How do you justify homosexuality?

Question

I am sick of all the gay bashing. I have read all the sources that talk about homosexuality being nature, not nurture. But I can't figure out how it can not be a sin according to the Bible. All the verses seem to point to yes, it is a sin (although I haven't found anything that says it is any worse than any other sin!). To those of you who do, how do you do it?

(Please don't give me "you can't!" or "the Bible is full of crap" kind of answers. I know very well you may not be able to, or that you may feel it is, but for those who do explain it away, I want to know how.)

This is a serious question, not a debate in the form of a question.

yes, I know all the studies, which is why I am having a hard time with it. I also believe in tolerance, and letting people make their own decisions. I am looking for logic in ignoring Biblical warnings about it, kind of like deazone's answer.

And it's in the New Testament too, in Romans, not just under old laws which we do not follow.

I don't want to believe it's a sin. But I have nothing to stand on when people tell me it is. This is why I am asking. I didn't mean for it to be bad.

and btw, I totally respect all people. This is not a matter of respect, it is a matter of what do I tell people who tell me it is a sin. This must have been a very poorly worded question. I am sorry if I offended anyone. That was not my intent.

I inquire outside sources because there are different ways to interpret the Bible.

Answer 1

Easy -- The Bible was written during a cultural period when homosexuality was not in the best interest of the larger group. The Jews were surrounded on all sides by cultures who opposed homosexuality and they were vastly outnumbered. Homosexuality thus could bring down the wrath of the surrounding cultures while potentially reducing the number of births. Such a prohibition made sense culturally at the time.

Further, there are the health issues to consider. As a gay man, I can tell you that even modern men don't all know how to keep themselves properly clean in front and back -- and we have proper bathing facilities. In the times the Bible was written, they didn't. Back in those days, a good urinary tract infection was a near-certain death sentance.

This prohibition no longer makes the slightest cultural sense. Judism nor Christianity are no longer under threat of being wiped off the face of the earth, the first by the Diaspora, the second by sheer numbers. The health issue is still a potential issue, but we have knowledge of proper hygeine upon which to act.

Further, at the time, they could not understand the genetic components of homosexuality. They did not have a concept of genetics. The sin of onan (spilling one's seed) was considered murder because it was believed that the fully created being existed in the man's seed, and that the woman was simply the oven in which it grew. We now know that there are multiple genetic markers that indicate a predisposition towards homosexuality. So we are left with no choice but to either close our eyes and stick our fingers in our ears and ignore the science, OR, we must accept that God created homosexuals with an intrinsic predisposition towards a whole different kind of sin. This would not be the mark of a loving God.

So then. The cultural aspects are null and void as they no longer exist. The assumption that it is sinful despite its genetic basis (and genetic basis in other animals, proving that homosexuality is not 'unnatural') goes against the idea of an all-loving God.

Homosexuality is not a sin.

Answer 2

Leviticus also says it's a sin for women to wear pants and gives 9 million reasons we should stone people to death, but we convienently left that part out. Besides, Jesus said he started a new convenant which kind of makes the Old Testament just historical reference anyway. The laws written in there were the laws of man and not God. Back in those days procreation was necessary for the furthering of our species. So it was bad for people to be gay b/c they weren't having any babies. Now we are in danger of over population so if 2% of the population is unable to produce children so what??

And yeah, it is something inherent that you're born with. Gay people kill themselves all the time and lead one of the hardest lives you can lead in the world today. Why would anyone choose that? There are some countries where the government murders gay people and there are still gay people. If you could just turn it off and make a different choice I figure you would if YOUR LIFE WAS AT STAKE!

That being the case I don't think God really cares.

Answer 3

Dear Friend
For your kind info I am not a homo but tell me what do you call a sin? I would say the general meaning of sin is hurting someone in any way. If two same sex people want to have a relationship, will it harm you? You can say that it may harm society whatsoever but there are many other things that are more harmful. The difference between good and bad is decided by how much happiness is there in it. Every pleasure in life comes with some kind of pain and if pleasure outweighs the pain then it doesn't change anything significantly.

Answer 4

It's not a matter or justifying homosexuality, it's a question of WHY they need to justify their lifestyles to anyone. No one ever said that homosexuality wasn't a sin, but it's no worse than cheating, lying, or stealing. It creates controversy without cause. No one should have to justify their lifestyle to anyone else, unless it comes along as against the law, which homosexuality should never be marked as. It's not against the law, it's against religious law, and even some people don't see it that way.

Answer 5

First of all, I don't justify homosexuality at all, or any other sin. I'm not throwing stones but like you said the bible if full of verses that tell us it is a sin & wrong. If you haven't read the following verses please do.

Lev.18:22 & 20:13 Rom 1:18-32 I Corth 6:9-11
I Tim 1:9-11
There are degree's of sin, if you have hate for someone in your heart, or you murder them, thats different in God's eyes. If you feel like your "gay" & not act on it, it's different than acting on it. But Jesus died for ALL our sins if we just accept Him in our heart. Hope this helps

Answer 6

Its not a sin because if you believe God created us, then he created everyone including those who are Gay, Bi and Straight.

The bible is a guide to life at the time it was written and has the opinions of those who helped write it and edit it.

It has also had vast amounts deleted from it by various Popes and those in power at the time.

I suggest you simply respect people for what they are rather than there sexual preferences

Answer 7

If a gay couple want to get it on, I can't see how I am harmed in any way. That's how I justify it.

Sure, the Bible condmens it, but the Bible also tells you to bring disobedient children to the city gates to be stoned to death. Do you do that too? The Bible condones slavery. Do you? Your morals are HIGHER than the barbaric crap in the Buybull. You should be telling IT what is moral and what isn't, not the other way around.

Answer 8

No offense sweetie, but it's pretty simple. Homosexuality doesn't need to be "justified" because it's a form of human sexuality. That would seriously be asking "How do you justify being straight?"

Second of all, just because the Bible says something doesn't mean it is the truth. If you're going to base your beliefs on a BOOK instead of making up your own mind about something then why inquire outside of your teachings in the first place?

Answer 9

1. It does not hurt anybody else.
2. It is no one else's business.
3. Free will.
4. This is America.
5. If you don't subscribe to the Bible than you shouldn't be
expected to live by it's rules.
6. Gays are human beings.
7. Gays are citizens.

Answer 10

...-The same way you "justify" red hair. It's something that IS. Another one of God's mysterious ways... Deal with it. There are far more important things to be concerned about- than other peoples sexuality. This should NOT be a question to "debate" . It's time we got over Ourselves- & looked at the big picture...