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Oh, please homosexuality has always been and will be. I am seriously concerned about people who make it such a big issue. The Bible was cobbled together by a bunch of MEN who kindly thought it OK to leave out major sections for their own political agendas.
I have a gene for being a philanderer and alcoholism. Can I make the "right" choices and be faithful to my wife and refrain from too much booze? Or since I have a gene for it, is it okay? Same thing as with homosexuality. It's wrong and needs to be controlled.
You obviously are pretty ignorant on homosexuality if you think its a choice. You dont choose what you are attracted to. In fact its common knowledge except to Bible thumpers that its not a choice.
Now assuming you are a man, ill ask you this.
I shall ask you this. When you see a naked woman, it goes up right? Now how about when you see a naked man? Does your pulse raise in the same way? Are you enjoying it? Do you go up? Do you feel urges in the same way? If you are heterosexual, the answer should be no. Otherwise, you might either be bi sexual or homosexual, and should re evaluate your sexuality. Most people know this is not a choice, and it would be ignorant claiming it so. I know a few gay people who went to a straight club, with naked women putting their bodies all over them, giving them naked lap dances, not once they could get it up. But just the picture of a naked guy gets them up easily. Tell me thats choice. Also, why would a gay person, knowing that you will have a rough time in society, knowing that you cant get married unless you live in CA or Mass, knowing that people will pick on you for it, knowing that your closest friends and families might completely turn their back on you, choose to be gay, if they could easily be satisfied by the opposite sex? Thats right, its because they cant.
God, made Man and women. It really amazes me. If Men were to be with man and Women with women how come they both need the opposite to have children. The bible say be fruitful and multiply. Without the opposite you can't possibly do that.
Both of these verses refer not to homosexuals but to heterosexuals who took part in the
baal fertility rituals in order to guarantee good crops and healthy flocks. No hint at sexual orientation or homosexuality is even implied. The word abomination in Leviticus was used for anything that was considered to be religiously unclean or associated with idol worship.
Because these two verses in Leviticus (18:22 and 20:13) have been used more than any other Bible texts to condemn and reject gay and lesbian people, the following material is given to help you think objectively about traditional abusive use of the Bible regarding homosexuals.
From the Biblical point of view read; Leviticus 20;13. there is no question or debate. From the secular point of view, if we all became homo's for a generation, the human race would be extinct.
The question is "according to the Bible...", well that is pretty plain. If you do not answer YES, you do not know what the Bible says about homosexuality. I Corinthians 6:9-10. Read it. The question was not do you agree with the Bible. That's another question all together.
Paul was attempting to educate the new Christians in Corinth as to what Godly living was all about. In verses 9-10, he listed ways of living that were not compatible with a Christ-centered life. In verse 11, Paul reminded them that they had been saved out of those destructive ways. There are two Greek words in I Corinthians 6:9, which sometimes are translated with a homosexual connotation.
First word, "malakoi" or "malakos" - it literally means soft or mushy; it can mean spineless, wishy-washy or without backbone. "Malakoi" was used four other times in the New Testament and it always meant "soft." The context of I Corinthians seems to imply a moral softness or decadence, a failure to stand up for what is right and godly. It is significant that for several hundred years there was no sexual connotation assigned to this word.
Second word, "arsenokoitai" or "arsenokoites" - it literally means, "males having sex." Early commentaries on I Corinthians related "arsenokoitai" to male temple prostitutes and to men having sex with boys. (Idolatrous prostitution and pedophilia are always wrong for those seeking to honor God.)
Homosexual relationships were known in the Greco-Roman culture of Paul's day. The Greek word commonly used in reference to adult male same sex partners was "arrenokoites." Paul did not use this word. Instead, he created his own, "arsenokoitai." If Paul had intended to condemn all adult male same sex partners, he would have used the common word for it.
Bigots have changed the word "arsenokoites" and replaced it with homosexuality to support their anti-gay agenda. Its bad being a hypocrite, its worse changing the actual words of God to support hatred.
