What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
357874
Actually, it says nothing about homosexuality, but it does have some vague passages that people interpret to mean homosexuality.\n\nIt's only okay to do it if you are a priest, preacher or church leader. If not, most god speakers forbid it.\n\nBut, who cares what they think?
1039643
You make some very good points. The bible was written in a time when homosexuality wasnt very common, people read into it much too far and take something out of it that could very well be not true.
108447
yes.  a lot of christians and churches have no problem with homosexuality.  look for some liberal churches in your area - they are typically more tolerant of homosexuality.  the bible says a lot of stuff, and if i remember correctly, the passages condemning homosexuality are in the old testament, along with defenses of slavery, and other ridiculous stuff, such as killing non-believers.  it is funny, when asked about the bible's defense of slavery or its calling for the killing of unbelievers, biblical literalists say that the new testament means these practices are no longer permissible.  but the condemnation of homosexuality is written in the old testament along with these practices, why should it not be reconsidered also?  here, i found it (from the website below):\n"The Holiness Code in the Torah permits:\n-slavery (Leviticus 25:44)\n\nThe code requires:\n-a child to be killed if he/she curses their parent (Leviticus 20:9)\n-all persons guilty of adultery to be killed (20:10)\n-the daughter of a priest who engages in prostitution to be burned alive until dead (21:9)\n-the bride of a priest to be a virgin (21:13)\n-ritual killing of animals, using cattle, sheep and goats (22:19)\n-observation of 7 feasts: Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles (23)\n-a person who takes the Lord's name in vain is to be killed (24:16)\n\nThe code prohibits:\n-heterosexual intercourse when a woman has her period (Leviticus 18:19),\n-harvesting the corners of a field (19:9),\n-eating fruit from a young tree (19:23),\n-cross-breeding livestock (19:19),\n-sowing a field with mixed seed (19:19),\n-shaving or getting a hair cut (19:27),\n-tattoos (19:28),\n-even a mildly disabled person from becoming a priest (21:18),\n-charging of interest on a loan (25:37),\n-collecting firewood on Saturday to prevent your family from freezing,\n-wearing of clothes made from a blend of textile materials; today this might be cotton and polyester, and\n-eating of non-kosher foods (e.g. shrimp)."\n\nPersonally, it seems pretty ridiculous to pick and choose which laws from the old testament one is going to follow.  if complete consistency is to be had, either these commandments must all be followed, or homosexuality should stop being singled out.  Practice what you think jesus would practice; this is the essence of christianity, not taking as literally true every part of the bible.\n\np.s.: schneb, are you serious?  jesus is going to vomit lukewarm christians out of his mouth?
318940
People who say that the Bible obviously condemns homosexuality have not studied the sources very well. The simple historical fact of the matter is that many, many Biblical passages, including those which are now said to be about homosexual acts, have been interpretted and reinterpretted with the times to mean vastly different things. Add to that the fact that some translations of the Bible, such as the King James version, were rewritten in areas to fit King James' political agenda and you have one big mess. \n\nThe best way to understand the Bible is to realize that it was written thousands of years ago, and to try to interpret what it was supposed to mean during those times. Figures of speech and illusions to things that were common place and obvious back then aren't the same now. For example, many Biblical scholars agree that the old testament lines regarding "unnatural" acts between men had to do with condemning pagan rituals of the time that involved sex. Much of the old testament is dedicated to laws that would preserve Jewish culture and keep it separate from competing cultures in the area. Sodom & Gomorrah's sin was bad hospitality to travelers, NOT homosexual sex.\n\nAlso, eating shellfish and wearing fabrics made of two separate materials are considered abominations and called such in the same chapters of the Bible that condemn men laying with men. Christians are fond of saying that Jesus made the old laws obsolete, and yet they quote out of Leviticus to condemn homosexuals. What about the abominations they commit everytime they wear cotton/polyester or eat at Red Lobster? Those are easy to ignore, but when there's an easy quote to throw at gays, they'll use it.\n\nIf you're interested in a more scholarly interpretation of the Bible than what a few biggots would have you believe, please read "What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality" by Daniel Helminiak. He's not some random gay person who could be said to have an "agenda," he's a real Catholic priest.
950565
I don't agree with casting "per-verbial stones" at anyone.  We are not the ones that are given the right to judge.  But I can tell you why homosexuality is looked down upon if someone truly wishes to serve God.  Homosexuality is condemned in the Bible.  In both the Hebrew (old) and Greek (new) scriptures, homosexuality is condemned.  In 1 Cor. 6:9, 10, homosexuals are lumped in with fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, theives, and extortioners as ones that will not inherit God's kingdom.  \n\nWhen reading the Bible, you have to take the whole book into account.  You have to be willing to accept God's thinking on all matters.  He created us; he knows what's best for us; he instituted the marriage arrangement.  God has never condoned same-sex relationships, and since God is the same from time indefinite to time indefinite, we can be sure he still feels the same as he did when he had the Bible penned.
