Does the bible encourage discrimination and bigotry?
603448
The Creator warns against such attitudes.   And, when the Creator became human, those cultural roadblocks were removed.\n\nJesus spoke to the "unloved" and "despised" elements of society, showing his followers "they will know you are my followers by your love."
881987
Youre absolutely correct. Not one Christian pays any attention to THAT PART of the Bible anymore. Unless, of course, they feel like bagging on a gay person. Then they reach out with open arms to embrace their hateful Bible as PROOF that God hates gay people.....when in reality, God hates everyone that isnt a Jew. \n\nHey, dont blame me - its all written in the Bible!
551164
Some people (primarily biblical literalists and/or purveyors of hate speech) claim that the Bible does condemn homosexuality, citing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Levitical law statements about "a man lying with another man as he lies with a woman is an abomination", and St. Paul's condemnations of homosexuals. But what exactly is an "abomination"? Let's consider the information at this site: http://glow.cc/isa/whatisan.htm\n\nIf we look at each of these biblical citations closely, we see that Sodom and Gomorrah were not destroyed for homosexuality, they were destroyed for what was a far more serious sin at that time -- the sin of inhospitality. They treated guests very rudely, even assaulting and abusing them. At that time in history, this was one of the most serious sins one could commit. Consider this: http://www.torahquest.org/show_commentary.php?cid=12&regid=14\n\nIn looking at the Levitical prohibitions, we can turn to the greatest expert on the Old Testament, a Jewish philosopher named Maimonides, who wrote most of the Tanach (which is a more detailed explanation of the Torah, or Jewish version of the Old Testament). Maimonides wrote, in his "Guide to the Perplexed" that this prohibition was not against homosexuality, it was actually a prohibition against man's unbridled lust, and against the Cananite practice of that time of using teenage boys as prostitutes for their pagan temples. Also, looking at this practically, it's anatomically impossible for a "man to lie with a man as he does with a woman" (hello, some parts, well one part, is missing!) In those times, "back door" sex was forbidden, so that cannot be what this was referring to.\n\nAs to St. Paul's condemnations of homosexuality, it is worth noting that St. Paul had major hangups with almost any kind of sex, that he himself never married (highly unusual for a Jewish male at that time) and that he was teaching things that Jesus never said. http://www.beliefnet.com/story/142/story_14299_1.html\n\nChristians, by definition, are followers of Christ. Therefore, the first place Christians should look for proper teachings is in the Gospels, where Christ taught us what He expect from us. What exactly did Christ say in condemnation of homosexuals? Not a single word. Nothing, nada, zip, zero. So when it comes to a choice of who to believe when teachings conflict, St. Paul or Christ, IMO we should always go with Christ. Scientists have now proven, through multiple studies, that some homosexuals are genetically predisposed towards this. In other words, they are born that way. Others make a lifestyle choice. This brings up two very important points. God doesn't make mistakes, so the homosexuals who were born that way are not a mistake. Secondly, just "being" homosexual is not, in any way, a sin, no matter how the person got there. Even if we were to believe everything that biblical literalists believe, and all the so-called biblical condemnations about homosexuality, it must be noted that the condemnations are against sexual acts, they are not against just "being" a homosexual. So at worst, a homosexual sex act is the sin of fornication, which I daresay is an equal opportunity sin, and that many more heterosexuals commit this sin than homosexuals (if for no other reason than heterosexuals vastly outnumber homosexuals.)\n\nGod loves all of his children, and He expects us to love each other. Christ preached inclusion, not exclusion. Be patient with those who condemn homosexuals. Sooner or later they will come to their senses and realize that they are wrong. Literalists used to support slavery and thought the world would end when women got the right to vote, but they were proven wrong there, too. And perhaps even offer some pity for those who hate homosexuals, because if we can assume that a recent study was right, the most virulent anti-homosexuals are nothing more than
977432
Doesn't the bible preach acceptance and love... doesn't it also say that our job isn't to judge, because he will do that?\nMy question is, why worry about people being gay, when we can't take care of our own citizens... and parts of the world hate us so much they are willing to die to kill us?  Is it really that important?  I don't think so!