No, homosexuality is not a sin according to the Bible. Christians like to misinterpret or twist the words of the Bible to support their anti-gay agenda. Most scholars who study the Bible in context of the times and other lines, rather than cherry pick one line and distort its meaning, have shown that passages like Leviticus's "man lieth with man" have to do with idolatry, rape, and prostitution. This is the main reason Jesus never mentions it as well.
Before one can really answer this question properly, one has to define the definition of "sin" according to the bible. Without an adequate bibical definition of sin you can't say if an action/choice/thought etc is right or wrong. Therefore I ask you Shadow man what your definition of sin is?
First off, homosexuality is not a choice. You should scroll up and you'll learn that. Common sense will tell you its not a choice. Second of all, there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, with or without the Bible, as the Bible doesn't mention it, but mentions idolatry, prostitution, and rape. Sin denotes wrong. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, hence theres no reason to prove it right, just like theres no reason to prove someone with blue eyes right. Lol, every religious person i debated on numerous forums all fall into the same pattern, and sound exactly the same. Do you guys have meetings or something to condemn homosexuality? But the result is always the same, they lose the argument, and leave the thread. All i see you doing here is further trying to twist the words. Its not wrong, or a sin according to the bible. Oh, and go OBAMA!
It is a real pity that you have made so many assumptions about me Shadow man. You reply to my question assuming I somehow said homosexuality is not a choice and wrong etc without even asking me my opinion. You also just assume I'm religious. Maybe that is why so many people leave the thread because you say the same thing every time and know the answer and no ones views are any interest to you, unless it is yours. That is a real pity. I guess I have to leave this thread now too.
Actually, you were implying those things in the post. The "feel sorry" for me card never works. I have read both sides. The fact is, there is more evidence with relation to the historical times and proper interpretation of other passages that explicitly show the sins had nothing to do with homosexuality in those lines, but idolatry, prostitution, and rape.
What are "those things" I was implying in my post. I asked you a simple question (read post) and you immediately made assumptions about me and what I thought. I don't "feel sorry" for you, I just hoped you would hear me out. Thats a pity. Hope your blogging goes well.
Actually, i already know where you are going with this. I've just dealt with a few people like you on other forums. It's obvious you are asking that looking for an opportunity to twist the words. Sin? Its something that is wrong and harmful to others. Now go ahead, go try to show that homosexuality is wrong. Ill be sure to disprove everything you come up with :) Btw, this isn't "my" blog.
Whoever you are Shadow man..thank you for trying to educate the idiots that wander this planet. I'm a 56 yr old woman with a gay stepson and gay nephew, both of whom have tried to become "ungay" because they believed themselves to be sinners. I say bullshit. So, yes...THANK YOU! I'll now be able to use some of your words (if you don't mind) to confront a certain religious zealot that seems hell bent on destroying my sons' life and sanity.
A little while ago, I wrote a sermon on a very controversial topic. It was well received within the ministerial community as well as among the general public. A few months later, however, I encountered some information that I left out. With this added information and that which I have been using for several months, I hope to be able to show that neither homosexuality as an attraction, nor loving, committed responsible homosexual relationships are sinful. When we think of homosexuality, what comes to mind? Oftentimes, the thoughts we have of what homosexuality means and what homosexuals do is quite wrong.
For instance, in the 1980's HIV/AIDS existed but under the name GRIDS (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Does this ignorant former belief mean that all homosexuals have HIV/AIDS, or that only homosexuals can transmit the virus?
The same idiocy can be seen in other peoples' pre-defined ideas of other words, such as Catholic. I once told a girl that I was raised Catholic, and her immediate response was, "Oh, so you like little boys?" At face-value, this statement may appear to be a simple ignorant joke, or even an attempt at insult, but if you looked further into the root of her statement, you could see quite easily that she was serious. She literally believed that all Catholics, not just a small number of ordained priests that made it to the 6 o' clock news, were interested in small children.
The media forms a mold, so to speak, of what we should believe. In the 1980's, the media made people believe that gays were the sole cause of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In the 1990's and early 21st century, the media influenced the public to believe that all priests are pedophiles, and to some, all Catholics were too.
