What does the Bible really say about homosexuality?
492388
against nature, contrary to nature\nI don't know what God thought but the story of Ruth & Naomoi\nRuth 1:14 Ruth clave onto her, same as Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh
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.
128159
He calls homosexuality unnatural and an abomination.\n\nLeviticus 18:22: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."\n\nRomans 1:26-28: "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: 27 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. 28 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;"
237425
Is homosexuality a sin?\n\nby Parents and Friends of Lesbian and Gays\n\n------------------------------------------------------------\nQuestion 1 - In your opinion, does God regard homosexuality as a sin?\n\nQuestion 2 - In your opinion, do the Scriptures object to homosexuality?\n\nRev Dr William R Stayton (Baptist -- minister, certified sexologist,\nassociate professor of psychiatric and human behaviour, servant\non faculty of LaSalle University's graduate department of\nreligious studies, holder of master of divinity from Andover\nNewtown Theological School and a Th.D. in psychology from Bostonuniversity):\nQ1:        \n        Absolutely not!  There is nothing in the Bible or in\n        my own theology that would lead me to believe that\n        God regards homosexuality as sin.  God is interested\n        in our relationships with ourselves, others, the \n        things\n        in our lives, and with God (MAT 23:36-40).  There is\n        nothing in the mind of God that could be against a\n        loving, sexual relationship, freely entered into,\n        without coercion, among sincere adults whether gay,\n        bisexual or straight.\n\n   Q2:        There is _nothing_ in the Bible regarding homosexual\n        orientation.  In fact, the Bible does not concern\n        itself with sexual orientation.  It does speak out\n        probably against gang rape, male prostitution for\n        religious purposes, and pederasty (sex between an\n        adult and youth).  I lead bible study programs on this\n        subject and am convinced that the Bible does not\n        address the issue of a person's sexual orientation.\n\n\nBishop John S Spong (Episcopal -- bishop, most published\nmember of the Episcopal house of bishops, author to 11 books and 50\npublished articles, phi beta kappa graduate of UNC Chapel Hill,\nholds masters in divinity and an honorary doctorate in divinity\nfrom Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary, received honorary\ndoctorate in divinity from St Paul's College):\n\n   Q1:        Some argue that since homosexual behaviour is "unnatural"\n        it is contrary to the order of creation.  Behind this\n        pronouncement are stereotypical definitions of\n        masculinity and femininity that reflect rigid gender\n        categories of patriarchal society.  There is nothing\n        unnatural about any shared love, even between two of the\n        same gender, if that experience calls both partners to a\n        fuller state of being.  Contemporary research is\n        uncovering new facts that are producing a rising\n        conviction that homosexuality, far from being a sickness,\n        sin, perversion or unnatural act, is a healthy, natural\n        and affirming form of human sexuality for some people.\n        Findings indicate that homosexuality is a given fact in\n        the nature of a significant portion of people, and that\n        it is unchangeable.\n        Our prejudice rejects people or things outside our\n        understanding.  But the God of creation speaks and\n        declares, "I have looked out on _everything_ I have made\n        and `behold it (is) very good'." (GEN 1:31).  The word of\n        God in Christ says that we are loved, valued, redeemed,\n        and counted as precious no matter how we might be valued\n        by a prejudiced world.\n\n   Q2:        There are few biblical references to homosexuality.  The\n        first, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, is often quoted\n        to prove that the Bible condemns homosexuality.  But the\n        real sin of Sodom was the unwillingness of the city's men\n        to observe the laws of hospitality.  The intention was\n        to insult the stranger by forcing him to take the female\n        role in the sex act.  The biblical narrative approves\n        Lot's offer of his virgin daughters to satisfy the sexual\n        demands of the mob.  How many would say, "_Th
298784
Many peole who hate homosexuals claim that the Bible backs them up. But what does the Bible say?\n\nIn the Old Testament God condemns homosexuality for his Chosen People, the Children of Israel (Leviticus 18:1-3, 22). They are to be fruitful and multiply until they become as numerous as the stars in the sky and occupy the land between the River Nile in Egypt and the River Euphrates in Iraq (Genesis 15:5, 18). God's prohibition of homosexuality applies only to the Hebrews, not to the Gentiles.\n\nIn the New Testament Jesus says nothing about homosexuals. Paul condemns them, not because he wants to increase the population, but because he opposes all sexual activities, even within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1, 5, 8-9, 29).\n\nAccording to the Bible, if you are a Jew, you must not be gay; if you are a Christian, you must not just refrain from homosexual activities, you should not have sex at all - unless you are a weak-willed wimp who cannot practice self-control.\n\nUnless you are a Jew or a Christian virgin, the Bible give you no right to bash gays. And if you want to be like Jesus, you won't condemn them at all.
