Homosexuality & the bible
I remember having to write a paper on homosexuality in my religion and sexuality course in college. This was before I came out but had already decided that yes, I was in fact a big fat scary lesbian. I chose the topic of homosexuality because it “spoke to me,” or at least that’s what I told other students. Truth be told, I chose that topic because I considered myself to be a spiritual person of sorts and wanted to know what was really said about being gay in the bible. Was it really as horrible as some people made it out to be?
I found out, through my own research and interpretation that there were many, MANY, contradicting statements regarding the ever-thought provoking topic of homosexuality. And nowhere did I find the complete, written sentence: homosexuality is wrong.
There are things that are said and plenty of things that are left unsaid.
A good resource to look at is “What the Bible Says - And Doesn’t Say - About Homosexuality.” It’s written by Rev. Mel White, co-founder of Soulforce, a religious organization that calls for the freedom of political and religious oppression against gays, lesbians, transgender and bisexual people through nonviolent practice and resistance.
In this 24-page booklet, Mel White puts forward these eight premises:
1. Most people have not carefully and prayerfully researched the Biblical texts used by some people to condemn God’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children.
2. Historically, people’s misinterpretation of the Bible has left a trail of suffering, bloodshed, and death.
3. We should be open to new truth from Scripture. Even heroes of the Christian faith have changed their minds about the meaning of various Biblical texts.
4. The Bible is a book about God. The Bible is not a book about human sexuality.
5. We miss what these passages say about God when we spend so much time debating what they say about sex.
6. The Biblical authors are silent about homosexual orientation, as we know it today. They neither approve it nor condemn it.
7. The prophets, Jesus, and the Biblical authors say nothing about homosexual orientation as we understand it today. But, they are clear about this one thing. As we search for truth, we are to “Love one another.”
8. Whatever some people believe the Bible seems to say about homosexuality, they must not use that belief to deny homosexuals their basic civil rights. To discriminate against sexual or gender minorities is unjust and un-American.
- Soulforce.org
Though I received an A- on my paper, I wonder … had I had a book like this at my disposal maybe then the inner struggle I faced when approaching this sensitive topic would have been less intense.
That and maybe I might have gotten an A + instead.
For a futher look at relgion, visit Find Relgion, 451press’s blog on everything relgious and more.
bible, religion, homosexuality, soulforce, lesbian, gay
April 11th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Very interesting. The “bible people” have a tendency to say alot of things.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Great article! The problem is The Bible, and any religious text is open to interpretation. So the more right wing section of Christians will use it to condemn any lifestyle choice they don’t like.
April 14th, 2007 at 2:48 am
Yea, well, the Bible has some pretty big contradictions regarding the nature of Yaweh God, let alone what he wants of us.
The omniscient God seems pretty limited, having to ask people where they are and making rookie logic mistakes. http://www.thebricktestament.com/genesis/garden_of_eden/gn03_09.html
http://www.thebricktestament.com/exodus/the_tenth_plague/ex11_05c.html (All the livestock were dead, right?)
http://www.thebricktestament.com/exodus/the_tenth_plague/ex12_12.html (This should have killed the Pharoh, being first born to his father)
http://www.thebricktestament.com/exodus/the_tenth_plague/ex12_13.html (Shouldn’t an omniscient being already know who to pass over?)
All of the above makes me pretty unconcerned about the ‘naturalness’ of homosexuality.
April 17th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
John Amaechi, the NBA player who recently came out, had two great quotes on this:
On people who quote Leviticus to him and the need to understand that that was the Old Testament: “It’s been revised, you know. There’s a new edition.”
And on people who pick and choose what parts of the Bible they are going to pay attention to: “It also forbids eating shellfish. If being gay is as bad as going to Red Lobster, I’m not really worried about it.”
I enjoy your blog, Lyndsey, and especially enjoyed “The Accidental Kiss” on your website.
July 13th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
wow i can not belive what this website says about mormons. this is 100% not true id know im mormon.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:36 am
[...] again. The whole “abomination” thing is played out. We all know the Bible is open to interpretation. And now the argument that if God created homosexuality, then why aren’t there gay [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
[...] Lez Keep It Real » Blog Archive » Homosexuality & the Bible See also: Homosexuals in the [...]