12030
It is also not god's will for you to eat shrimp, wear clothes made of 2 kinds of thread or for men to shave their beards.  In the same chapter where it describes "man laying with men as with women" it also outlines how a daughter may be sold into slavery.\n\nIf you are going to hold these beliefs please be consistent and don't pawn off your bigotry as the "will of god"
1088413
Absolutely yes they should.\n\nFor people saying that the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong:\n\n1. Do you support slavery? the bible does.\n\n2. Do you support killing people for growing two different crops side by side? the bible says it's okay.\n\n3. Do you support the killing of witches? the bible does.\n\n4. Do you support the killing of misbehaving children? the bible does.\n\n5. Do you support genocide? Your god sure is a big fan of it.\n\nI'm sure I missed plenty of things, but you get the gist of it.
1017357
the Bible condemns a lot of things, including lusting, stealing, etc.I will never understand why my fellow "christians" pick homosexuality as the be all end all sin.
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.
208888
I don't believe so. But this one goes out to "MPA the racist bastard" up above me. Read his answer, then read mine.\n\nHe says he's a member of the KKK, and will kill any black man he sees.\n\nMPA the racist bastard:\nYou know what else isn't in the bible moron?\nHatred against another person, or race.\nThis includes that the KKK isnt in the bible.\n\n\nSo if you claim to know the bible, you should know that hatred is not there, and you shouldnt take part in it.\n\nOtherwise, I guess you truly are a hipocrat.
479332
Are we starting this again this morning? The entire Yahoo Answers seems to be obsessed with this topic this last week.\nLet me clarify once and for all:\n* homosexuality is something born with, not chosen (why \n  would anyone deliberately choose such a difficult life-\n  style in our society?)\n* The bible does condemn it.\n* how do I explain this paradox? I don't know. It just is. \n  not my fault, I didn't write the bible or create peoples\n  sexual tendencies.\n* why did God create something and then condemn it? I don't\n  know that either. Heck, maybe he didn't, and Satan got \n  his nose in there to mess with us. Or maybe one is not  born with it, but it's a  product of environment and   experiences. Maybe I'm wrong in\n  my previous statement. I DON'T KNOW, AND YOU DON'T EITHER.\n* Only God knows the answer to any of this, and apparently,\n  he ain't tellin'! For the time being, anyway. Maybe he \n  just threw in stuff like this to test how we would react, \n  hateful or tolerant.\n* The fact that the bible, in my interpretation, condemns something hardly  means\n  that I have to go around condemning or persecuting it, I\n  was not born to be the judge of the world. The bible tells\n  me to love my fellow man, sinners and saints alike, and\n  be a good example of Christianity, lest I steer others \n  from the faith by turning them off to religion by watch-\n  ing my sins. \n* In this case, that could include sins of \n  bigotry, hate, and abuse of all who don't belief exactly\n  what we think they should believe, if we Christians aren't\n  mindful, and fall into a trap. \n* besides, what if my interpretation of the bible is in-\n  correct? It could happen, you know, to all of us.\n* That said, and religion aside, it is still a hate crime in\n  this country to persecute others on the basis of their \n  sexual orientation. It is also not allowed in Yahoo \n  Answers.\n\nTo sum up, we don't understand why this is, but it doesn't matter either. Just live and let live.\nIMO.
1112072
This question reeks of bigotry.
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.
986726
200 years ago some people quoted bits of the Bible out of context, devoid of the origional meaning, to justify slavery and racism. Today some people do the same mean trick to try to justify their bigotry.\n\nAn example - some say that Leviticus calls being Gay an abomination, they quote one sentence. If peope would read 3 chapters on either side of that one sentence they would see that eating pork and wearing clothing made of 2 or more materials are also called abominations. If they would read further, they would see that stoning children and killing animals on the alter is called for. If they would read the whole book, they would find why it is called Leviticus - God wanted ther Levites among the Isrealites to be quite different from all other people, the laws in Leviticus are intended only for those born into Levite families. Leviticus means "for the Levites". For any non-Levite to follow those laws is the opposite of what the Bible really says to do!\n\nAnother example - the word "homosexuality" is only about 100 years old. If you have an edition that uses that word in the writings of Paul, it is a deliberate incorrect translation, get another version.\n\nBest to read just the gospels anyway - what did Jesus say? \nLove your neighbor\nDon't judge others\n\nIn making you Gay, God gave you the gift of Love. What God has made, let no man put asunder!
874045
Bigotry and religion are associated in that there are bigots who practice religion. Just as there are people with pure hearts and pure motives who practice religion, there are also those who are less enlightened, more misguided. But it's the way of the world for the wheat and the tears to grow together. Whether we practice some religion or none at all, it's up to us to examine ourselves and, as Ghandi said, become the change we want to see in the world.