403385
Depends on who you ask, but neither is. If you read the oldest and purest form of the bible it says nothing about being gay. It is true that the old testament talks about spilling the sperm and wasting, but you have to understand the science (or lack thereof) of the time. They believed that the whole baby was in the sperm and the womb was just an incubator. There for any time a man climaxed out side of a woman, it was killing a child. Many laws in the old testament were built off this belief. \nAnd also note that all the law about this are in the old testament, when Jesus came he said because of his death, the old laws were void. As for the new testament, remember that most of the  books were written by more then person, some books by many of different people. Their students (their intentions may have been good) pieced together teaching and  beliefs from themselves and the disciples. \nMy advice would be to do a lot of research on both sides of the argument, and look with yourself. There is a good book called "Gay theology with out apology" I don't know the author. good luck.
79268
To the one who thinks he's the Bible and God expert. Being gay IS NOT a sin. Doing "gross" things with people of the same sex IS a sin. People are born being gay, so they can't do anything about it. Nobody can force you to like someone.
466237
Because God's Word (the Bible) forbids homosexual acts, it is clear that it is a choice.  For some it may be a very enticing choice, but it is still a choice.\n\nFor more info, see:\nhttp://www.onewayonly.net/ishomosexualityasin.html\nhttp://www.onewayonly.net/asoberingthought.html
592301
What Scripture says is that same gender sex is a sin. So is a sexual relationship with an animal. Or with one's own right hand, as it were.\n\nIt says nothing about individuals whose orientation is geared toward their own gender. They become sinners only if and/or when they enter into a sexual relationship with a partner of their own gender.
761539
BOTH.\nBUT I THINK HOMOSEXUALITY IS A SPIRIT.\nAS IS MOST SEXUAL PERVERSIONS.\nI KNOW I WILL GET IN TROUBLE FOR THIS ONE .\nBUT I BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUTH.\nSO MANY HOMOSEXUALS SAY THEY ARE NOT HAPPY AS THEY ARE.AND GOD HAS DELIVERED MANY.\nJESUS LOVES THE SINNER NOT THE SIN.\nIF YOU SAY HOMOSEXUAL IS OK .\nYOU CALL GOD A LIAR\nREAD THE BOOK
474638
Well I am Christian and also bisexual, I dont hate gays straights bis or whatever. I do believe the Bible shows homosexuality as a sin but I also realise there are 613 other sins and no one can live sinlessly. So, I just get on day by day, dont let either ruin my life or the lives of others.
1135576
God does not hate gays.  He hates the acts that they perform.\nRead 1 Corinthians 6:9-12
1089915
Contrary to what liberal theologans say the Bible strictly condems homosexuality. You dont need to get hung up in the old testament with levitical law that they love to pull apart. Look right at the New testament-Romans -vs 26,27. The answer is no one can prove it. Even if it is claimed that a person is "born with it" that changes nothing. Lets try this, Iwas born to be a alcoholic, should I keep drinking although its wrong? Dont let anyone trick you , this culture is trying to ram it down our throats.
1154140
My advice to you is don't listen to the Christians. They use the "unnatural" and "abomination" arguments so much they've lost all meaning. Homosexuality is not a sin. I, like you, know good people who happen to be gay. And to address your confusion with the logic behind the persecution, there is no logic.
1187616
To have sexual relations with one of the same sex is against what the Bible teaches.None of us like it when we read and find just how much of our lives offend God.But if you really wish to seek God seek as you are not as you think you should be.We all are perfected only in Christ let him decide whether it keeps you from him.He said he did not come for the righteous for they do not need him,only those that are injured or ill need a doctor.
451259
Lots of questions!!!  \nAccording to the BIBLE... it is not okay to say that God hates homosexuals.  because God does not hate them, He is against what they do...homosexuality. Actually they are going against God... here is the proof... Romans chapter 1.\n1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,\n2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)\n3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;\n4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:\n5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:\n6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:\n7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.\n8 ¶  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.\n9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;\n10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.\n11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;\n12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.\n13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,)that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.\n14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.\n15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.\n16 ¶  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.\n17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.\n18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;\n19 ¶  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.\n20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:\n21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.\n22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,\n23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.\n24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:\n25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.\n26  For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:\n27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.\n28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;\n29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malig
1037877
Please read the following link.  It will answer all your questions regarding God, homosexuality, and the Bible.  It is written by a Christian minister <who has pastored in the Baptist church for MANY years> and it covers everything for you and anybody else who cares to read it.\n\nBy the way, the author is NOT gay.