ostracizes these groups, I really found some answers. As I have read all of these books, I have come to the conclusion that Orthodoxy is only against sexuality, not loving homosexual relationships. The Orthodox Church's stance towards homosexuality is normally built on the views of specific persons, the examples of possibly homosexual saints serving to illustrate that Orthodoxy does have homosexuals in the clergy/laity. Finally, Orthodoxy only ostracizes homosexuals in specific instances. In general, homosexuals should be, and have been, accepted as part of the Christain Family.