Christianity and Homosexuality

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Christianity and Homosexuality.... Category: Religion and Philosophy The [Christian] Bible and Homosexuality By: Jessica Hoerr I Terms and Definitions: Christianity – Christianity is, typically, a belief in the teachings of Jesus the Christ. It is a belief that He is the Son of God and the Son of Man, Alpha and Omega, and the Messiah prophesied in the Holy Texts of the prophets. Belief in the resurrection of Christ, endowment of the Holy Spirit, and the Bible are also normally beliefs included in Christianity. Popular Christianity – We'll note now that, yes, this one is a tad different from Christianity. Unfortunately, it's also what nearly everyone claims or thinks is Christianity, and it's been giving Christians a bad name for a while. Another name for this might be embellished Christianity. Basically, it is a faith in the Church or the Clergy, a faith that whatever they say on matters pertaining to the Bible and the Spirit. People that follow this version of Christianity almost never have actually read the Bible, are unable to list the Ten Commandments, and are laden with other woes and ignorance that is found easily in the Scripture. It's this type of Christianity that creates so many problems and misconceptions, especially thanks to the Catholic Church and the Papacy being able to say whatever they wanted about the Bible and be infallible. Misconceptions that sprout from this form of Christianity include Hell, homosexuality is a sin, the Deadly Sins, etc. Those misconceptions spawned from this form of Christianity are what we'll be covering. Sin – Here's a word some people use a tad liberally. A sin is simply a transgression against God and His Laws. Cursing is not sinful, but cursing God is. Lashing out in anger is ALSO not sinful. Jesus Christ Himself did it on at least two occasions. Once in the Temple, and once on a road, striking a fig tree with withering plague. Also, just because it is sinful does not mean it is horrendously wrong. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. And that's a Biblical fact. II On the Topic of Levitican Law: I've noticed that a lot of people use Leviticus as their bible reference to smite homosexuality. But, you see, Leviticus doesn't work. And here's why. -Leviticus 19:27, NIV Wrote: "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." So. Those that shave are sinning. -Leviticus 19:19, NIV Wrote: "Keep my decrees. Do not mate different kinds of animals. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." So. Those that crop in cycles, wear polyester cotton mixes, or breed mules are sinning. Why just pick at the verses against homosexuals? -Acts 15:24-29, NIV Wrote: "24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul– 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell." So. There you have it. BIBLICAL proof that Leviticus is no longer in effect. If you are Christian, you are not to follow the Levitican laws, as mentioned in Acts 15. If you are Jewish, either follow all the laws, or just realize that you're not doing so hot as a Jew and don't follow any. III But What About the "Sexual Immorality" Mentioned in Acts 15? In Acts 15, it mentions sexual immorality, which, to some people, includes homosexuality. This is not so. My research, as well as others', has led me to know that these verses refer to incest, beastiality, and lustful sex. The sexual relations mentioned in the book of Romans were inappropriate due to their lustful intentions. God does not condone lust or wanton fornication. In Fact: -1 Corinthians 6:12-18, NIV Wrote: "'Everything is permissible for me'—but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me'—but I will not be mastered by anything. 'Food for the stomach and the stomach for food'—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh' But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body." This says that sex without marriage commitment is immoral and wrong. This is the only definition of sexual immorality given in the New Testament, unless someone can prove otherwise? But after that comes: -1 John 4:7-12, NIV Wrote: "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." Well. Not only does that say that love comes from God, therefore making ANY loving relationship God approved, it also tells people to STOP HATING EACH OTHER. This includes homosexuals, strangely enough. IV A Matter of Religion or just Social Acceptance? I've now proved that the bible does not consider homosexuality a sin, but I'm sure you're still sitting there thinking to yourself "But it's still wrong!". My question for you is a very simple one: Why? Is it the way you were brought up or because you just simply have not been exposed to it? If you're a Christian it doesn't mean you have to select a certain group of people and slander them. What do you think Hitler did? Selected a group of people and slandered them. Also killed them. Not just Jews, though. It spread. Catholics. Gypsies. Homosexuals. Disabled people. Anyone that he didn't think was perfect for his Aryan race. Ironically, he wasn't even good enough. Lets face it. Diversity happens. The same goes to racists, sexists, etc. Are we not all human? The way you came out when you were born shouldn't change that fact. I leave you with this: First they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Catholic... Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Communist... Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Jew... Then they came for the homosexuals, and I did not speak up because I wasn't a homosexual... Then they came for me... and there was no one left to say anything... Silence is acceptance. Speak Loudly. How long until they come for you?