.  In the early Christianity, norms regarding sexuality were to be found mainly in the Hebrew Scriptures. Sexuality was thus considered not a sin by itself, but a “path” toward committing sins, an animal vestige, and a habit that typically appeared only in creatures without the gift of reason. The only justification for sexuality – as old scriptures were emphasising – was procreation. However, no matter its purpose, the sexual act was “impure”, therefore both partners (even if they were husband and wife) had to purify themselves by ablutions.  Specific reference to homosexuality can be found in the following quotation from Leviticus (the third book in the Old Testament): “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Leviticus, 18, 22, and 20, 13). And the punishment for this abomination was death.  Most indictments of this kind were meant to emphasise the difference between the lifestyle of old Jews (as full of piety, temperance and purity) and that of the tribal population (as defined by excess and impurity). Some rabbis were even considering that homosexuality was a major sin, for which the sinner deserved the death by the stone. The Old Testament underlines the gravity of this act, when speaking about Sodom and Gomorra – two cities that attracted God’s anger because of the “lawless” habits of their citizens.  Although old scriptures said nothing about female homosexuality, some rabbis considered that it should be forbidden, too. The reason for this interdiction – according to some theorists – can be found in Moses’ Laws, by which cross dressing (both in men and women) was forbidden as a sin against God (Brundage J., 1987, p. 57).

After the apostles, the ethical norms and principles regarding homosexuality became harsher, while paradoxically enough, the sexual ethos was less and less austere. Christian authors paid more attention to sexual issues than Paul did. The holy priests of the patristic period considered sexuality a form of “paganism”, which was disgusting and obscene by its very nature. As for homosexuals, they were regarded as being enemies of Christianity – like the adulterant – and were punished by excommunication. The canons imposed to priests were created in the 4th century and included severe sanctions for homosexuality. Generally speaking, the worst sin was considered to be paedophilia – which was linked to the old Greek habits of a “pagan” origin.

The convert ion of Emperor Constantine in the 4th century influenced the relationship between Church and the Roman government: the former gained many privileges and the latter introduced special legislation banning some sexual practices. In 342, Constans and Constantinus (Constantine’s sons) issued a decree forbidding any kind of sexual practice between men and women, except “procreative copulation”: oral sex and anal sex were forbidden both in case of heterosexual couples or same-sex partners.

Throughout Middle Ages, attitudes toward homosexuality took various forms. Influenced by Church dogma, the books for “penitence” – as highly moral and religious literature products – paid a special attention to homosexual practices. Different ways of purification and penitence were recommended to those who were committing such a “sin”. Anal sex constituted the worst of sins and was named “sodomy”. According to their age and social status, sinners had to abstain from eating bread, salt, wine or even water, for a period from two to ten years. Oral sex – either homosexual or heterosexual – was punished by physical penalties or by privation of some types of food. However, lesbian sex was hardly mentioned.

Beginning with the 13th and 14th century, sodomy was identified with heresy. This accusation was a powerful weapon for destroying political enemies – in fact, any kind of enemies. Pope Clement the 5th used this weapon when he eliminated the Templars and ordered the killing of their leader. Among various accusations, Pope Boniface the 7th had to face that of sodomy. William de Nogaret accused both him and bishop Guychard de Troy of this sin. In his turn, the King of Aragon, Jacob the 2nd, “outed” his enemy, the count Alvaro de Urgel.

Despite these attitudes and despite harsh penalties, homosexual practices were common among crusaders or in ascetic monasteries – where in fact all sexual relations were forbidden. On the other hand, celibacy imposed to priests had the same consequence. Some historians argue that homosexuality was rather spread among the Church leaders – there were even gay Popes, such as Paul the 2nd, Sixtus the 4th and Julius the 2nd.

It can be argued that the history of Church and the history of homosexuality met many times. And most of the religious norms condemning homosexuality resulted in legal norms for the lay society. Even today, in too many countries scientific arguments have no chance of winning against religious remnants of Middle Ages, when it comes to homosexuality…
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