I made a comment about this on the Chick Fil A thread, but it didn't get much discussion, so I thought this topic deserved its own thread. It seems to me the opposition to gay rights stems from (in my opinion) an archaic and misguided belief that the bible condemns homosexuality. My question to all of those who think homosexuality is wrong: where do you get this justification from, specifically? I think a good old fashioned biblical lesson for those with anti-gay opinions could go a long way...
I think more importantly than that is why those that believe the bible condemns homosexuality believe that their belief should be law, instead of just allowing people who see the bible that way to not practice same sex marriage themselves. Meanwhile others with a different belief would be free to practice it.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27, and Genesis 19. The bible is very clear about homosexuality. You cannot be approved in gods eyes if you are practicing homosexuality. Either you believe in God's word and follow his principals or you don't. It's not that hard. If you don't put faith in God's word then you can do whatever you like. However, if you do believe in God's word and practice it's morals then you can't be a homosexual. It's not that hard.
I think most homophobes that hate gay people and just use the bible as a front to justify it. Like if there such sticklers of the bible's exact words, do they also think that Tim Tebow is un-christian like for playing football on Sundays? Do they never sin either? It's pretty hypocritical is you ask me. But being against gay marriage and being homophobic aren't the same thing.
So do you also believe Paul is right about women and slavery? Or do you pick and choose? Or perhaps you've already noticed that Paul simply called it unnatural by society's standards. After all, when describing normative wrongs he liked to use scary words like wicked and evil. As for Leviticus, I assume your also against the sale and consumption of shrimp and pork then too... Sure, Sodom and Gamora were full of sexual misconduct and greed. Can you point to me where it is stated that those cities were destroyed because of homosexuality? I must of missed that. /sigh
That's like saying if you want to be a christian and follow god's word you have to be perfect. Homosexuality isn't the biggest sin people, it's not even one of the ten commandments.
The Bible (including the New Testament) is clear about homosexuality. Romans ch 1, 1st Corinthians ch 6, 1st Timothy chapter 1. It's very clear that it's a sin. I believe churches should reject the movement which claims tolerance of homosexual behavior in the name of freedom of the individual and of moral progress, BUT must also resist the popular reaction of persecution and ostracism of these homosexuals. The Bible's also very clear that we're all sinners...
A false justification is as bad. It convinces other people to as well. Most people are like sheep when it comes to religion, they use what is popular or what they have been told rather than having their own in depth reading of their holy text.
Point 1: I think we through the word hate too easily. I think that just because you don't 100% agree with something does not mean you HATE it. Point 2: Biblically speaking homosexual sex is condemned - It is the same as Fornication. Point 3: Important point from biblically speaking - Marriage makes sex ok. You are no longer fornication. Marriage is about encouraging the ending of sinning. i.e. When you marry you can have sex without it being fornication, without it being a sin. The issue with Gay Marriage is homosexual sex is a sin, inside or outside of of committed relationship. So a Gay Marriage would be seen as encouraging sin. Which is not what Christianity is about. It is about to eliminating sin. I am not Biblical Scholar but that is my take on it. As a Christian you cannot support [or should not support] anything that encourages one to sin. i.e. I don't support war. I don't support abortion. because I see these as encouraging murder or killing Rocket River
Agreed. Mostly people are sheep about anything these days Patriotism, Liberalism, Conservatism and Capitalism are becoming very strong religions in and of themselves. Rocket River
Nice try. In these selections, many English translations of the Bible do indeed say that homosexuality is being discussed. However the original word Paul used was a Greek word, arsenokotai, which wasn't used much, but is different than describing homosexual (the Greek word arseno refers to a man, meaning the word would only describe male sexual relationships.) More likely, Paul was referring to young boy sex slaves which existedin Greece. Also, Paul's comments reflected the societal norms he lived in more than actual normative sin. This is why I hope you disagree with his commentary on women and slavery. This is the type of religious ignorance that fuels the ongoing anti-gay movement.
I agree, there could be some people who hate gay people and do use the bible as a front. And come on man, we're not under the Mosaic Law. Let's not get things twisted. Observing the sabbath ended with the Law. Once Jesus died as a ransom the Mosaic Law was no longer in effect. That isn't to say we shouldn't still observe the principals from the ten commandments, but under Jesus ransom we're no longer binded by the old law.
This is basically my issue. I don't have a problem with Christians believing homosexuality is a sin. I have a problem with them elevating it above other sins and trying to force others to live by their religious standards. I you think homosexuality is a sin then fine, don't commit homosexual acts. But don't try to legislatively force your beliefs on people who may or may not share your religion. I know Christians wouldn't want sharia law forced on them when they aren't Muslim. Why then should Christian law be forced upon those who aren't Christian? FWIW, I'm Christian. I think homosexuality is a sin. But I think it gets too much emphasis and I'm pro-Gay rights.
Wrong. You've been reduced to arguing semantics. You've got an agenda, that much is clear, and it's leading to bias. Unfortunately it means you've been reduced to trying to nit-pick semantics, losing sight of the broader picture and meaning.
See I also have a problem with religious.legislation, but I think that it is also sad so many.people do think its a sin. Even if you say you won't judge, that belief will subtly taint all interactions you have with homosexual people that you meet since you believe in the back of your mind that their lifestyle is wrong. If people would open their minds to interpreting the Bible, it would break down a lot of the subtle psychological stimuli for negative interaction towards a group.
Haha, this is a bad response. Is the original translation of the Bible not important? Please respond to my argument and inform me what the bigger picture is, instead of disrespecting a holy book by laughing off its meaning with a quip.
