Why do you suppose people use the Bible against homosexuals all the time?

Question

But when it comes to murderers and other source of violence, or theft, no one uses the Bible then?

I mean, I know the scripture "Whoever is without sin be the first to pitch the stone."

I feel homosexuals so be respected as much as heterosexual (I'm heterosexual myself).

I'm just curious as to what your theories are?

Answer 1

Most Bible translations convey a negative approach to homosexuality; however, as a Bible scholar I can tell you that these passages have some ambiguity and can be translated in other ways that are less hurtful (and probably more accurately as well.)

You are correct that people have a funny way of pointing to sexual behavior as being worse than other "sins" -- my personal theory on this is that as long as we are thinking about sex, we don't have to focus on other things that are important to God, such as how the poor are treated. Remember, Sodom and Gomorrah were not destroyed because of homosexuality or rampant fornication, but as we are told in Ezekiel, because of their treatment of the poor. If we had to think about poverty, we might have to do something about it, and what that would likely mean is that some would have to lower their standard of living so that others could have more to live on. Now, there's a thought that for many is quite uncomfortable!

Answer 2

Even when Jesus said that whoever is without sin should cast the first stone it didn't mean to respect the sinful behavior...people should be respected, but behaviors can be looked down upon and people do not have to accept every ones behaviors! I think sometimes people use the bible as an excuse to condemn and hate others but that is not what it teaches...people do not have to accept homosexuality but they should always be open to understanding a persons sin because everyone, including the people who use the bible have sinned. People of course will interpret this differently but if God hated the way that some so called Christians hated then we would all be doomed to hell!

Answer 3

Where do you live?

There are many, many homosexuals where I live - they are accepted, and respected as part of our community.

I, too, am heterosexual, but I don't care if someone has other preferences, as do many of the "straight" population here.

Violence is about power - has nothing to do with sexual preference. Theft is in the Bible.. read on; but it too, has nothing to do with sexual preference.

You must realize what you are reading. This is a book that has been around for a long time; times and people and attitudes change. Why do you think so many "new" religions have emerged? New Hope, Calvary, etc.?

Answer 4

First I take offense to anyone who says I am a homophobe because I believe homosexuality is a sin. I have had gay friends in the past, and we have had long discussions about it and they accepted me as I am just as I accepted them the way they were. I can accept the person, but I do not have to agree with that persons choices for their life. I believe homosexuality is a sin, but so is lying, cheating, stealing, murder, adultery, abusing any substance, alcohol or other wise. I have known people who have done all but murder and I have not judged them anymore than I judge myself. I cannot say to someone that they are terrible for their choices and they are evil without first pointing the finger at myself, why, because all sin is equally bad, I know its a strange concept because the consequences of different sin is different, but they all do the same thing, keep us from a relationship with God, and God sees them as the same. The Bible is against violence against other people and theft etc. Hypocrites are the ones who are usually spewing the venom and they are embarrassing and I fear that their position in heaven is not secure, because they are not acting out what they claim to believe.

Answer 5

Personally, I think that the Bible should be used for all of these things. The 10 commandments state that "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and Thou Shalt Not Steal" therefore obviously the Bible should be used. I think that the difference is that some "religious" people are also self-righteous and use the Bible only to benefit themselves. Yes, the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin (Remember Sodom and Gomorrah), but so is murder and theft. I am a Christian, but I am not self-righteous by anymeans. It is not our place to judge our fellow humans, leave it up to God and he will take care of it in the end.

Answer 6

I can recall when my secretary told me she was a Lesbian I have no problems with her very human, my secretary is married and her partner are the first couple to marry here in our town. The 2 ladies have occasional troubles at times about the bible. My secretary''s partner is from a religion which I may refer to as very Puritan or (Black Stocking). The reason why I hired her is that many jobs were in a area where the Boss and employees her sexual identity discriminated. This is powerful stuff at 1 point she became ill and for health reason couldn't proceed to function in an office because she couldn't handle the pressure anymore. When I hired her she needed self-eestem we worked long on that everyday during work or in private it took a long time and we were having progress, she was even feeling better but still too ill to function a full day's job. Her partner has the same problems. The 2 live nearby and I would come to chat at there parties or even just in between when it comes best out for them. I've had a gay man to do my editing for a magazine we were working on. He too had more problems than the Lesbian couple they are more sensitive to the politics that rejects them in society its more a discrimination from society, they live further in the country where its quiet and have neighbor's and a small business . He worked on short projects here and there.

Answer 7

think about it, the bible says to basically rid your village of murderers and thieves and such. i cant exactly remember the scripture, but i did research on it in college. we do throw the book at these people by locking them up. all our laws are based what the bible says. but nobody can say homosexuals are a danger to society. they don't harm anyone, they may offend a few people, god made Adam and eve, not Adam and Adam or eve or eve. we are meant to have baby's and a man and a man cant have a baby. nor can eve and eve, they should be respected as individuals, but its still a sin. but not a good enough one to condemn them for, they are WAY different than murderers or thieves. the bible actually says to kill murders. that's where the death penalty came about.......being homosexual, isn't murder, and i cant see how they will make a law saying you cant love someone. that's just something we all have to let God sort out.

Answer 8

Because some people pick and choose parts to satisfy an agenda - mostly as they have little other ground to stand on. It's not an anomaly that the Bible is used to condemn homosexuals, it's also been used to justify slavery, child beating, and the oppression of women.

Justification for being content in slavery:
1 Timothy 6:1
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered.

Justification for beating children:
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Justification for male domination:
1 Corinthians 11:3
Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.


More to your point, the Bible also condemns eating fat and getting tattoos. I don't see either preached about or the following versus followed.

Leviticus 19:28 (New International Version)
28 " 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.

Leviticus 3:17
" 'This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.' "

Also, to those who state that the above is from the old testament and really only applies to the "old" law .. the following is from the new testament:


Corinthians 11:5
And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved.

1 Corinthians 11:6
If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.



I think that the anti-homosexuallity (particularly the gay-marriage ban) is coming up recently to drive up the fundamentalist turnout at the voting booth. It also redirects people's energy from real issues.

Answer 9

It's called ignorance, darling. Most people rather use religion to persecute those who don't believe like they do instead of trying to understand and be accepting. Of course they're not gonna look at murder, theft, and other forms of violence as sin because it's too easy for them to do that. Fear is another factor because they think that evey gay person is gonna corrupt their moral fiber when their's is already jacked up in the first place. I'm glad that you're open minded and it's a wonderful thing. Don't let anyone change your way of thinking. Don't pay no mind to the "holy rollers" because they're the first ones to fall into Hell with a big ol' thud! Be well, my dear.

Answer 10

The Bible speaks against all of those things but people dont generally like theives or murderers so you dont need to tell them why you believe it's wrong. Homosexuals arent bad people by default but the Bible speaks out against that also sooooo that makes people bring up what the Bible says about it. If a person isnt Christian or in another religion that is opposed to homosexuality and they still dont like it, the only thing they can say is "it's just gross"