When I say media, I don't just mean the news. I mean any type of media, such as books, newspapers, television, radio, and yes, Church sermons. The media also has most Christians today believing that God condemns homosexuals. They have people believing that the Bible specifically states that homosexuality is a sin, and like the instances above, this is idiocy, based on the ignorance of biblical context and language transition over time.
In terms of homosexuality as a sin, this concept wasn't really understood until more modern times. The basis of this argument often comes from Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, I Corinthians 6:9,10, and Romans 1:26-27. These verses are as follows:
Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor "homosexual offenders" nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God."
Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
To explain these, I'll start with Leviticus. The Laws in Leviticus are part of what is called the Holiness Code, a part of the Book of Leviticus, between chapters 17-26, that explains the moral guidelines for the Jewish people in preservation of their covenant with God. It comes directly after the Priestly Code, a section detailing the guidelines for Jewish Priests.
In the original context, it is important to remember that loving, committed homosexual relationships were unheard of; that is, homosexuality most often emerged in forms of orgiastic behavior, incest, pedophilia, and a ritual known as shrine prostitution, in which sex would literally be used as an altar of the gods (pagan); this form is still used in modern Satanic ritual. When this is understood, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 become a little clearer; the context was lust.
In I Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists many things that will prevent someone from entering heaven. As you can see, the editor of this version of the bible used the term "homosexual offenders," but when the bible was written (2000 years ago), the term "homosexual" didn't even exist. In fact, when Paul makes his list, he uses two distinct terms in Greek; "aresenokoites" and "malakos."
The root, "arseno" has been traditionally understood as "man," and "koites" as "bed." Malakos translates to soft, or effeminate. When combined, by an uneducated "bible scholar," it is often assumed that the terms apply to homosexuals, who are stereotypically effeminate. In actuality, it is a very different scenario. "Effeminate," as used in this context is not the typical form of effeminacy that is understood today; rather, it referred to weak, morally-challenged men. It is likely that Paul, especially with his restatement of Leviticus in 1 Timothy 1:10, was referring to the same offenses mentioned by the author of the Book of Leviticus, i.e. prostitution, pedophilia, incestuous contact, and orgies.
Romans 1:27 is very clear. It says, "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another...." It mentions men leaving women and engaging in sexual action with one another. If it weren't for the use of one word, this would be a great defense against homosexuality; however, Paul says they, "burned in their lust one toward another." This is no longer an argument against homosexuality, but lust, just as are Leviticus and I Corinthians.
So what do all of these acts have in common? What do incest, orgies, pedophilia, and shrine prostitution have in common? The answer is obvious: lust. If we look at Romans, we can see that lust is used as Paul's defense against those men. How much clearer can it get? This lustful, loveless activity is wrong.
Where is the basis of lust as a sin? It first appears in the Torah (Pentateuch), or the first five books of the Old Testament (Tanakh). Lust appears in some form, in both the seventh and the tenth commandments; "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not covet," respectively. Adultery has an obvious meaning, as it is one of the most oft-committed sins in modern society. Covetousness is most commonly considered as greed, but in Romans 7:7, Paul explains, "...for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
So, can lust be used against homosexuals only? No, lust knows no sex. Everyone can and many do; it is not a strictly homosexual practice. So, if homosexual lust is wrong, just as heterosexual lust is, then what about love? Let's look at the ten commandments:
1) I am the Lord your God. You shall have no Gods before me. (No other Gods.)
2) You shall not falsely represent the Lord your God. (No making false claims in his name.)
3) You shall not take your Lord's name in vain. (Do not offend his name.)
4) You shall not forget his day. (Keep his day Holy.)
These pretty much say "Love God." He wants you to respect Him and love Him because he is your God; he is all-deserving.
5) You shall not dishonor your parents. (Do what your parents tell you.)
6) You shall not murder. (Don't kill other people.)
7) You shall not commit adultery. (Don't cheat, or sexually fantasize about others.)
8) You shall not steal. (Don't take things that aren't yours.)
9) You shall not lie. (Don't say things that aren't true.)
10) You shall not covet. (Don't lust and don’t be greedy or jealous of your neighbor.)
