How does the Bible NOT condemn homosexuality?

Discussion in 'Gay & Lesbian Rights' started by Maccabee, Jul 14, 2016.

  1. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Heterosexual Christians are being unbiblical by using the clobber passages as justification for applying absolute standards of morality to homosexual “sins” that they themselves are not tempted to commit, while at the same time accepting for themselves a standard of relative morality for those sins listed in the clobber passages that they do routinely commit.
    Homosexuality is briefly mentioned in only six or seven of the Bible’s 31,173 verses. (The verses wherein homosexuality is mentioned are commonly known as the “clobber passages,” since they are typically used by Christians to “clobber” LGBT people.) The fact that homosexuality is so rarely mentioned in the Bible should be an indication to us of the lack of importance ascribed it by the authors of the Bible.

    While the Bible is nearly silent on homosexuality, a great deal of its content is devoted to how a Christian should behave. Throughout, the New Testament insists upon fairness, equity, love, and the rejection of legalism over compassion. If heterosexual Christians are obligated to look to the Bible to determine the sinfulness of homosexual acts, how much greater is their obligation to look to the Bible to determine the sinfulness of their behavior toward gay persons, especially in light of the gay community’s call to them for justice?

    Some Bible passages pertinent to this concern are:

    Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. — John 8: 7

    Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law — Romans 13:8-10

    Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you — Colossians 3:11-13

    Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. — Matthew 23: 23-24


    If you have never committed a sin, impossible, then you are free to condem others.
    Since you have you simply condem yourself.

    According to your own texts

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    Heterosexual Christians are being unbiblical by using the clobber passages as justification for applying absolute standards of morality to homosexual “sins” that they themselves are not tempted to commit, while at the same time accepting for themselves a standard of relative morality for those sins listed in the clobber passages that they do routinely commit.
    Homosexuality is briefly mentioned in only six or seven of the Bible’s 31,173 verses. (The verses wherein homosexuality is mentioned are commonly known as the “clobber passages,” since they are typically used by Christians to “clobber” LGBT people.) The fact that homosexuality is so rarely mentioned in the Bible should be an indication to us of the lack of importance ascribed it by the authors of the Bible.

    While the Bible is nearly silent on homosexuality, a great deal of its content is devoted to how a Christian should behave. Throughout, the New Testament insists upon fairness, equity, love, and the rejection of legalism over compassion. If heterosexual Christians are obligated to look to the Bible to determine the sinfulness of homosexual acts, how much greater is their obligation to look to the Bible to determine the sinfulness of their behavior toward gay persons, especially in light of the gay community’s call to them for justice?

    Some Bible passages pertinent to this concern are:

    Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. — John 8: 7

    Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law — Romans 13:8-10

    Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you — Colossians 3:11-13

    Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. — Matthew 23: 23-24


    If you have never committed a sin, impossible, then you are free to condem others.
    Since you have you simply condem yourself.

    According to your own texts
     
  2. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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    First, its God's word so yes, God is saying that its a sin. Second, sin is something that God also hates and abomination means sin.

    Please show me then. In my opinion you're making a mountain out of a mole hill when it comes to wording in this case.


    Ditto.

    So is bestiality natural to man kind?

    Please read verse 27.
     
  3. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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    Love doesn't mean I'm at liberty to marry anyone or anything I feel like and it doesn't mean I address someone doing wrong. In fact it's the opposite. It's out of love that I tell you to stop hurting yourself.
     
  4. Taxpayer

    Taxpayer Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It's out of arrogance.



     
  5. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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    True, but this thread is about homosexuality. Now if this was about adultery then I'll lay down all the verses condemning that also.

    Or that hardly anyone was practicing it at that time. Though these first quotes are illogical. We're not discussing whether or not we should use the scriptures, were arguing on whether the scriptures says anything about homosexuality. Since you agree then the argument is over between us but I'll address the rest of your post.

    A lot more.

    The sin was not being just in the accusation. If they were being just then they would bring the other party.

    There's such a thing as tough love you know.

    Ok.

    Homosexuality is not a gnat especially in modern times.

    If you haven't commited the SAME sin then you are free to help others in that sin. Even in the parable of taking the law out of your own eye indicates that you must first free yourself of the sin your brother is commuting before helping him with his sin.

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    Repeat.

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    Here's an example. I see you with needles hanging from your body. It's out of love that not only I don't ignore you but take the needles out.
     
  6. cd8ed

    cd8ed Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The bible condemns many things - what relevance do you think those laws should have on members of society that do not believe and legal principles?
     
  7. Taxpayer

    Taxpayer Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    And then someone dies because you arrogantly removed their IV.



     
  8. Polydectes

    Polydectes Banned

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    I think it's rather odd that Christians say they believe the bible is the word of God. First, if it is indeed the word of God Christians abandoned it about 600 years ago, because the biblical teachings are largely immoral. So if you're saying it is the word of God, you are saying necessarily that God is immoral when you don't kill homosexuals, and people who have sex while their wives are on their menses. It commands you to do that in the same book you are quoting to me.

    Second it doesn't say it's a sin.

    No, it doesn't.



    "First, its God's word" This is a leap. Nothing proves that it's God's word.
    "God is saying that its a sin."This is a leap. We already covered the fact that it's a leap to assume the bible is God's word. This is about abomination. If God wrote the bible why be so cryptic? I have to take a leap to get that abomination means sin.


    Everyone is entitled to an opinion.




    I am not the one trying to pass off what I think as the word of God. You ate doing what many Christians do. You're projecting your prejudices on to God, and you're taking some huge leaps to do so.



    No.


