gay marriage lifestyle - Liberal nut asking bible questions?

Question

Hey there!

I was reading something today about how part of my church is seperating from us becuase of our acceptance of "non traditional" unions :)

Anyhow, it mentioned that jesus never said anything against homosexuality or sexualaity in general?? Is this true? I know I haven't read anyhting that says this but it wouldn't be the first time i missed somthing while reading.

Also, it made an interesting point about this church (episcopal). It mentioned while he never said anything about gays, he did specifically mention divorce as a "sin?" Why is it these groups ignore this and focus on the other issue not even mentioned in the new testament? And why is it when they quote Leviticus they pick the homo thing as being a sin but don't address the fact the mention that stoning should occur in cases of adultry?

Am I a liberal nut or am I missing something?

Answer 1

The Bible says homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the real problem is how do you define marriage. Is it between a man and a woman. A man and a man. A man and his horse. It is tragic that we have to define marriage, but one day we will get it done and all can live peaceably with one another.

Answer 2

Biblical verses are from the NIV; and yes, I write this in complete humility.

Jesus never said anything about pedophiles either, neither did he say anything about incest -- atleast not directly -- pretty much the same way he did not say anything about homosexuality.

The New Testament does record Jesus' words against sexual immorality and divorce. Matt 15:19, for example. Now we come to the question of what is sexual immorality -or- more precisely, who defines what sexual immorality is. Well, here we go again! We'd have to go back to Leviticus.

So, why go back to the Old Testament? Matt 5:17 quotes Jesus saying, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.".

Divorce: Divorce is an unfortunate relationship breakdown. At no point in the entire bible is divorce considered a "sin". That statement would make God the provider of the opportunity to sin.

Let me quote Jesus on this one. Matt 19:9. "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.". To ensure that we keep things in context ,read Mark 10 and see how the argument between the Pharisees and Jesus pans out.

Stoning. Come now, do you want me quote Jesus on this one too? Sure, why not? Wasn't that the original premise? Jesus said...

Jesus, quoted in John 9:7, said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.". Which is exactly why we can't really stone someone, since we are all sinners and fallen short of the glory of God!

Answer 3

THANK YOU! Finally! The Bible condemns so many things which Christians do all the time (women speaking in church, women speaking in the presence of men, handicapped people being allowed into worship, and the list goes on and on) that it's absolutely absurd they can keep pointing to Romans 1 and Leviticus to persecute homosexuals with the claim `God says so' when, according to that argument, they are just as guilty of breaking `God's law' as the homosexuals they're railing against. It's irrelevant what the Bible says on gay marriage. And any Christian responding to this? You damn well better have read that whole book before you say word 1 on the topic. I've dealt with way too many of you who've only read what you find on tracts or in Verse-A-Day booklets or whatever your Bible study leader told you to read for that particular week.

Answer 4

They're right, Jesus himself never spoke out against homosexuality. But it is in Paul's writings. And you make an excellent point. Jesus did speak out against divorce, even to the point of changing Moses' law on the matter, making it stricter. Moses claimed one could get a divorce, so long as one gave a "writ" (divorce papers). Jesus said the only way to divorce is if one is committing adultery. I don't know why they pick on homosexuality the way they do, when so many are "in sin" themselves.

I've come to understand that with many people who like to be this hypocritical, they usually say "I am not under the law because I am saved.... but they aren't saved, so therefore they are under the law." Which contradicts the verse that claims: God is not a respector of people. Also contradicts the verses that say: how you judge will be measured back to you. To me this seems that if you use the OT to announce the law on one person, then the law would apply to you as well. You can't tell people they have to keep the law, but it's impossible to keep the law, and you can only be saved from the law by listening to them beat you with the law. It's a pathetic display really.....

Answer 5

Jesus mentions sexual issues a few times:

Divorce: Those who later re-marry commit adultery.

Adultery (perhaps prostitution): Prevented a mob from stoning her because they also had sinned.

It is apparent that Jesus was not legalistic in his approach to sin, although he instructed people not to do so. He was a product of his era and so he could not have conceptualized homosexuality as a brain condition, as it is currently being viewed. Those who are legalistic moralists are not acting as Jesus would, but then again, Jesus never ran an organization that had to police its members.

This is just another moment in which human beings turn the body of Christ into hamburger meat. People don't notice that they are increasing their own suffering by holding onto ideas so tightly that they begin to reject their fellow humans. No idea is worth destroying yourself over. To believe otherwise it to become an ideologue

Answer 6

Yes, you are missing things, but not because you are a liberal nut as that it is just not there.

Divorce is a sin because you took a vow before God; in effect, you are lying to God (not a smart career move)

The word "homosexual" is not in the Bible, so that is why it is not fully mentions, save for the "may lieth with another man" reference

And if you understand the prohibition, it makes sense, Remember the ACT is the abomination, not the people, for it is a misuse of commodity (seeed).

Answer 7

The act of guy relationship is a abomination in God's eyes. Read 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Thessalonians 4, Leviticus 18

Answer 8

Now lets discuss what religion is for first.

Religion is not a medium of control. It was never an intent of any of the god sent prophets to control anyone or else they would have chosen to make a lot of money in the process because money is a lot more effective in controlling people than lectures are.

Religion, as it was, were at first, a collection of ideas, given to people, who lived their lives unaware of a lot of things including going beyond that of a life of an animal, doing nothing but eating, drinking, and mating. A lot of people on the face of the planet, still live their lives, unaware of other peoples suffering, uninterested in being anything more than a burden on this planet.

In short, religion was sent to wake people up.

To improve their lifestyles, to inspire in them a life that is more than materialistic, to tell them that they are here on the planet for a reason and they have larger responsibilities than just feeding their own bellies. Like realizing who they are, where they come from, and where theyre going:

The Quran says: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

In effect, anyone who is aware of their place on earth, would want to make earth a better place to live in.

To take religious law, and make it harder for other people to have peace, is not the responsibility or right of anyone.

As in effect, educated people who do have a greater sense of awareness into things, should try and create a sense of peace and understanding among the masses, because they know better and are responsible infront of God to do so.

Answer 9

You're not a liberal nut, you're being logical. It's in Leviticus (like the rest of the wacky stuff in leviticus) in order to have the jewish deity (Yahweh) mandate certain practices that were deemed important for the jewish tribe's identity and survival. In terms of the homosexuality thing, the jewish tribe wanted to increase its numbers and also to distinguish its identity from other groups by okaying certain practices. Thus we have a deity that mandates procreative sex. It makes it into the New Testament only because those who decided what went into the NT included Saul of Tarsus' (Paul) letters to the early christian communities he established (e.g. letter from paul to the romans). Saul of Tarsus was heavily conditioned by a jewish society that was mired in anti-homosexuality thinking (again, starting with leviticus).

Answer 10

The Apostles of Old condem homosexuals, & as far as divorce, There are scriptures that does allow for a divorce, & to remarry. If a spouse cheats on you, you can put them away & remarry.