1171560
So, according to the other Christians' answers, it is ok for married people to enjoy sex, sex isn't only for procreation, but sex is created for two people who love each other, but sex ouside of gay marriage is wrong? If the only argument against homosexuality is "the Bible says so." The Bible says a lot of things, do you accept them all equally?  Paul also says women shouldn't wear their hair braided or wear jewelry, do you abide by that? If not, then does that mean you are judging some things as applicable and other things not? What is the basis of that?\nTHINK PEOPLE!
1012702
Well the Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you accept Him as your Savior then you will be saved. I think anyone who does this will go to heaven. Some people only pull out homosexuality as the only thing in the Bible listed as an abomination and that's simply not true. Liars, gossipers, drunks, and adulterers just to name a few were also listed as abominations and no one just out right says they will go to hell so I don't think it's fair to say that someone will go to hell based on their sexual preference. Plus all sins are forgivable if you repent of them and ask God to help you I don't see why he would punish you instead of helping you. We don't know where their heart is with God so we can't knowingly say where they are going when they die.
384636
According to most scientists and psychologist, being gay is physiological verses psychological. There is a part of the brain called the hypothamalus. In heterosexual men this gland is larger than a heterosexual woman’s which is much smaller in size. Recent studies of autopsies performed on gays reveal the size of hypothamalus’ of homosexuals (both male and female) aren’t as large as a heterosexual male or as small as a heterosexual female.\n\nHomosexuality occurs naturally in most species of animals.\n\nForgoing the physical causes of homosexuality, socialization, environment and personal beliefs often have an influence on whether a person live a gay or straight life. For instance, a person who believes they may be gay might suppress those feelings if they are raised in an environment where homosexuality is considered taboo and self expression is censored. On the other hand, a person with homosexual tendencies may be more willing to explore those feelings if raised in an environment which encourages expression and self individualism.\n\nSince our sexuality doesn’t develop until long after birth, I don’t see how anyone can be born heterosexual or homosexual. \n\nSome uninformed individuals claim homosexuality is a choice. The question to those people would be, “Did you have to choose to be straight.” The answer will almost always be, “Hell no!” Just as a heterosexual could no more “choose” to be gay, a homosexual would have a difficult time choosing to be straight.\n\nAs for religious arguments, the passages in Genesis merely explain heterosexual relationships and does not condemn or even speak to homosexual acts. The only direct mention of homosexuality in the Bible can be found in the Old Testament under Leviticus along with the sins of wearing woven clothing (cotton), eating shell fish, shaving, and not allowing women to preach the word of God, amongst other forgotten sins. These sins were made non-sins by the words of Jesus. That is why good “Christians” can shave, while wearing their cotton briefs and eat oyster without having to worry about going to Hell.\n\nIn the New Testament, many newer interpretations claim that the rapists who came to Lot’s house were gay, but they were rapists, which rape is a sin. In another passage the words used to describe male prostitutes has been translated into “homosexuals” by watered down modern day Bibles. Prostitution is a sin, but at the time, there was no homosexual culture to condemn.\n\nThe most prolific argument against Biblical condemnation of homosexuals came from Jesus who was to be God’s final word on the subject. When given the opportunity to condemn homosexual behavior, He did not.\n\nWhen you see the word “homosexual’ in a Bible understand there was no word to describe homosexuality at the time of the writing of the Bible. Go to the King James Version and read the same passages. Those translations of those same words pertain only to male prostitution and rapists, which are both sins.\n\nLastly, many lost Christians say the Bible says intercourse is for the purpose of reproduction only and the only reason man was put on this earth was to reproduce. Well I can’t find one Christian who says they only have intercourse for the purpose of reproduction. As for the misnomer man was put on this earth for the sole purpose of reproduction, what about people who for one reason or another cannot reproduce? Are they all going to hell? If all of the world’s trees produced fruit, the fruit would lay rotting on the ground.
635285
In the story of S & G, there is no mention of homosexuality.\n\nLot offered his two daughters and finally the maid.\n\nIf they were homos, they must have been women.\n\nBible thumpers read a lot more into their bibles than is actually there. And, coincidentally enough, their interpretations always fit what they already believed.\n\nTruly amazing how flexible "God's word" seems to be.
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.