    Okay, in the verse it talks about men leaning what is natural.

    Homosexuality is natural to homosexuals so they didn't leave what is natural.
     
  9. Polydectes

    Polydectes Banned

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    But I'm doing what is natural to me. By telling me to abandon what is natural and give into lust you are telling me to disregard Paul's teaching.

    That isn't out of love it's out of arrogance.

    Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:42
     
  10. Polydectes

    Polydectes Banned

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    It's worse than that, it's sometimes flat out immoral.

    It forbids women teachers. 1 Timothy 2:12. Endorsing genocide, 1 Samuel 15:3 Slaughtering healers, Exodus 22:18 (in those days someone who knew of medicinal substances was a witch.) Mass infanticide psalms 137.
     
  11. Gorn Captain

    Gorn Captain Banned

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    So you accept ALL the condemnations from Leviticus....or just the ones you want to cherry-pick and say "This counts....that one doesn't."?
     
  12. DoctorWho

    DoctorWho Well-Known Member

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    Christians are told in the Scriptures to look in the mirror and judge only that person.

    Matthew 7:5

    2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

    3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

    4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

    5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.


    ****************************************************

    Most People that are so very busy looking at and judging other peoples lives, are not busy enough taking care of their own issues and acknowledging and repenting their own sins, it has nothing to do with that person committing the same sin, it is about the multitude of sins involved in making yourself a judge over your brother.
     
  13. Gorn Captain

    Gorn Captain Banned

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    So would you use your vote and your political voice to see to it that the Government enforces laws prohibiting those things you consider sins....

    or would you "tolerate it, ignore it, enable it."?
     
  14. DoctorWho

    DoctorWho Well-Known Member

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    How about none of the above ?

    If something is a Sin, that person simply needs not practice it, regardless of what others may do or not do.

    Philippians 2:12King James Version (KJV)

    12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

    Mark 9:

    38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

    39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

    40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
     
  15. Battle3

    Battle3 Well-Known Member

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    Paul used the language of his day, not the English language of the 21st century. Like I wrote, you have to read it in the context of the time.

    For example, the word "foreigner" in the Bible (and in Judaism) means a person who lives peacefully in your community and who wants to become a part of your community. Not someone who just comes to work, or a refugee who flees from his land and wants to return home one day, but a person who wants to leave his old life and home to adopt the Jewish way of life. "Strangers" are people who live in the community but do not want to become a part of the community, they retain their old culture and have no desire to adopt the Jewish culture and will eventually return to their home. "Strangers" are to be treated kindly and not to be cheated, but they are not to be treated s native born.

    That's why you have to read in the proper context, not in 21 st century English.
     
  16. DoctorWho

    DoctorWho Well-Known Member

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    Leviticus 19:34

    "But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."

    See how false information gets started ???
     
  17. Battle3

    Battle3 Well-Known Member

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    Christianity is voluntary, nowhere does it require a Christian to force Christian beliefs on non-Christian's. Christians preach, spread the word, work and be an example, but nobody can force someone to be a Christian. I would not pass a law outlawing homosexual marriage, but I would also not remain silent - I would speak out that it is a sin, I would not associate with organizations that promote a homosexual lifestyle, I would use my time and money and property and influence the people around me. But I would not put a gun to someones head (which is what happens when the govt demands you do something) and make them "obey".
     
  18. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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    All of it.

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    What do you mean by that?

    - - - Updated - - -

    I was speaking of drug addicts.
     
  19. SFJEFF

    SFJEFF New Member

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    That is some rationalization for ignoring the plain language of the Bible and interpreting the Bible anyway you desire.
     
  20. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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    It doesn't commands me it commands the government to enforce it if they are to follow God's teachings. The Bible speaks against taking the law into your own hands. That's why I will object to killing abortionists and shooting up gay clubs.
    Actually, I'm not sure if sin is even mentioned in the KJV. Could be wrong though. But abomination means sin.

    Yes it does.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abomination_(Bible)


    It's infallibility gives evidence does and I believe in 1 or 2 Timothy or Titus says as much but I forgot at this time.

    Not really. You stated its not.

    What's so cryptic about abomination meaning sin?
    You haven't disproved my opinion.



    Show me where.


    Why?

    Having relations with animals is natural to zoophiles.

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    Said the pot.
     
  21. Maccabee

    Maccabee Well-Known Member

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  22. DoctorWho

    DoctorWho Well-Known Member

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    "[​IMG] Originally Posted by Gorn Captain [​IMG]So you accept ALL the condemnations from Leviticus....or just the ones you want to cherry-pick and say "This counts....that one doesn't."?



    If one accepts that as fact, then you have fully rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
     
  23. Battle3

    Battle3 Well-Known Member

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    No, that's the standard used by all people who read ancient literature. You do not read the Iliad, or Carmina Burana poetry as if it was written in modern English with a 21st century perspective. If you want to understand what the writer intended to convey, you read in the context of the writer. That's just basic academic honesty.
     
  24. DoctorWho

    DoctorWho Well-Known Member

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    You just did that yourself and was dishonest in not admitting it.
     
  25. Johnny-C

    Johnny-C Well-Known Member

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    So what if it does?!

    People have a HUMAN right to not have religious beliefs IMPOSED upon them... and BY LAW that is so, in this society. (Thank goodness.)

    I respect that a person can personally deal with the issue of their 'sexuality' as befits their beliefs/values, but this insanity of PROJECTING those beliefs upon others, who may not fit or ascribe to those same beliefs... is nothing but a formula for oppression and strife. We KNOW this, from history.
     

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