Is the Bible Clear on Homosexuality and Transgenderism? What a New Survey Reveals

The Pain, the Promise, the Purpose

You feel it, don’t you? Many faithful churchgoers today quietly admit: “I’m not sure what the Bible says about homosexuality or transgenderism.” In fact, a new survey shows just that.

Yet you also sense a vacuum: when churches avoid these issues, confusion fills the silence. As someone deeply committed to biblical truth and pastoral care, I’ve studied the data, wrestled with Scripture, and listened to people’s stories.

In this post, I will:

1. Present the surprising survey findings;

2. Diagnose why so many feel uncertain;

3. Offer clear biblical and pastoral insights; and

4. Suggest steps churches can take to teach more faithfully.

Let’s move from silence to clarity together.

The Survey That Raises the Alarm

In July 2025, researchers surveyed 1,003 adults who regularly attend church. They asked whether the Bible has “clear & decisive” teachings on pressing social issues.

• On abortion, 51% said yes.

• On religious liberty, 59% said yes.

• On marriage, 65% said yes.

But on homosexuality, only 47% believed the Bible is clear. Meanwhile, 26% said it’s “unclear or ambiguous,” 16% said the Bible doesn’t address it, and 11% said they don’t know.

Even more striking: only 40% thought the Bible is clear on transgenderism. Twenty-three percent said it’s ambiguous, 24% said the Bible doesn’t address it, and 11% said they don’t know.

In short: a large share of churchgoers perceive uncertainty especially on LGBTQ topics.

These polling results suggest a problem: many Christians feel the church is failing to teach clearly on sexuality and gender.

Why So Much Uncertainty?

Let’s explore the forces that lead to doubt.

1. Silent Pulpits, Avoided Topics

One pastor told me, “I fear losing Sunday attendance if I preach on sexuality.” So these topics are often passed over instead. As a result, congregants absorb messages from culture instead.

Thus, the church often leaves a vacuum. And that vacuum is filled, not by Scripture but by secular voices.

2. Conflicting Interpretations

Many modern voices argue that the biblical texts are ambiguous, that words like arsenokoites or malakoi might not unambiguously condemn consensual same-sex relationships.

Others insist that Scripture’s pattern (creation, Levitical law, Paul’s letters) teaches clear moral boundaries. For example, Thomas Schreiner argues the creation narrative undergirds the biblical view on sexuality. The Gospel Coalition

So you hear competing narratives even among sincere Christians. That breeds confusion.

3. Cultural Pressure & Changing Norms

We live in a time when gender fluidity, identity politics, and sexual autonomy are public norms. Many Christians feel pressured to accommodate or at least address them gently.

Thus, pastors sometimes tread lightly — or avoid the issue altogether. And congregants sense the hesitation.

4. Lack of Discipleship on Hot-Button Issues

Most churches excel in teaching such topics as prayer, forgiveness, evangelism. But they may lack systematic teaching on sexuality, gender, and identity. As Tony Perkins argued, many churches are not “systematically teaching the Word of God” on these “great issues of our day.”

In short, people are not hearing anything about these issues.

How Scripture Speaks (with Clarity)

Despite modern confusion, the Bible does offer a coherent picture regarding sexuality and gender when read responsibly.

Creation as Foundation

Genesis 1–2 reveals that God made humanity as male and female. That pattern is not incidental; it is normative. Jesus refers to it in his teaching on marriage. The Gospel Coalition

This gives us a theological lens: God’s design involves complementary sexes and marriage as a union between male and female.

Consistent Biblical Witness

• Old Testament – Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 prohibit same-sex relations.
• New Testament – Romans 1:26-27 describes same-sex acts as contrary to God’s design. The Gospel Coalition

Paul addresses sexual ethics in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, framing them as part of holy living.

When we read these texts in their contexts, they converge to a consistent ethic: sexual expression belongs in the God-designed boundaries.

Addressing Transgender Themes

The Bible doesn’t use modern terms like “transgender.” Yet it repeatedly affirms the bodily identity given by God (male/female) and the integrity of creation.

Some modern interpretations try to show room for gender fluidity, but many theologians caution that Scripture doesn’t support changing the created sex. Wikipedia

Thus, while we may not have a direct verse saying “you may not be transgender,” Scripture points to created order, the goodness of what God made, and the coherence of our bodies in God’s design.

Real Stories, Real Struggles

Let me share two stories that illustrate how this confusion plays out.

• Anna attends a church that never preaches on sexuality. She grew up not knowing whether God accepts transgender people. Later, when her cousin came out as trans, Anna felt torn: she cared deeply, but she also felt uncertain what Scripture supports.

• Mark grew up hearing that “God hates gays.” He internalized shame. Later, he discovered Christian voices that said the Bible supports same-sex marriage. That led him on a spiritual roller coaster. He looked for a church that holds to truth and love.

In both cases, the lack of faithful teaching caused pain, confusion, and spiritual wandering.

What the Church Can Do: Steps Toward Clarity & Compassion

Here are practical steps for pastors, leaders, and discipling Christians:

1. Preach systematically through the Bible
   Walk through books and doctrines, instead of cherry-picking easy texts. Incorporate sexual ethics naturally.

2. Provide classes or small groups on biblical sexuality and gender
   A safe space for honest questions. Use trusted resources.

3. Encourage pastoral empathy & listening
   Before debating doctrine, listen to people’s stories. Show love.

4. Offer discipleship, not condemnation
   Teach both the truth and the gospel’s grace. Help people grow, not shame them.

5. Address contemporary issues explicitly
   Topics like pronouns, identity, transitioning, and same-sex attraction must be addressed head-on, from Scripture.

6. Train lay leaders & Sunday school teachers
   So they can confidently guide conversations and answer questions.

Interactive Element: Quick Quiz

Quiz: How Clear Do You Feel the Bible Is on LGBTQ Topics?

1. On a scale of 1–5, how confident are you that the Bible clearly condemns same-sex acts?

2. How comfortable would you be discussing transgender issues in church?

3. Have you ever been in a church class or sermon that directly addressed LGBTQ matters? (Yes / No)

4. What is your biggest confusion about sexuality or gender in light of Scripture?

Feel free to share your answers in the comments. I’ll respond and we can learn together.

Conclusion: From Doubt to Discernment

Many churchgoers today live with uncertainty about what the Bible says on homosexuality and transgenderism. The 2025 survey reveals this clearly.

Yet confusion is not inevitable. The Bible offers consistent patterns and principles. Churches can (and must) teach clearly with truth, love, and pastoral care.

As Christians, we must not leave these hopes, hurts, and questions to the culture. Instead, we must bring Scripture’s voice, confident, humble, compassionate into the space where doubt now rules.

Together, we can help believers move from silence to clarity, from confusion to conviction, and from fear to faithful discipleship.

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