Question for people who think homosexuality is a sin?

Question

Good morning, I'm an agnostic not wanting to convert anyone.

One of the things I have done in the past is to make fun of people who think homosexuality is a sin. This might have been unfair, since I never really asked anyone who thought homosexuality was a sin. So in the interest of creating a database of answers here on yahoo, to those who think that homosexuality is a sin, why do you think that.

And just curious also, if you feel the need to quote Leviticus 18:22, please read Leviticus 11:9-12, and when you type that God thinks homosexuality is an abomination, be sure an address why shrimp is an abomination.

Also, please explain why some Christians say the Old Testement doesn't apply after Jesus's death on the cross, but they reference Leviticus 18:22 when they say how God feels about homosexuality.

Thanks.

Answer 1

God never changes and anyone who says that the Old Testament is null and void is wrong.

Answer 2

16 answers in the first 11 minutes... not bad.

A lot of Christians really botch up the whole "Old Testament/New Testament" thing. The reason that some "OT" rules apply and some do not depend on where they reside in the OT.

As a Christian, I believe that one of the things that happend through Christ was freedom from "The Law" which included things like "don't eat ham or shrimp" and some of the other things that we tend to find either strange or downright distasteful. Therefore, homosexuality was named a sin before the Law was created and when we were freed from the Law that did not free us from the things outside the Law.

And yes, homosexuality is referenced in Leviticus in the laws, but it also was referenced before the law existed--"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (TNIV; Genesis 2:23-24)" Also, Genesis 19 and Ezekiel 16 reference Sodom and Gomorrah, as also in the New Testament book of Jude 1:7: "In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion."

So there are references outside of the Law to show and support the idea of Homosexuality as a sin.

Let's look at the definition of "sin" next: "The Greek word in the New Testament that is translated in English as "sin" is hamartia, which literally means missing the target. Consequently, salvation is viewed more in terms of reconciliation and vastly improved relationships. These two perspectives are not necessarily mutually exclusive. 1 John 3:4 states: "Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness." (NRSV)"

I'm going to go with that definition: missing the mark.

So, with that definition--homosexuality is missing the mark of what we should be. So is lying. So is murder. So is gossip. So is theft.

Some people do not see homosexuality as a sin. Some people do not see lying or gossip as a sin. Heck, some people don't see theft and murder as a sin.

I hope I've respectfully answered and addressed your concerns.

Answer 3

And a good morning to you too....read the New Testament as well. The prohibitions of same sex relations carried over to Paul's letters to the new Christian churches too.

Below is an earlier answer to a similar question:

______________________________________________________



Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner

God loves all of us.


Fluffy,

Your question was:
Here's an additional question Cris...why would being transgendered be a sin?

My answer:
You may not agree or like my answer, but you did ask. So here it goes.

Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:21-24, Genesis 19 all make references to homosexuality and sexual perversions. Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13 bears pretty much the same messages.

****For those that like to dismiss those because they are Old Testament, we have **Romans 1:27 that warns us to stay away from unnatural, shameful and perverse acts. **1 Corinthians 6:9 and** 1 Timothy 1:9-10 also mention prohibitions against homosexuality and related perversions.

And we have all heard the part about women not wearing garments pertaining to men and vice versa. This is what some religions base their prohibition of the women wearing pants, any pants, but what it really speaks of is homosexuality and related issues.

I don't personally condemn all the people in this world burdened with all these issues. I have sympathy because I know its a real cross to bear. And even the Church doesn't just automatically say these people will go to hell. But they also must not act on unnatural and disordered desires, even if that means they must become celibate.

Jesus tells us, if your eye offends you, pluck it out and if your hand offends you cut it off. A little extreme yes, but you get the gist of the meaning?

Fundamental truth never changes even though we may not like it.

