Some religion's scholars do not believe homosexuality to be a sin...?

Question

Are they incorrect?

Many religion's scholars will look at the same verses and interpret it differently, be it about homosexuality, baptism, trinity, role of women, pastors, deacons, manner of worship etc...

Are the Baptist's scholars right in their interpretation...or is the Presbyterian's, Catholics, Church of God, Methodists, Assembly of God, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons?

Which are correct and which are wrong? Are any of them wrong?

How can so many well studied, well versed scholars who know the original texts come to such different conclusions on interpretation based on their religion?

How do you choose which to believe? Why do you choose only to respect a few other religious views than your own?

How do you know that your religions scholars are correct in their interpretations?

Why do you point a finger of judgement at others and have a superiority complex in your own beliefs? Shouldn't we respect all others and not stand in judgement?

Answer 1

WOAH! You really pack in a LOT of questions into ONE question.

Let me try and answer very simply. Get five people to read any one of Shakespeare's plays and then get them to do their interpretation and analysis of it.

You will get five slightly different interpretations but generally one main theme. There will be certain things that will stand out more to certain people, and certain things that will not.

The bible is no different. In fact, it is even MORE complex than a Shakepeare play with more symbolism and metaphors and translations etc. What do you expect?

Answer 2

You're right, scholars will interpret verses differently, based on a priori views that are going to color how they see the verses, whether in Greek, Hebrew, Masoretic, or English.

Those views split denominations sometimes, and I side with Presbyterian views, for the most part. I think some of them applied very well 2000 years ago, but our culture has changed drastically and we can either live in the past or the present, or somewhere in between.

How to choose which to believe? You take a look at the a priori views and their logical conclusions, or throw the logical out and take steps of faith. Completely up to you.

For instance, women in ministry. I think it's the Presbyterian Church in America that forbids it, due to specific verses that compare the leadership of the church to Adam and Eve themselves. But times have changed, women are accepted in leadership roles that weren't around back then. Were the writers speaking for the church universal & throughout time, or were they seeing things only from their own human perspective? What side do we err on? If we take them at their word and forbid women, then the church is the last to recognize their worth in society, staunchly refusing to realize that women and men are of equal intellectual and social value. If we allow women in these roles, then we could be going against something so important that the writers stretched the edict back to the beginning relationship of Adam and Eve, and we sin gravely by going against the very word of God.

For matters like this, I don't know who's correct, I pray and make my own decision on the matter. Other matters though have so much impact that it affects people's entire outlook on life and salvation itself. I don't have a problem taking a stand on those issues I feel strongly about. I won't judge, but neither do I have a mind so open that anyone can fill it with any foolishness they want.

Answer 3

It should be noted that few of the writers of the Bible were scholars. They were simple tradesmen. The one who was a Bible (Torah) Scholar, Saul of Tarsus, firmly believed that Christians were a dangerous cult. He had to be blinded to see the light.

So, being a Bible Scholar doesn't really mean much if it leads you down a false path. In his case, the scholar was wrong, and the uneducated tradesmen were right.

As for homosexuality, in and of itself, it is not a sin. The sin results from acting upon the urges, just as it would be with a pedosexual, or any of the others. Even being a heterosexual does not mean that God favors you, for the sexuality is to be reserved to that of a husband and wife.

Meaning ones own husband or wife, and not someone else's.

Homosexuality is a genetic disorder, like so many others, and the urges can be controlled, as is expected in other orientations, like pedosexuals. It is not easy and takes a supreme effort, but nothing important is easy. Christ said the path would be difficult.

As for are they correct in this belief, the Bible clearly say when a man lies with a man. How do you interpret that as anything else?

Answer 4

First, as a note, I am not Christian anymore, just as a point of reference.

Second, there are two distinct problems here. The first one is that the Greek and Hebrew words that usually get translated as homosexual don't really mean what we mean by homosexual. The context is so radically different that there are Christian scholars who legitimately point this out. Isolating it to the handful of verses on homosexuality, there is no clarity at all on whether any of the writers would condemn modern homosexuality. The verses are not sufficient in themselves, in their original tongues and given their original meanings.

The other distinct problem however exists for Catholics, Orthodox and Copts, but not Protestants. Protestants, because they limit their source of divine revelation to the bible are free to look at those passages any way they wish. Clearly, limiting oneself to the passages, either position could be fairly held. Protestant churches rejecting homosexuality really are just accepting tradition in place of a neutral reading of the passage.