These pretty much say, "Love your neighbor." He wants you to love all of His children. He wants you to be respectful and honorable. But one thing we don’t see in these commandments is a reference to homosexuality. To God, love is love, and that's it. It is not defined by sexual orientation or marriage by civil law. It is defined by the heart, and by the soul, for everyone, by God.
God is love. Love is the message he has been sending us from day one. Jesus died on the cross to show us what true love can do. We must not discriminate against anyone, for any reason. And if you feel you want to, ask yourself, "Would Jesus call this person a faggot? Would Jesus call this person a spic? Would Jesus call this person a nigger? Would Jesus say, 'you are going to hell because you are different from everyone else?”
No, He wouldn't do any of that because Jesus is God, and God is love. There is no sin in love, no matter who you are, or who you love.
Yes, homosexuality is a sin. the bible says it is wrong. plain and simple. the bible is simple, it isnt confusing. look hard enough and the pieces are put together, contradictions are in fact NOT contridictions, and it is spelled out. sodom and Gamorah were BLOWN UP IN A GIANT FIRE! the words "PILLAR OF FIRE" freaks the crap out of me. that doesnt say "THIS IS WRONG" in your mind?? oh gosh.. Jesus calls christians to accept people as sinners, but not say that their sin is okay. accept but not allow. i will not follow homosexuality, but i am asked to atleast allow it. so stop it, its a sin. you just dont care that it is. i care, you dont. thats what separates you and i.
United States
Yes, with qualifications. The act is a sin. Having the urge to have homosexual relations is not. We're all tempted into sin. Resisting it is a virtue.
I agree. Someone can be "gay" but only if they abstain from homosexual acts will they be saved.
The act is not a sin either. Read the proper interpretations from my post below.
Oh, please homosexuality has always been and will be. I am seriously concerned about people who make it such a big issue. The Bible was cobbled together by a bunch of MEN who kindly thought it OK to leave out major sections for their own political agendas.
ybfree it aint that simple.
it is that simple.
I have a gene for being a philanderer and alcoholism. Can I make the "right" choices and be faithful to my wife and refrain from too much booze? Or since I have a gene for it, is it okay? Same thing as with homosexuality. It's wrong and needs to be controlled.
I agree.
We all have choices in life. Sin is Sin. No matter how you look at it.
You obviously are pretty ignorant on homosexuality if you think its a choice. You dont choose what you are attracted to. In fact its common knowledge except to Bible thumpers that its not a choice.
Now assuming you are a man, ill ask you this.
I shall ask you this. When you see a naked woman, it goes up right? Now how about when you see a naked man? Does your pulse raise in the same way? Are you enjoying it? Do you go up? Do you feel urges in the same way? If you are heterosexual, the answer should be no. Otherwise, you might either be bi sexual or homosexual, and should re evaluate your sexuality. Most people know this is not a choice, and it would be ignorant claiming it so. I know a few gay people who went to a straight club, with naked women putting their bodies all over them, giving them naked lap dances, not once they could get it up. But just the picture of a naked guy gets them up easily. Tell me thats choice. Also, why would a gay person, knowing that you will have a rough time in society, knowing that you cant get married unless you live in CA or Mass, knowing that people will pick on you for it, knowing that your closest friends and families might completely turn their back on you, choose to be gay, if they could easily be satisfied by the opposite sex? Thats right, its because they cant.
God, made Man and women. It really amazes me. If Men were to be with man and Women with women how come they both need the opposite to have children. The bible say be fruitful and multiply. Without the opposite you can't possibly do that.
I wish this question were divided into whether or not the bible says it's a sin, and whether or not *you* think it's wrong.
Amen!
I really wish there was an "I have no idea, nor do I care" option.
I agree.
It says two men shouldnt "lie" together, or lye, but it says nothing about two women.
You haven't read your Bible then. Read Romans. Women are not to have sex with each other either.
Both of these verses refer not to homosexuals but to heterosexuals who took part in the
baal fertility rituals in order to guarantee good crops and healthy flocks. No hint at sexual orientation or homosexuality is even implied. The word abomination in Leviticus was used for anything that was considered to be religiously unclean or associated with idol worship.
Because these two verses in Leviticus (18:22 and 20:13) have been used more than any other Bible texts to condemn and reject gay and lesbian people, the following material is given to help you think objectively about traditional abusive use of the Bible regarding homosexuals.
