Homosexuality in the bible

It's kind of surprising to me today that there are Christian sects that are actually considering allowing the marriage of gays and in some cases even having gays serve in leadership roles in the church. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way homophobic I am actually referred to among gays as being gay friendly. I have a simple policy to life and that is that one should live and let live. As long as a relationship is by two consenting adults their sex in my view is irrelevant. The way I see it; what they do in their bedroom in no way bothers nor directly affects my life.

But the view of the church is not so open as is quite evident in the Bible itself. There are numerous verses within the scriptures that outright condemn the gay lifestyle. The purpose for this article is to demonstrate clearly and irrefutably that the church if it gives in to the pressures of society to accept gays in its congregations etc. it will be in clear violation of the so called word of God.

What is the Bible's role in the church?

The purpose of the Bible in the church is that it was meant to serve as a guidebook for the church on all things God. It represents the Christian deity's revelations to mankind regarding how one should live their lives in a way that would be pleasing to the god that they claim to worship. Yet throughout the length of its existence it has been subjected to endless redaction, translation, exegesis, and reworkings. One of the cardinal no no's in the bible is the adding or taking away from its texts. Yet believers tend to do this all the time when they cherry pick their way through the scriptures willfully ignoring those laws that don't agree with them.

First let's look at the scriptures to identify and define the woman's place according to the bible. From the beginning the scriptures teach that the woman was created for the man as a helper and to serve his every need. 

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 After making all sorts of animals he still could not find a suitable helper for Adam and finally he then created Eve out of Adams rib.

To the woman he said,“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;with painful labor you will give birth to children.Your desire will be for your husband,and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

Throughout the scriptures this pattern is often repeated. Women in the scriptures usually play a subservient role to their male counterparts. Even though the New Testament says that Jesus had women that also were a part of his regular followers we often see them ministering to the needs of Christ and his apostles. So according to the scriptures the woman was made for the man which is not surprising considering that the Hebrew culture is based on a patriarchal society.This also explains why the biblical God is expressed as a male figure and a misogynist.

patriarchy: social system in which men dominate: a social system in which men are regarded as the authority within the family and society, and in which power and possessions are passed on from father to son

 

In the New Testament Paul reiterates what he believes is the place of a woman in a mans world. Although in the following text he was discussing the issue of women having a head covering during worship he brought up the matter of a woman's place on the totem pole of society. Keep in mind that Paul was a misogynistic pig.

misogyny: hatred of women: a hatred of women, as a sexually defined group

 

7A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 1 Corinthians 11:7-9

11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. 1Timothy 2:11-15 

 

Now that we have established the role of the woman in the church we can also from these same scriptures see that man is supposed to love and respect his wife and treat her fairly. 

 

7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. 1 Peter 3:7  Some men gloss over the part where they are supposed to treat their partner with respect (more cherry picking). 

Now what does the bible have to say about the homosexual lifestyle? Let's take a very good look at that so that there would be no doubts about it. 

"'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. Leviticus 18:22 

"'If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads. Leviticus 20:13

26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Romans 1:26-27

 

 

The underlined portion of that verse refers to lesbianism; just to clarify for those lesbians out there who think that just because it says for the most part men with men know that it also means women with women and refers to these acts as unnatural. Now you know where the theists get it from. 

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 1 Corinthians 6:9

 

 

In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

 

The author of Jude went as far as comparing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to sexual depravity to what awaits those who practice such things in eternity. Paul states that gays and other groups that practice immoral sex acts will not inherit the kingdom. It's a shame that it takes an atheist to point this out to the church. But today's world also reveals the antiquated superstitions of the Bible as nothing more than the expression of prejudices and all manner of discrimination and persecution in the name of God. 

There you have it! Notice that I have used verses from both the Old and New Testament specifically to counter that argument before it even starts. Sexual immorality is a big issue in the scriptures even though the NIV uses the word detestable the KJV utilizes the word abomination when it refers to homosexual relationships. Some churches are defying these commandments in order to stay relevant in today's society and in doing so are demonstrating once again their love of hypocrisy. The Bible makes it quite clear that there is no compromising the law. 

Jesus taught forgiveness. Remember the story of the adultress whom the town sought to stone? Jesus told them "he who is without sin cast the first stone." Everyone walked away because obviously all of them were sinners in one way or another. He then said to the woman "go and sin no more." He forgave her but then admonished her to not continue in that life. You can read all about it in John 8:2-11 So going by the teachings of the bible just because you are gay doesn't mean that you cannot be saved, it just means that once you accept the gospel you have to leave that lifestyle behind. 

Technically based on what we have learned through the scriptures the idea of a gay Christian should be considered an oxymoron. But clearly that is not the case, there are many gays out there claiming to be Christians just as there are women pastors in some churches which is also contradictory to the teachings of the Bible but that is a topic for another day.

Note: All biblical citations are from the New International Version and all word definitions are from Bing dictionary online.