This is the problem for the first churches. The word Catholic means either "all embracing," or "according to the whole." If you take the phrase Catholic (a word in English) seriously, then one must look at the beliefs across all time and place. Just because one is a modern North American or European doesn't mean one gets to change the beliefs. If it wasn't understood that way eariler, it doesn't get to be understood that way now. Otherwise you are really rejecting the apostolic message as originally preached and you end up with the 46,000 Protestant denominations we have today. You can believe anything and the words of the apostles mean nothing.

The second problem has nothing to do with homosexuality, but rather with chastity and marriage. It is absolutely clear and beyond any doubt that early Christians felt that if one was not married, one could not have sex with anyone, male or female. Likewise, it is clear that marriage can only be heterosexual given both scripture, liturgical services, tradition and the canons. The bible verses are merely support for the more profound and important idea, that the universe possess a natural order that was broken by sin.

Therefore, since only heterosexuals can get married, then homosexuality as a behavior not a state of being, is sinful in its nature. That said, if one sees sin as breaking the relationship with God and a homosexual is not trying to break their relationship with God, then while it is "disordered," it may not be subjectively sinful.

Finally, it is very very foolish to respect others beliefs without judgment. Jihad is a very real belief among some Muslims. It is very important to judge both your own beliefs and the beliefs of others. Most beliefs are harmless, but that does not mean they should not be judged.

Answer 5

Not all religious scholars are saved Christians. The Pharisees were religious scholars who got so caught up in their traditions that they missed the point and the message. The bible tells us that the act of homosexuality is a great sin and that's all there is to it. It is God's Word and command and we need to obey by that. So when in doubt, go to the source and ask God to reveal His will through His word. There are so many people pleasing churches out there nowadays, forgiving all types of behaviors simply to get people to come and forgetting about God's Grace and Word. That is the only truth.

Answer 6

A sin usually takes place only after the thought has been conceived and entertained.

"If you turn to doing good, will there not be an exaltation? But if you do not turn to doing good, there is sin crouching at the entrance, and for you is its craving; and will you, for your part, get the mastery over it?" -- Genesis 4:7

"But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." -- James 1:14,1


The Bible says clearly that God is against homosexuality. Even those who agree with their way of life are to be condemned. Jehovah is the only one who has the right to judge.

"And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable thing." -- Leviticus 18:22

"What! Do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, ... nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, ... will inherit God’s kingdom." -- 1 Corinthians 6:9,10

"That is why God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error." -- Romans 1:26,27

"Although these know full well the righteous decree of God, that those practicing such things are deserving of death, they not only keep on doing them but also consent with those practicing them. " -- Romans 1:32

"Jehovah is our Judge... " -- Isaiah 33:22


Many misinterpret the Bible because they don't like healthful teachings.

"For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories." -- 2 Thimothy 4:3,4


For more inmformation go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2005/4/8a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/6/1a/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2002/2/1/article_02.htm

Answer 7

One thing to say about "scholars":

2 Timothy 3:1 ¶ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,........................

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Verse 7 says it all!

Answer 8

The bible is plain enough that no "scholars" are needed to understand this point. Really, the bible was written so that the vast majority of its readers could easily understand its plain message without any "scholar" to guide him.

True religion does not take it upon itself to enforce its view on adherents of other religions. Like Jesus himself, true Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) do not distract themselves from preaching "the good news" just to engage in social advocacy.

Campaigns for or against abortion, capital punishment, homosexual marriage, or sex education are simply not compatible with Christ's clear instructions for Christians.

(John 15:19) If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.


Of course, true Christians (such as Jehovah's Witnesses) do not shy from boldly teaching as the bible plainly teaches. When a person hopes to qualify as a baptized Christian, or asks a minister about the bible's view of homosexuality, Jehovah's Witnesses do not feel that human opinions are important. Instead, godly persons point to the bible's plain language on the matter and allow the Divine Author to speak for Himself.

(2 Peter 1:20) No prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation.

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10) Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, ...nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men... will inherit God’s kingdom.

(1 Timothy 1:9-10) Law is promulgated, not for a righteous man, but for persons lawless and unruly, ungodly and sinners, lacking loving-kindness..., fornicators, men who lie with males..., and whatever other thing is in opposition to the healthful teaching

(Romans 1:26-27) God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene

(Leviticus 20:13) And when a man lies down with a male the same as one lies down with a woman, both of them have done a detestable thing.


Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20020601a/article_01.htm

Answer 9

The Pharisees in the days of Jesus were the religious scholars of their time too. Education and book learning doesn't mean you necessarily know, understand or are walking with the will of God.

"Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,"
Romans 1:22

Answer 10

We should respect others choices/beliefs. But that doesn't mean you have to agree. I don't agree with homesexuality, but codemning others and persecuting them because they do is wrong. We all beileve differently anf personally none of us will really know the truth until the world ends until then you just have to have faith in what you what you choose to believe.