The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) Opposes LGBTQ+ Lifestyle

The lifestyle of the LGBTQ+ community has been deemed unacceptable by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on the basis of biblical principles. As the representative body of Nagaland’s Christian-majority population, the NBCC released a statement on March 12 expressing its unwavering stance against the LGBTQ+ community. This declaration follows a demand from an extremist group for the LGBTQ+ community to vacate Naga-inhabited areas.

The LGBTQ+ acronym encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and all other sexual orientations. Rev. Zelhou Keyho, the General Secretary of NBCC, underscored the church’s duty to uphold its faith and morality based on unchanging biblical standards. He articulated, “We are not against the individuals who grapple with an LGBTQ+ lifestyle. Love the person but hate the sin should always be our approach.”

Additionally, Rev. Keyho voiced concerns about society’s growing prioritization of personal happiness over God’s holiness. He emphasized the church’s role in fostering a community of grace that manifests love and empathy towards those with different orientations without passing judgment. Nonetheless, the church maintains its opposition to endorsing or promoting their behaviour.

In light of evolving societal dynamics, Rev. Keyho underscored the church’s renewed commitment to taking biblical morality and ethics more seriously. He stressed the importance of exhibiting compassion towards those struggling with their sexual orientation without condemning them. The church’s stance, he conveyed, is intended to underscore that the LGBTQ+ lifestyle contradicts the teachings of their faith and practice.

Conversely, the Niki Sumi faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) contends that the LGBTQ+ culture is foreign to Naga society. This faction accused the proponents of such sexual orientations of endeavoring to subvert the cultural and religious convictions of the Naga people, particularly the younger generation.

In the ongoing discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ issues, it is evident that the NBCC and certain extremist factions in Nagaland adamantly oppose the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. This assertion is deeply rooted in the church’s interpretation of biblical teachings and concerns regarding cultural influences. The divergent perspectives on LGBTQ+ matters among religious and extremist groups in Nagaland reflect the broader societal and cultural challenges encountered in addressing diverse sexual orientations.