Answer 4

Good Morning to you Mr Darwin as well. First of all thank you for being so polite in the delivery of your question.
Secondly I believe that what ever the bible labels as sin, is sin. Further more I believe that the word of GOD is GOD breathed from Gen. 1:1 to Rev 22:21. (2Tim 3:16-17) The bible is very clear that homosexuality is sin. See Rom 1:26-27 for a New Testament rendering. As to the shrimp thing, it was an abomination because GOD says it was an abomination simple as that. We do not have to know why GOD does the things that he does.... Also the old covenant applied only to the Jewish people or those who converted to there religion. The old covenant (testament) was abolished when CHRIST was crucified ushering in the new covenant (testament), which all men every where are invited to receive (John 1:12). (see all of Hebrews for detailed description)
Also, the old testament does not apply in the sense that it is no longer the way for the Jewish people to come to GOD. They now have to except the the New Covenant to get to GOD. Again, homosexuality is undeniably mentioned in the New Testament as sin. ~GOD BLESS YOU AND LEAD YOU INTO ALL TRUTH~

Answer 5

I'm off topic, and in a much less confrontational mood.

I'm also not answering your question! Sorry. I just don't have much to say on homosexuality. I mind my own business.

I think same-sex marriage, as a state-created benefit, is another matter. I think the issue is not straight and gay, but men and women. They are equal under the law but not identical. They're a matched set!

I think we can, and should, debate what family units deserve recognition, support and benefits, and which don't. That's why we have elections. But I don't see it as something a judge can just impose out of some kind of "fairness." And I can't see the analogy to interracial marriage. We don't allow racial segregation (thank God! Or rather, the civil rights movement - that really was an unintended pun), but we allow separate men's and women's bathrooms, etc. Clearly there are distinctions based on sex that are not allowed based on race.

I also believe - just a hunch - that homosexuality is a behavior with a genetic component. Lots of behaviors, from left-handedness to obesity to alcoholism, are also thought to be so. Some are deemed harmful, some not.

I think our society needs to debate this on a secular basis. I see abortion as a deep moral wrong, but (as I've posted elsewhere) I don't see a way we can or should force a woman to gestate a pregnancy against her will. If we did, we wouldn't be the type of society we are. It's not my job to keep people from going to Hell.

There may well be secular, scientific arguments that would lead to the conclusion that homosexuality is "undesirable." Again, not my issue. I have my own life.

As for same-sex marriage, I came across, without looking for it, a web site which is supposed to state a comprehensive case against gay marriage.

I have not read it. I do not endorse it or condemn it - that comes from NOT HAVING READ IT! I assume it's VERY, VERY conservative, and offensive to some.

but what the heck. it's what some are thinking:

http://www.princetonprinciples.org/

You're a bright guy - I'll give you that.

Have a good one! :)

Answer 6

Aside from the Christian point of view, one can look at it as a matter of nature. All throughout nature, there is male and female. They complement one another, regardless of whether you believe we are created or just a process of evolution, both processes point to survival and continuance through male and female as a pair. Male parts complementing female parts.

And by the way, the technical definition of the word "sin" is to miss the mark. As well, the word perverted (not to be taken as a slanderous remark) means to have backwards thinking. So when a person says that homosexuality is a sin, or perverted, they are truly saying that a homosexual is thinking or acting backwards than the "norm", or they are missing the mark... not getting the point. Men and women are meant for one another.

Also, dont bring shrimp into this. It has nothing to do with sin. Scholars believe God banned all seafood that didnt have scales because they were considered unclean. (possibly, the people of 2-6 thousand years ago didnt know how to properly prepare shellfish so that they wouldnt be made sick by it.). Speaking of which, lobster, shimp, etc are all trash feeders. They filter the crap of the ocean as their diet. Yummy.

And Finally, Christians do believe Christ completed the old testament so that our sins wouldnt condemn us to hell, as long as we believe in him and follow his ways. But even though Christ allowed us direct asses to God and Forgiveness, it doesnt mean God has changed his mind about what he considers right and wrong. Please don't make this a hard issue to understand. Besides, if you are an agnostic, you should'nt truly be caring what God says or doesn't say, because you technically dont believe in Him.

Although I will say this, if there is a God, (which, yes, I do believe there is) then it doesn't matter what the rest of us think, or have an opinion on, agnostic, jew, christian, muslim, atheist... He is right, any other opinion is wrong. Yes, that is black and white and harsh, but we all know that most things have absolute truths. In mathematics, science, etc. So if there is a God, and it is the God of the Bible, then I will do my best to learn about him and follow his ways, for he created me and loves me. And yes, he loves you too, even if you don't believe in Him. I hope this answer helps.