From the Biblical point of view read; Leviticus 20;13. there is no question or debate. From the secular point of view, if we all became homo's for a generation, the human race would be extinct.
Read my reply on what this passage really means. Leviticus 20:13 refers to idolatry, not homosexuality.
The question is "according to the Bible...", well that is pretty plain. If you do not answer YES, you do not know what the Bible says about homosexuality. I Corinthians 6:9-10. Read it. The question was not do you agree with the Bible. That's another question all together.
Paul was attempting to educate the new Christians in Corinth as to what Godly living was all about. In verses 9-10, he listed ways of living that were not compatible with a Christ-centered life. In verse 11, Paul reminded them that they had been saved out of those destructive ways. There are two Greek words in I Corinthians 6:9, which sometimes are translated with a homosexual connotation.
First word, "malakoi" or "malakos" - it literally means soft or mushy; it can mean spineless, wishy-washy or without backbone. "Malakoi" was used four other times in the New Testament and it always meant "soft." The context of I Corinthians seems to imply a moral softness or decadence, a failure to stand up for what is right and godly. It is significant that for several hundred years there was no sexual connotation assigned to this word.
Second word, "arsenokoitai" or "arsenokoites" - it literally means, "males having sex." Early commentaries on I Corinthians related "arsenokoitai" to male temple prostitutes and to men having sex with boys. (Idolatrous prostitution and pedophilia are always wrong for those seeking to honor God.)
Homosexual relationships were known in the Greco-Roman culture of Paul's day. The Greek word commonly used in reference to adult male same sex partners was "arrenokoites." Paul did not use this word. Instead, he created his own, "arsenokoitai." If Paul had intended to condemn all adult male same sex partners, he would have used the common word for it.
Bigots have changed the word "arsenokoites" and replaced it with homosexuality to support their anti-gay agenda. Its bad being a hypocrite, its worse changing the actual words of God to support hatred.
Of course, homosexuality is a sin in the Bible. Every sin is a sin in the Bible. I believe all sins are wrong.
Its not a sin, read my replies above, and educate yourself.
No, homosexuality is not a sin according to the Bible. Christians like to misinterpret or twist the words of the Bible to support their anti-gay agenda. Most scholars who study the Bible in context of the times and other lines, rather than cherry pick one line and distort its meaning, have shown that passages like Leviticus's "man lieth with man" have to do with idolatry, rape, and prostitution. This is the main reason Jesus never mentions it as well.
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/2554/kallos/bchtext2.html
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=10620&pid=805
http://www.jesus21.com/content/sex/bible_homosexuality_print.html
http://www.christchapel.com/romans_inter.html
http://www.stjohnsmcc.org/new/about/homosexuality.html
http://www.gaychristian101.com/Eunuchs-Are-Gay.html
Learn your Bible, stop spreading misinformation to spread hate.
Before one can really answer this question properly, one has to define the definition of "sin" according to the bible. Without an adequate bibical definition of sin you can't say if an action/choice/thought etc is right or wrong. Therefore I ask you Shadow man what your definition of sin is?
First off, homosexuality is not a choice. You should scroll up and you'll learn that. Common sense will tell you its not a choice. Second of all, there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, with or without the Bible, as the Bible doesn't mention it, but mentions idolatry, prostitution, and rape. Sin denotes wrong. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality, hence theres no reason to prove it right, just like theres no reason to prove someone with blue eyes right. Lol, every religious person i debated on numerous forums all fall into the same pattern, and sound exactly the same. Do you guys have meetings or something to condemn homosexuality? But the result is always the same, they lose the argument, and leave the thread. All i see you doing here is further trying to twist the words. Its not wrong, or a sin according to the bible. Oh, and go OBAMA!
It is a real pity that you have made so many assumptions about me Shadow man. You reply to my question assuming I somehow said homosexuality is not a choice and wrong etc without even asking me my opinion. You also just assume I'm religious. Maybe that is why so many people leave the thread because you say the same thing every time and know the answer and no ones views are any interest to you, unless it is yours. That is a real pity. I guess I have to leave this thread now too.