560135
for those who say the bible isnt real thats insulting to those who believe it so keep ur opinions to urself! and though the bible says no gay people, then again it says that u should be nice to all people too, so im really not sure
853924
No where, actually.\n\nLook... most people, even priests and pastors, misinterpret the passages about homosexuality.\n\nThe story of Sodom and Gomorrah? That's a warning against rape and inhospitality. The reason for Sodom's destruction is made clear in Ezekiel 16:48-50. According to Ezekiel, the sins of Sodom were pride, laziness, being inhospitable, neglecting the needs of the poor, greed, and idolatry (the worshipping of idols). Nothing about homosexuality is mentioned.\n\nLeviticus? Those passages were part of the Holiness Code which has been done away with and is no longer binding to modern-day Christians (or anyone else for that matter).\n\n1 Corinthians? Mistranslation - the word malakee in this passage is used elsewhere in the Bible to mean someone who lacks discipline or one who is morally weak, and never is it used in reference to sexuality or gender.\n\n1 Timothy? Also a mistranslation. 1 Timothy was an admonishment against male prostitution, not committed, loving same sex relationships.\n\nRomans? In the passage the Greek words physin and paraphysin have been translated to mean natural and unnatural respectively. Contrary to popular belief, the word paraphysin does not mean "to go against the laws of nature", but rather implies action which is uncharacteristic for that person. An example of the word paraphysin is used in Romans 11:24, where God acts in an uncharacteristic (paraphysin) way to accept the Gentiles. When the scripture is understood correctly, it seems to imply that it would be unnatural for heterosexuals to live as homosexuals, and for homosexuals to live as heterosexuals.
681662
SAW THSI THE OTHER DAY AND THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT.  \nMAKES SENSE.\n\nLets first examine the definition of homosexuality...it is the practice of sexual behavior with the same sex. A great debate these days. Is it deviant? i.e. behaviors and attitudes that differ from the normal social and moral standards.\n\nHmmmmmm... \n\nLet me put it this way.\n\nIf I loved having sex with animals and formed a group to say that we were born this way, and started challanging laws that opposed this behavior... going so far as to challenge the very Bible that teaches against it... and marching in parades, having protest, and touting the illusion that I am being discriminated against because I love beastiality... would you say it is deviant or that it was just my right to do my thing?\n\nMoral decay, is moral decay, and unnatural behaviors can not be made right by giving it a superficial tweek with a name change. That name is "gay".\n\nGay is a cute name and makes it socially acceptable... socially palletable... But it still remains a continued and ongoing asset in the moral decay column. \n\nI do not hate or dislike people who practice homosexuality, but it is time for some one to stand up and call a horse a horse.\n\nThe aime of the homosexual movement is to attack the Bible. Oh, I know what youre thinking... this guy is nuts. But if satan can keep blinding the minds of the homosexual community, they will unwittingly get laws changed that will declair it a crime to speak against their sexual practices, under the satanic inspired veil of discrimination. \n\nIf that happens, what would happen to men and women of God who speak against homosexual practices from their church pulpits, or in the streets? Can you say, Monopoly Game--Go straight to jail... It could seriously mean persecution of true believers. Persecution of the true Church, if you will allow it....\n\njust food for thought...
1091522
homosexuality has been around since before the bible was even a foot note society is accepting this more and more. Christians Jews everybody. it becoming one of those things that just doesn't matter if its in the bible or not live how you want and be happy and don't listen to these little pricks who think differently
991451
The Master taught Love.\n   If you look at the laws of the Old Testament, and you read Genesis or the chapters that come before the laws are given - things were out of control - completely out of control. Take a journey then, and if you pass through many of the towns in those days (not just Sodom - but many) - there was a very good chance part of your reception is either you or your wife getting gang-raped - straight or gay. i promise if you read it, it's there. The circumstance happens again and again in Genesis, and continues after Israel is created. So that's what people did acceptably at that time and it was way out of moral or legal control -- so these laws came in that said no homosexuality - but also addressed all of these other sexual issues too - no adultery, no sex within the family etc. etc. The mistake is people single out one law and don't cross-reference all the others given on the topic - which is sexuality. If there are laws for adultery and homosexuality, and they are in the same category - then nobody really has the right to toss stones at anybody.\n   More importantly - neither is an unforgiveable sin.\n   There is lust, and there is Love, and Yeshua Messiah is about Love - and caring that we don't hurt one another (Love your neighbor as yourself), because naturally in the process hurt ourselves.\n   Read the Psalms - they're incredible. read the New Testament - it's about Love - and the fact that this subject not reallytalked about in the New Testament tells us that by then, people had calmed down from the outrageously immoral days of the Old Testament - and Jesus cares about what's in your Heart above all, which is his measuring rod - and it's 100 applicable to anyone, straight or gay, because Jesus himself said so.\n   God's Blessings, my friend.\n   God Loves you.
84399
the funny thing is, the original text of the OLD testament didn't say anything about homosexuality being a sin either. the part that's commonly translated to say "a man should not lie with another man as he would lie with a woman, that is detestable" was originally mistranslated on PURPOSE when some homophobic church leaders got together to write the king james version...the original hebrew text translates to "a man should not lie with another man in a woman's bed, that is unclean". so basically there's no restriction on who can have sex with whom, just where they are allowed to do it.
1183368
Interesting question.\n\nThe bible refers to homosexuality as sin and "unnatural." \n\nThen, the bible says, "The natural man does not care for the things of God."\n\nSounds like there are two naturals or more.\n\nNatural: The original state of created things as designed\nNatural: The unchanged Man without God\n\nVery thought provoking...