Why Are Certain Christians Still Incorrectly Using The Sodom Story?

Question

(1) NOWHERE in the Scriptures does it say that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was homosexual sex.

(2) A gang of xenophobic men wanting to force sex on two angels they assume to be strangers in their land, is actually RAPE, not homosexuality.

(3) Men of the city were engaged to Lot's daughters and the city was populous, Lot even offered up his two daughters as a distraction so obviously most in Sodom were heterosexual. And YES, straight men ARE capable of raping other men. e.g "prison"

(4) Ezekeiel 16:48-50 states clearly that Sodom's sins were pride, their excess of food, lack of charity and idolatry. In Matthew 10:14-15 and Luke 10:7-16, Jesus showed Sodom's sin was their inhospitable attitude to strangers. Jude's condemnation was because the angels were "strange flesh" or non-human which made sex with them reprehensible.

There are other verses in the bible more relevant to certain forms of homosexual acts. This is not one. Why do some CONTINUE to misuse it?

I just wanted to add, the term, "sodomite" was actually invented by the Roman Catholic Church around 1200 during the time Augustine, started his campaign to vilify all kinds of non-reproductive sex. It was during this time the Gen 19 story was twisted into the vein some understand it in now.

But if viewed strictly from a biblical standpoint a "sodomite" is actually a proud, inhospitable person.

I agree Nicole and Jude is right, forcing sex on two angels is sexually immoral and a perversion.

But once again, nothing about homosexuality.

C'mon, what do you call an entire GANG of men wanting to have sex with two angels (disguised as men)? This was not about attraction and lovemaking.This was about wanting to gang rape two angels. Which is perversion right?

We cannot know whether the men were gay or not as straight men violate other men like this as well. Rape is about power, domination and humiliation and the men were out to prove a point, not make "sweet love".

That "point" was, "You are a stranger in our land and you DARE allow two strangers into our city after hours, we will teach you and them a lesson!"

Answer 1

It is interesting to learn what a REAL "sodomite" is. I am sure a lot of people would be surprised to learn they are actually "sodomites."

In fact if you are inhospitable and arrogant towards homosexuals, you are being far more of a "sodomite" than they are. LOL.

But seriously, why do people think just because men want to have sex with another man it makes them gay? I have worked in the corrections system rehabilitating men who have been incarcerated and many have been raped or have raped other men. I would say 98% of the times they are heterosexual with girlfriends and wives on the outside.

You are right, rape is immoral, it is a perversion and it has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

If the men wanted to make sweet love to the angels, then we'd know for SURE they were gay.

Answer 2

You are certainly correct that this is a story about rape, and all that one should conclude from it is that rape is wrong. Perhaps one could go further and say that raping angels is REALLY wrong. :-)

But seriously, it is interesting how many quick replies there were to this post which illustrate that the people in question think they know what this story was about, and yet have probably never even read it carefully. That, I would suggest, is why the Bible continues to be misused - people read it carelessly (never seeking help from commentaries and other academic resources which are crucial if one is to make sense of ancient, foreign language texts of any sort) and quote it selectively.

Answer 3

Yes, you may be right. It probably should not be made into an entire doctrine against homosexuality. But keep in mind when offered Lot's daughters who were virgins, the men vehemently refused, preferring to have the men.

Answer 4

the Bible says that in Soddom and Gommorah men lay with men, and Women lay with Women. what does that mean other than homosexuality?? and when the men tried to have sex with the angels...the angels were in capes, and in human male form, so that is HOMOSEXUALITY. it is not rape....they didn't try to force themselves on the angels...they may have tried to rube against them or something in a sexual manner, but they didn't try to rape. there may have been other reasons for the sin of those two cities but homosexuality is a big part of it.

Answer 5

"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire."
Jude 1:7

Sexual immorality and perversion... not rape.

Anyway, there are many other verses that speak against homosexuality.

Answer 6

I read your question and I do have to say that it was interesting. I think that maybe Christians use this example for homosexuality, because all angles are male. There are no female angles in Heaven. That is a misconception and is translated to sell more angelic things because we all want angels to be beautiful and to most that means in female form.

Answer 7

Ummm. The angels were men. So, that says that if the men of Sodom wanted to have sexual relations with two men (male angels) then they were gay. Lot offered his daughters instead...it does not say the men of Sodom had sex with these girls. I think you are a bit confused. God bless you.

Answer 8

Because it isn't mis-use. I am embarrassed for people who would try this hard to excuse the obvious meaning of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Of course it's sexual sin that was being punished.

Your argument is not with people who read the bible. Your argument is with God. It is His point, not ours.

Answer 9

The New Testament condemns homosexual acts quite clearly without reference to any Old Testament texts.
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Answer 10

Shallow teaching on Biblical text. The story is scary, ugly & nasty so is not fully taught in many chueches. But the interuptation is not as off as you want to make it.