Actually, you were implying those things in the post. The "feel sorry" for me card never works. I have read both sides. The fact is, there is more evidence with relation to the historical times and proper interpretation of other passages that explicitly show the sins had nothing to do with homosexuality in those lines, but idolatry, prostitution, and rape.
What are "those things" I was implying in my post. I asked you a simple question (read post) and you immediately made assumptions about me and what I thought. I don't "feel sorry" for you, I just hoped you would hear me out. Thats a pity. Hope your blogging goes well.
Actually, i already know where you are going with this. I've just dealt with a few people like you on other forums. It's obvious you are asking that looking for an opportunity to twist the words. Sin? Its something that is wrong and harmful to others. Now go ahead, go try to show that homosexuality is wrong. Ill be sure to disprove everything you come up with :) Btw, this isn't "my" blog.
Whoever you are Shadow man..thank you for trying to educate the idiots that wander this planet. I'm a 56 yr old woman with a gay stepson and gay nephew, both of whom have tried to become "ungay" because they believed themselves to be sinners. I say bullshit. So, yes...THANK YOU! I'll now be able to use some of your words (if you don't mind) to confront a certain religious zealot that seems hell bent on destroying my sons' life and sanity.
A little while ago, I wrote a sermon on a very controversial topic. It was well received within the ministerial community as well as among the general public. A few months later, however, I encountered some information that I left out. With this added information and that which I have been using for several months, I hope to be able to show that neither homosexuality as an attraction, nor loving, committed responsible homosexual relationships are sinful. When we think of homosexuality, what comes to mind? Oftentimes, the thoughts we have of what homosexuality means and what homosexuals do is quite wrong.
For instance, in the 1980's HIV/AIDS existed but under the name GRIDS (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Does this ignorant former belief mean that all homosexuals have HIV/AIDS, or that only homosexuals can transmit the virus?
The same idiocy can be seen in other peoples' pre-defined ideas of other words, such as Catholic. I once told a girl that I was raised Catholic, and her immediate response was, "Oh, so you like little boys?" At face-value, this statement may appear to be a simple ignorant joke, or even an attempt at insult, but if you looked further into the root of her statement, you could see quite easily that she was serious. She literally believed that all Catholics, not just a small number of ordained priests that made it to the 6 o' clock news, were interested in small children.
The media forms a mold, so to speak, of what we should believe. In the 1980's, the media made people believe that gays were the sole cause of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In the 1990's and early 21st century, the media influenced the public to believe that all priests are pedophiles, and to some, all Catholics were too.
When I say media, I don't just mean the news. I mean any type of media, such as books, newspapers, television, radio, and yes, Church sermons. The media also has most Christians today believing that God condemns homosexuals. They have people believing that the Bible specifically states that homosexuality is a sin, and like the instances above, this is idiocy, based on the ignorance of biblical context and language transition over time.
In terms of homosexuality as a sin, this concept wasn't really understood until more modern times. The basis of this argument often comes from Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, I Corinthians 6:9,10, and Romans 1:26-27. These verses are as follows:
Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor "homosexual offenders" nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God."
Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."
To explain these, I'll start with Leviticus. The Laws in Leviticus are part of what is called the Holiness Code, a part of the Book of Leviticus, between chapters 17-26, that explains the moral guidelines for the Jewish people in preservation of their covenant with God. It comes directly after the Priestly Code, a section detailing the guidelines for Jewish Priests.
In the original context, it is important to remember that loving, committed homosexual relationships were unheard of; that is, homosexuality most often emerged in forms of orgiastic behavior, incest, pedophilia, and a ritual known as shrine prostitution, in which sex would literally be used as an altar of the gods (pagan); this form is still used in modern Satanic ritual. When this is understood, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 become a little clearer; the context was lust.
In I Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists many things that will prevent someone from entering heaven. As you can see, the editor of this version of the bible used the term "homosexual offenders," but when the bible was written (2000 years ago), the term "homosexual" didn't even exist. In fact, when Paul makes his list, he uses two distinct terms in Greek; "aresenokoites" and "malakos."
