The Modern-Day Moabites and Ammonites: The LGBTQ Movement as a Rejection of God’s Design and the Call to Redemption

Throughout biblical history, the Moabites and Ammonites symbolized rebellion against divine order and a rejection of God’s moral law. These nations, born from the incestuous union between Lot and his daughters (Genesis 19:30–38), were known for their idolatrous practices, moral corruption, and defiance of God’s covenant with Israel. Their legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God’s design for humanity.

In today’s world, the LGBTQ movement can be seen as embodying similar tendencies to reject God’s plan for human relationships, gender, and sexuality. While the Church recognizes the dignity and humanity of all individuals, it remains steadfast in its proclamation of truth: that God has designed human relationships and sexuality with a specific purpose and order, and deviation from this order leads to spiritual and societal disarray.

The Moabites and Ammonites were notorious for practices that desecrated the sacredness of human life and relationships. The worship of their gods, Chemosh and Molech, often involved idolatry, immorality, and even child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21). These actions reflected a profound departure from God’s commandments and a willful embrace of self-centered desires over divine wisdom.

Similarly, the LGBTQ movement, while advocating for rights and acceptance, promotes behaviors and ideologies that challenge God’s design for humanity. The redefinition of marriage, the rejection of the biological realities of male and female, and the promotion of same-sex relationships as morally equivalent to heterosexual unions all reflect a fundamental rebellion against the natural law established by God (Genesis 1:27; 2:24).

The Catholic Church teaches that human sexuality is a sacred gift ordered toward the union of one man and one woman in marriage and the procreation of new life (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2331–2336). Any use of sexuality outside this context—whether through homosexual acts, cohabitation, or other forms of sexual immorality—is considered contrary to God’s will.

While the Church acknowledges that individuals with same-sex attraction face unique challenges, it distinguishes between the inclination itself, which is not sinful, and the actions that arise from it, which are objectively disordered (CCC 2357). This distinction underscores the Church’s commitment to truth and mercy: calling individuals to holiness while affirming their inherent dignity as children of God.

The story of Ruth, a Moabitess who turned away from her people’s idolatry and embraced the God of Israel, serves as a powerful reminder that redemption is available to all who seek it. The Church extends this same invitation to individuals within the LGBTQ movement, calling them to repentance, conversion, and a life of chastity and holiness.

1. Acknowledging the Truth
Redemption begins with an honest acknowledgment of God’s design for human relationships and sexuality. Recognizing that actions and ideologies that deviate from this design are sinful is the first step toward repentance.

2. Repentance and Conversion
Turning away from sin requires humility and a willingness to embrace God’s commandments. The Sacrament of Reconciliation offers a tangible means of receiving forgiveness and starting anew.

3. Living a Life of Chastity
Chastity is a universal call for all Christians, regardless of their sexual inclinations. For those with same-sex attraction, this means refraining from homosexual acts and living in a way that honors God’s plan for sexuality.

4. Healing Through Grace
The sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, provide the grace needed to overcome temptation and grow in holiness. Through prayer, Scripture, and the support of the Church, individuals can find strength and purpose in their journey toward redemption.

5. Perseverance in Faith
Turning to the Lord often requires perseverance and patience. Many who seek healing expect instant change, but God’s work is often gradual, like a miracle unfolding over time rather than a magical transformation. Faith involves trusting in God’s timing and remaining steadfast in prayer, even during struggles and setbacks. St. Paul reminds us to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). Patience in the Lord’s plan and unwavering faith are critical to spiritual growth and healing.

6. Witnessing to the Truth
Just as Ruth’s faithfulness became a testimony to God’s grace, individuals who embrace God’s design can become powerful witnesses to the truth. By living joyfully and authentically in accordance with God’s will, they can inspire others to seek the freedom and fulfillment found in Christ.

The Church has a dual mission: to proclaim the truth of God’s design for humanity and to accompany individuals on their journey toward redemption. This requires a balance of pastoral sensitivity and doctrinal clarity, offering compassion without compromising the Gospel’s moral demands.

The Church must also address the broader cultural trends that promote ideologies contrary to God’s law. Through catechesis, evangelization, and prayer, the Church seeks to transform hearts and minds, calling society back to the truth of the Creator’s plan.

The LGBTQ movement, much like the Moabites and Ammonites of old, reflects a rejection of God’s design for human relationships and morality. Yet, just as Ruth found redemption through her faith and obedience, so too can individuals within this movement find healing and restoration in Christ.

The path to redemption is open to all who are willing to turn away from sin and embrace God’s truth. The Church, as the custodian of divine wisdom, offers guidance, support, and the promise of God’s unfailing mercy. Through repentance, faith, perseverance, and transformation, modern-day "Moabites and Ammonites" can discover the fullness of life and love in Christ, becoming witnesses to the power of His grace and the beauty of His design for humanity.