The document indicates that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate, together with other traditional churches and religious organizations of Ukraine – Christians, Jews and Muslims, expresses a negative attitude towards the phenomenon of homosexuality, to attempts to legalize the so-called same-sex marriages in Ukraine in different ways, including through street promotions, to promote same-sex relationships.
This is stated in the statement of the press center of the Kyiv Patriarchate on June 10, 2018.
The document indicates that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate, together with other traditional churches and religious organizations of Ukraine – Christians, Jews and Muslims, expresses a negative attitude towards the phenomenon of homosexuality, to attempts to legalize the so-called same-sex marriages in Ukraine in different ways, including through street promotions, to promote same-sex relationships.
“From a religious perspective, homosexuality is the result of a personal, free, but false, choice of man and manifestation of deeply rooted sin in her. Therefore, like any sin, this sin, with God's help, can be overcome by man. And the first step to this should be the recognition of the unnaturality and sinfulness of same-sex sexual relationships,” the statement said.
As the UOC-KP emphasizes, God punishes for evil and not only those who personally accomplish it, but also those who approve it aloud or silently. Therefore, religious organizations cannot stand by to observe how in the Ukrainian society, under the guise of a struggle for human rights and democracy, a tolerant and even favorable attitude to the very phenomenon of same-sex sexual relations is propagated.
The UOC-KP considers unfounded attempts to equate public actions to the struggle for human rights for the approval of the state and society of the immoral phenomenon of same-sex relations.
“According to our belief, the legalization of so-called same-sex marriages or the establishment of registered partnerships is a way to encourage the state of its citizens to same-sex life. Equating such "unions" to ordinary families, giving them even the right to adoption of children, against which we categorically stand, the state distorts the very concept of social morality and makes a step on a very dangerous path - the way of distancing the law from morality that leads to the abyss ...
We do not advocate discrimination against people who consider themselves homosexuals, but we are categorically opposed to promoting homosexuality as a standard of sexuality, and that the state encourages its citizens to have same-sex relationships.
Believers do not have and should not have hatred or prejudiced attitude towards homosexual persons. But religious people cannot put up with homosexuality, other immoral actions and their propaganda as phenomena of spiritual and social life ... Our fellow citizens have the right to express their position and their protest,” the UOC-KP states.
In connection with the public events to be held by the promoters of same-sex relations on June 12 this year, as well as the protest actions against it, the UOC-KP calls on everyone to avoid violence.