conflicting biblical text - homosexuality?

There are a few references to homosexual activity in the Bible: Leviticus, Romans, 1 Cor, etc. But that's all they are: references to homosexual actions, not gay people.

Since the very concept of "gay" wasn't even around back then, all these references are talking about heterosexuals who engage in homosexual activity -- not people who were born gay, who are acting on their own natural sexual feelings.

Also, the language used in these passages always involve specific references to idol worship. That word that gets translated into English as 'abomination' is in the Greek "to'eveh" which had a very specific meaning: ritual uncleanliness in the context of pagan worship.

Israel's neighbors were pagan, and part of the worship of their goddess Astharte involved men having ritual sex with the temple priests. Israel's whole idea of "holiness" was based on not doing stuff that the pagans did, and this was one of them.

So: I was born gay. I never "abandoned" (a word used in Romans 1:27) any heterosexual feelings to become gay. I also have never worshiped a pagan idol.

So how does any of that apply to me? It doesn't, and it doesn't apply to any gay person I have ever met either.

(((Pangelita)))

Sin is Sin, whether its homosexuality or not its all sin. All sin needs to be repented for. I don't really know why people Jump on Homosexuality as a huge sin, i believe its just as bad as any of the others. I have sinned, so I don't think I'm any better in the eyes of God then the homosexuals. To deny what they are doing to be a sin, is where they get in trouble with God. Everyone has natural desires to do sinful things, if they didn't there would be no sin. It takes work to suppress those desires. Homosexuals can inherit gods kingdom if they repent for every homosexual act. God will forgive every time. I believe god understands the difficulty of the temptation and that is why he offers forgiveness. The bible talks about how these people aren't going to inherit God's kingdom so they understand what they can do to change that.

The old testament is old, and very different from the New testament. As someone mentions the "He who is without sin cast the first stone" Nobody is with out sin, nobody should be stoning anyone.

As a christian, i do get upset with Christians that force their beliefs on other people. I mean, there aren't any laws against premarital sex, but it is a sin. Many Christians and non Christians have had premarital sex, why aren't they being treated the same way?

Basically i answered this question because i wanted you to notice how often in the bible does it mention Homosexuality, how often does it mention other sins, obviously homosexuality wasn't Gods biggest concern, and please don't let the Christians that act like its the worst thing you can do and show hate towards homosexuals, cause you to hate Christianity, because no where in the bible does it say to practice hate.

It's important to understand the key difference between the Old and New Testament. From the beginning, God had declared that the wages of sin is death. That's where the stoning comes in. It wasn't until Jesus came on the scene and paid the price (with His own death) for the sins of all mankind that we entered the age of grace.

The word "repent" literally means "to change one's mind." When someone changes their mind about the need for a Savior (Jesus) their sins are forgiven. Death at the hands of God has been replaced by the grace of God through Jesus.

Still, anyone who does not repent will not see the Kingdom of God. It's not just a homosexual issue. It's the issue of refusing to accept God's grace.

The Old Testament has been thrown out of the window. Women no longer have to sacrifice animals for menstruating, animals are not sacrificed when your house acquires mildew, polyester is an accepted materiel for clothing, pig and shellfish are consumed, and OT laws being ignored is allowable because Jesus came.

All right. so what is all this business about Corinthians and Romans? Well, they are both chapters authered by.....Paul.

Yup. And was Paul a disciple of Jesus? did Paul even know Jesus? evidence points to no. This is why so many Christians (like Uncle Wayne for instance) decry Paul and any of the books he authored. Guys like that will stick to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount teachings, and the recorded works of Jesus' disciples.

The Bible was canonized by the Catholics at the Council of Nicea hundreds of years after Jesus was long gone. and a lot of books just missed the cut. and a lot of books made the cut. and who decided which books made and missed the cut? a council of Roman Catholic bishops at a very homophobic time period.