Answer 7

I know you are a short term thinker and I will give you a short term answer. If you wish more we can email each other.

By the way, "agnostic" is the greatest cop-out term ever as it sounds like you thought about something deeply and came to no conclusion. It really is to me a heady definition for one who has no clue.

But this is not the issue.

In all fairness, as a Christian, I follow the Bible. On one level I think homosexuality is an abomination because God said so (remember, I am a Christian...) in the "holy book". I do not question God because if I accept him as God then he certainly knows more than me! So my god is God's creation and not my creation of him.

This answers your shrimp question also. But, later we can talk about that....you actually have a good point. You see, God said never for men to shave or cut the hair on the sides of their head. That is why Orthodox jews have the curls. Now, do I question that? Not really, but I shave! So the shrimp question goes with the hair question which goes with the homo question, sort of.

But the homo question is easier to answer.

There isn't a religion in the world that condones homosexuality (that word is too long..) and religious or not, society has always rejected it. Yeah, you may find an exception or two....but for thousands and thousands of years it has been considered weird, illegal, sick, twisted. But to maintain a society, there must be boundaries and we have to keep the world going. Personally it is gross. If you think its ok good for you.

And would your next question be about beastiality? Pedophilia? I ask you, where does it end? What is wrong with beastiality and pedophilia? So, unless you accept these taboos, then you are just like me except we have drawn our line in the sand at different places. I would feel safer following God who , (if he is and I do think he is...) has been around quite alot longer than you or me, for we will be dead and gone in relatively short order, than to follow some liberal spewings in a decaying society. Remember Rome?

Jesus and old testasment? Can't say I ever heard that one but I could clarify some things if you email me.

Put me on that list you are thinking about.

Has beastiality ever hurt anyone? Maybe you could tell your friends that beastiality and pedophilia are just grand and then see how many cocktail parties you aren't invited to! But if you reject those things then why are you so much more enlightened than I?

Agnosticate on that!!

ps...I have thought about this before and was just waiting for the right time. Thanks

ron

Answer 8

The Old testament is a very important part of the Bible and is not dismissed, the law of sin and death (sinning will lead to eternal damnation) is no longer applicable after Christ who was the New Covenant with God. Under the New Covenant, sin is cleaned in the sight of God by the blood sacrifice of Christ.
New testament verses on Homosexuality:
1 Timothy 10, 1 Cor. 6:9, Romans 1:26-27 Homosexuality is a sin! But so is lying (not telling the truth) are you hung up on that one or is it just Homosexuality? I personally know more people who lie!

Answer 9

Here's the answer to one of your sub-questions: some Christians pick and choose what scriptures matter and which ones don't.
It's true that there are references in the new testament that address the issues of homosexuality, depending on your interpretation of what they say.
The reason that I view homosexuality as a sin is that I believe that God has spoken to current prophets about the issue and said so. I can give you sources from the leaders of the LDS church, but they're not hard to find.
However, I want to add a caveat. I don't think that if someone is a homosexual, they should be shunned. Mormons also believe that drinking alcohol is a sin, but if I chose to shun anyone who did that, I would be very lonely. the truth is that we can love, respect, and work with people who we don't agree with. One of my best friends while I was working on my bachelors degree was gay. We had good times working together and I like to think that we're still friends even though we're in different locations.
I hope that covers you question.

Answer 10

People make the statement that the Old Testament does not apply because when JEsus was here He told them of different things. However He also stated that He did not come to change the law but to fullfill the law. He had come and paid the price for all sind so they o longer needed to sacrifice animals for blood atonment. He had been the ultimate blood atonement.
I see why they would refer to Lev. 18:22.However I prefer to use of the New Testament 1 Corinthians 6: 9-20. This gives a full picture of not just sexual immorality but of other sins as well. In here God tells us to flee from sexual immorality, I hope you enjoy reading.the verses.

Answer 11

Well I've never looked it up. So first thanks for the references. I don't really feel it's a sin, I want to say that if it was an abomination, god wouldn't allow it. But I have found that god is a god of mystery. If it is,then if you are a homosexual, you will have to deal with it on judgment day. Of course all of humanity will have to face judgment day. And you can't tell me that people don't sin. I swear some make a living out of it. But like you I'm not trying to change anyone. So live your life to the fullest, and try to be good.