Churchgoers Question the Bible's Teachings On LGBT Issues, Survey Finds

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Most churchgoers in the U.S. do not believe the Bible has clear teachings on issues like homosexuality and transgenderism, a new study by the Family Research Council and Arizona Christian University's Cultural Research Center finds. The survey, titled "Social Issues and Worldview", found that 40% of respondents believed the Bible clearly addresses transgenderism, down from 52% in 2023. Meanwhile, 23 % thought the Bible is "unclear or ambiguous" about transgenderism, 24% believed that the Bible does not address transgenderism, and 11% were unsure.

Regarding homosexuality, 47% of respondents believed the Bible is "clear & decisive" about "whether homosexuality is morally acceptable, 26% believe the Bible is "unclear or ambiguous" about homosexuality, while 16% said it is not addressed, homosexuality, and 11% did not know. The survey also found that 51% said the Bible has clear teachings on abortion, compared from 63% in 2023. Meanwhile, 21% said the Bible was "unclear or ambiguous” on abortion, 17% said the Bible "does not address" the topic, and 11% did not know. 

When it came to religious liberty, more than half (59%) of churchgoers said the Bible makes it clear about religious liberty, 20% said it was "unclear or ambiguous", and 11% apiece thought the Bible does not address it or were not sure. Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who is also a Baptist pastor, noted that the results show a "great need for biblical teaching" on the "great issues of our day."

"Many pastors, many churches are not systematically teaching the word of God," Perkins told The Christian Post. "And that's really what we've got to get back to."

 

"I think people, some pastors are afraid they're going to offend or lose people by … addressing these controversial issues," he continued. "And the result is it's created a vacuum that is being filled by the broader culture in the media. So that's what's shaping the worldview of many Christians."

Perkins emphasized that Christians are "not hearing anything as it pertains to these issues," rather than "hearing the wrong thing in church." The study, which was conducted in July and August 2025, is based on surveys of more than 1,000 adults who attend Christian worship services at least once a month. As CrossWalk Headlines previously reported, the survey also found a decline in biblical conviction among regular US churchgoers, particularly on issues like family, life, and morality.

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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.