Paul was also the same guy who wrote Timothy....the chapter that turns women into 2nd class citizens who cannot lead a church. Paul was a homophobic misogynist and its very important to recognize the chapters in the NT he authored IMHO.

It seems every time I read a Bible verse on the subject I am amazed when I research the original language version of the verse, and discover it means a completely different thing than how it was translated in 1607, and how it has been interpreted by most low-mental hate filled Christians on this site.

To discern the BS, I suggest we simply ask "Why?". Why would a religious leader want to discriminate against homosexuals?

According to the Christian scriptures, homosexuality is a form of sin. This is an indication that, according to God, homosexuality is not something a person is born with, but a sin one chooses to partake in. It is a sin.

As with any sin, one who turns from it, repents, and becomes a follower of Christ can be forgiven for it. There are hundreds of passages in the Christian scriptures which teach that saints (followers of Christ) are made free from sin, and that would include homosexuality. Such an example is: Rom. 6:18. Therefore, one who is homosexual is free to turn away from it, repent, and be a Christian.

The difficulty is that contemporary societies teach that homosexuality is not a sin, but it is with a person from birth. Evidently, there have been people who felt this way from the beginning however. This is why homosexuality has been addressed in scriptures both Hebrew and Christian.

Again, however, God makes clear that homosexuality is a choice of that person, not something given to them at birth. Otherwise, why would He condemn them or say that they be stoned? He wouldn't punish someone for a thing given to them at birth.

We can only discern that (if you believe in the Christian scriptures) contemporary teachings on homosexuality differ from what God says about it.

But God does teach repentance. If one truly turned from homosexuality--something that they CAN do, since according to God it IS a sin--if they turn from it, they will no longer be homosexual. They would, then, be heterosexual, as God made them, and could follow Him. Then, they wouldn't be stoned, and they could inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

people were stoned for certain acts that were committed and considered as a death sentence by stoning. Like being caught in adultery, laying with an animal, being sexual with same sex, and for even gathering sticks for a fire on the sabbath. Just because they committed such acts that they received a death sentence doesn't mean that they didn't have a chance to ask for forgiveness before they died. Stephen was stoned and he was a righteous man, and while being stoned, he had asked God to lay not the charge of sin upon them. Also people were not the only ones stoned, animals were also stoned to death if they had killed a person and if the animal had killed a person before at the owner's knowledge, then the owner of the animal was stoned as well.

Hopefully this will help:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11-

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be decieved: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolators 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.

and that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Well, this includes not only homosexuals, but everyone! But look at the last verse. We dont have to continue! We dont have to remain slaves to our sin. Jesus can purify us, wash us from our sins, our past! This amazes me, for I am surely noted in verse 9 and 10. I was very wicked, yet God saved me and still saves me from my sin. So let yourselves be justified in the name of Jesus, He loves you and longs for you! The Bible has nothing to do with hating people. It's all about love! So I urge you to consider Christ, to simply look through the book of Matthew or John to learn more about Him and what He did for us and why.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me.

When Jesus Christ came to take away the sins,taking the punishment we deserve for breaking Gods laws He became our substitute.

When you believe this in your heart and ask Him into your heart and life as you savior and Lord God sees you clothed in the righteousness of His Son through faith and you debt paid in full.

Repentance means to turn away from your sins.

God sees you as a new person, somewhat like giving you a clean slate to start over.

This however does not mean you can stay in a homosexual relationship, it is still sin in Gods eyes.

It is meant for people who do not accept the gift of grace that God gives us through His Son.that you are referring to in scripture.

In the Old Testament that is what would happen because Christ had not come yet. Again being the substitute for us on the cross.

For anatomical reasons, homosexual Intercourse between partners of the same sex is somewhat different from that of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman.

Spiritual book like the Holy Bible is written NOT for the sex education.

Sexual intercourse and homosexual Intercourse are mentioned in the Holy Bible, only to show a comparison

between a 'believer' and an 'unbeliever.'

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