The root, "arseno" has been traditionally understood as "man," and "koites" as "bed." Malakos translates to soft, or effeminate. When combined, by an uneducated "bible scholar," it is often assumed that the terms apply to homosexuals, who are stereotypically effeminate. In actuality, it is a very different scenario. "Effeminate," as used in this context is not the typical form of effeminacy that is understood today; rather, it referred to weak, morally-challenged men. It is likely that Paul, especially with his restatement of Leviticus in 1 Timothy 1:10, was referring to the same offenses mentioned by the author of the Book of Leviticus, i.e. prostitution, pedophilia, incestuous contact, and orgies.
Romans 1:27 is very clear. It says, "In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another...." It mentions men leaving women and engaging in sexual action with one another. If it weren't for the use of one word, this would be a great defense against homosexuality; however, Paul says they, "burned in their lust one toward another." This is no longer an argument against homosexuality, but lust, just as are Leviticus and I Corinthians.
So what do all of these acts have in common? What do incest, orgies, pedophilia, and shrine prostitution have in common? The answer is obvious: lust. If we look at Romans, we can see that lust is used as Paul's defense against those men. How much clearer can it get? This lustful, loveless activity is wrong.
Where is the basis of lust as a sin? It first appears in the Torah (Pentateuch), or the first five books of the Old Testament (Tanakh). Lust appears in some form, in both the seventh and the tenth commandments; "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not covet," respectively. Adultery has an obvious meaning, as it is one of the most oft-committed sins in modern society. Covetousness is most commonly considered as greed, but in Romans 7:7, Paul explains, "...for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
So, can lust be used against homosexuals only? No, lust knows no sex. Everyone can and many do; it is not a strictly homosexual practice. So, if homosexual lust is wrong, just as heterosexual lust is, then what about love? Let's look at the ten commandments:
1) I am the Lord your God. You shall have no Gods before me. (No other Gods.)
2) You shall not falsely represent the Lord your God. (No making false claims in his name.)
3) You shall not take your Lord's name in vain. (Do not offend his name.)
4) You shall not forget his day. (Keep his day Holy.)
These pretty much say "Love God." He wants you to respect Him and love Him because he is your God; he is all-deserving.
5) You shall not dishonor your parents. (Do what your parents tell you.)
6) You shall not murder. (Don't kill other people.)
7) You shall not commit adultery. (Don't cheat, or sexually fantasize about others.)
8) You shall not steal. (Don't take things that aren't yours.)
9) You shall not lie. (Don't say things that aren't true.)
10) You shall not covet. (Don't lust and don’t be greedy or jealous of your neighbor.)
These pretty much say, "Love your neighbor." He wants you to love all of His children. He wants you to be respectful and honorable. But one thing we don’t see in these commandments is a reference to homosexuality. To God, love is love, and that's it. It is not defined by sexual orientation or marriage by civil law. It is defined by the heart, and by the soul, for everyone, by God.
God is love. Love is the message he has been sending us from day one. Jesus died on the cross to show us what true love can do. We must not discriminate against anyone, for any reason. And if you feel you want to, ask yourself, "Would Jesus call this person a faggot? Would Jesus call this person a spic? Would Jesus call this person a nigger? Would Jesus say, 'you are going to hell because you are different from everyone else?”
No, He wouldn't do any of that because Jesus is God, and God is love. There is no sin in love, no matter who you are, or who you love.
God Bless you all,
Fr. Andrew
http://ecumenicalfaith.org/sermon_homosexuality.aspx
Yes, homosexuality is a sin. the bible says it is wrong. plain and simple. the bible is simple, it isnt confusing. look hard enough and the pieces are put together, contradictions are in fact NOT contridictions, and it is spelled out. sodom and Gamorah were BLOWN UP IN A GIANT FIRE! the words "PILLAR OF FIRE" freaks the crap out of me. that doesnt say "THIS IS WRONG" in your mind?? oh gosh.. Jesus calls christians to accept people as sinners, but not say that their sin is okay. accept but not allow. i will not follow homosexuality, but i am asked to atleast allow it. so stop it, its a sin. you just dont care that it is. i care, you dont. thats what separates you and i.