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I've started to make this a semi-frequent blog. I'm not sure of what to name it, though I don't think that's very important.
If you read my last blog post, you know I recently came to terms with my bisexuality. I don't plan to come out for a long time. Ever, even. One of the main reasons is the mindset of my community. Personally, I am a Christian, like a vast majority of my town. I pray to God and still believe He cares for me, even if my sexuality is different from the norm. So, naturally, if I came out I would be Bible-thumped.
I find this to be extremely hypocritical. What right do people think they have to say that someone's lifestyle is wrong, when they're clearly ignoring the rule that God loves everyone? How can they dare say that homosexuality and bisexuality and transexuality is wrong if they're supposed to believe that everyone is equal in His eyes
Lev. 18:22 , "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.
Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them."
Those are two Bible quotes specifically condeming homosexual sex acts. Although, allow me to quote another passage from the Bible.
That passage means that anyone who's a eunuch, has crushed testicles, or has had their male "part" cut off may not join a church. Yet, we allow them to this day with no second thoughts.Deuteronomy 23:1; He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
Why is it that people pick and choose parts of the Bible and apply them only when needed? It's often claimed that passages like the one seen above is "out-dated". How exactly is prohibiting any sexuality but straight not "out-dated"? We have millions of people who identify as GLBTQI.
My final opinion is, if you want to be Christian, follow the cardinal rules before you start picking out the small, insignificant, ludicrous, and passé ones. If I can be Christian and accept everyone else, like many others do, why can't you? Whether someone is gay, straight, bisexual, transexual, questioning, intersexed, atheist, agnostic, pagan, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, green-skinned, big eared, or double jointed, they should be treated the same as everyone in the world.
Before you panic at seeing my screen name, no, I don't know who you are in real life, no I'm not going to "bible thump" you and no, I'm not really a pastor. I am training to be one though, so I guess the screen name is "thinking ahead" so to speak.
The last thing I want to do here is offend you or insult you, so I'll simply say this, I am really intrigued by your post and would like to talk to you more about it if you'd like please PM me (if that's possible on this site, I'm new here...I joined just to reply to your post) if no just comment back I'll check in a bit over the next few days until I hear from you.
thanks
-PastorK
For some reason my browser is acting up on me, and if you wish to contact me (which I am fine with, and I'd love to further discuss :)) please do so at strictlyauthoringpurposes@yahoo.com
Thank you.
I was raised in a very religious household, the religion being Christianity. Leviticus is full of stuff that would make a lot of us fall into the category of 'sinner.' There's even laws about women on their periods and acne, and wearing two different types of fabric together! Which you know...based on the outfit I find that to be a crime myself ;-)
As I've grown up and gotten involved with church communities that consist of our generation I find that they're a lot less judgemental. Going back to chuch after college (which I left because I was so sick of the homophobic remarks and hypocrisy) has been a positive experience because the church I go to now is specifically for 20 somethings. So I'm realizing not all churches are festering pots of ignorance and hate and that has been super encouraging and enjoyable for me.
Speaking of enjoyable, I am digging your posts!
First, I definitely agree with you that anyone who identifies themself as a Christian, yet would hate you just because you're not straight is being extremely hypocritical...and completely wrong. I also agree that the Bible is extremely outdated on many things and to take it all literally is irresponsible.
So, I'd like to quickly share my impression of the Leviticus passages you quoted. They are most often used to denounce homosexuality, yet I see them as much more sexist than homophobic (although that is of course a big part of it.) I believe that they can be interpreted as: "If any man would dare lower himself to the position (literally) of a woman, he is no man at all. He is womanlike, and therefore an abomination. Any man who would dare to put another man in such a lowly position (literally) is also an abomination."
Just another interpretation to think about, I guess.
I'm no Christian, and I've never studied the bible. However, from conversations with Christians, a fairly universal response to this kind of argument is that they do not direct their disapproval toward the individual, but toward the sin. In that sense, and in the context of their faith, they can righteously criticize the sin of homosexuality while still loving the person and having them be equal in God's eye. People who go too far seem to be either classfied as "not christian" or suffering from "original sin". This is just my experience. I certainly do not agree with it. Hopefully someone with more biblical expertise can address this.
Personally I have challenged many Christians to give some good secular reasons why homosexuality should be considered damaging and worthy of societal and legal contempt. I have yet to hear one satisfactory reason that would also not equally apply to heterosexuals.
As a Christian, and a theology major, I hope I can help.
Most of what you say is bang on, I'll list them
"they do not direct their disapproval toward the individual, but toward the sin"
-True, at least Christians who are not idiots do this. The individual is still a person, and an image bearer of God and thus is entitled to the same rights as any Christian.
"they can righteously criticize the sin of homosexuality while still loving the person and having them be equal in God's eye"
-Though your use of the word "righteously" here is probably a bit inflamatory, I'll give it to you.
"People who go too far seem to be either classified as "not christian" or suffering from "original sin""
-Close but not quite, everyone suffers from Original Sin. Adam's (yes I said Adam's sin not Eve's) sin taints everything everyone does to this day, even (especially?) Christians.
As for your challenge for good secular reasons why homosexuality should be viewed with conpempt, there's probably a couple decent ones flating around having to survival of the species/procreation or socio-psychological reasons for the emergence of homosexual tendencies, but to be fair, they're pretty weak arguments in our culture.
Personally, I have no issue with legal homosexual marriage, but I'm a bit of an oddball theologically, I also see a difference between "legal marriage" and "sacramental marriage".
Legal Marriage is whatever the government says it is and should include at minimum, homosexuals.
Sacramental marriage on the other hand is reserved not only for heterosexual couples but Chiristian ones. These people need to be married twice effectivley, legally to satisfy the State and Sacramentally to satisfy the Lord.
I also believe that Christian clergy should give up the right to perform Legal marriage.
hope that helps.
-PastorK
Survival of the species is a fairly compelling argument. However, since the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions, the survival of the species with regards to enough people being born is a non-issue. Also, with the relatively low incidence of homosexuality in most societies, I wonder how much of a factor it really would be if survival of the species was a concern.
By "socio-psychological" reasons, are you referring to social and psychological problems with a statistical association with homosexuality?
By socio-psychological reasons, I was referring primarily to the "nature/nurture" arguments and the statistics that seem to imply that homosexuals have suffered a higher instance of child abuse and how that factors into the "decision" to become gay. Personally, I don't buy that one.
-PastorK
Also, the Bible doesn't ever say anything against lesbianism, does it?
I think you'll find it interesting, I certainly did.