600410
Hrmm.... guess it's time to pack up my stuff and head out for Hell.  Ah well.  The funny thing about this (and I don't mean comedy funny, but things that make you go hmmm funny) is taht if instead of having a different sexual orientation we had a different colored skin, we could take him to court over it.  Like saying God hates Blacks/Indians/Chinese/middle eastern/White or whatever.  People who feel the need to spew hate in the name of whichever deity they choose to put their faith in are working of the base fact that they feel they need to back themselves up with something big and unquestionable because they know that without it, their arguement lacks not only merit, but the strentgh to stand up to a good blow (pun intended)  For those of you who like to preach like that, check out the following from an old e-mail:\n\n"Subject: The Bible and its teachings\n\nThank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other specific Biblical laws and how to follow them.\n\na) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?\n\nb) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?\n\nc) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness (Lev.15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. If I come into contact with a woman who is menstruating and she doesn't tell me until afterwards, must I kill her immediately or can I just beat her?\n\nd) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?\n\ne) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? Also, is Sabbath on Saturday as Seventh Day Adventists (Christians, like us...or are they?) or is it on Sunday as Baptists and some other faiths agree? I am beset by not knowing who to kill and when to kill them...please clarify this for me.\n\nf) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality (Lev. 18:22). I don't agree. I'm also confused about how homosexuality can be an abomination when Jonathan and David were married in the Bible (1 Samuel 18:1, 3 - 4). Here, I'll quote it - "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword and to his bow and to his girdle." and also Ruth's relationship with Naomi is suspect, (Ruth 1:16-17) "And Ruth said to Naomi, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part three and me." Can you settle this?\n\ng) Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?\n\nh) Most of my male friends get their
961506
Act 10: 34 - 35 - ...."God is not partial for any man from any nation who WORKS righteousness is acceptable to Him"...\n\nIf that's the case, humans are certainly not imitating God or his Son.\n\nWhy does anyone face racism? Duh...it's just not going to go away when you have countries such as America constantly playing their sickening tone.\n\nPersonally, I have given up on all whites...as they are always topping the list of hate and bigotry and they use their positions to hurt people of color. I now use my position to hurt them and they don't like it, but they get angry and try to "pack up" with other bigots like them.\n\nRacism...blah..blah..blah...it... old and tired but the real sickening ones who constantly perpetuate it won't stop until Armageddon destroys them. That time is not far off. Until that time, I just exist with 'em but I don't try to be too social or friendly because they are a cursed race (leoprosy) and they cannot be trusted...like a diseased frog or something. \n\nBe careful and don't get too close because if you were a cursed race also, I guess you'd have a lot of evil and hate within you and you wouldn't behave yourself fairly. Whites think they run everything and thing is, they do not and this type of "we can" and you cannot illness keeps them in hot water constantly so they lie when they are confronted with their evil ways.\n\nMany times they don't even realize how evil they are but then when they do, they get mad and defensive and it turns into "I just don't care I'm white and I can do this" type sickness. That's when they really need to be eliminated by God, but God has his own time.\n\nAs far as interacting with them, I don't really care to...I don't associate with 'em much as they don't have goodness in their hearts and they always lie and cause major problems everywhere.\n\nThe world hates America mostly because of them and they group us all in the same bag. If they only knew how much many of us hate them for the horrific things they do on a daily basis and again they use their jobs to hurt people and laugh and have beers over their evil ways.\n\nWhat does God have to say about that? Well take a look:\n\nPsalms 37: 12 - The wicked one is plotting against the righteous one,\nAnd at him he is grinding his teeth.\n\n13 Jehovah himself will laugh at him,\nFor he certainly sees that his day will come.\n\nPsalms 37: 8 - Let anger alone and leave rage;\nDo not show yourself heated up only to do evil.\n\n 9 For evildoers themselves will be cut off,\nBut those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth.\n\nNice ending for the good people soon, so just exist and don't get too close to them...they will backstab you every time.
230810
The entire bible is an expression of people's beliefs.  I think there was something that could arguably have been against homosexuality that was attributed to God, but it's still someones statement of what they think, or wanted other people to think that God said to them.\n\nOne thing to keep in mind about homosexuality in the bible is that when it was written the terms had entirely different meanings.  In ancient Greece and Rome, sex was very much about power (far more than it is now).  In a heterosexual relationship, the man was dominant over the women.  In a homosexual male relationship (and this is all the bible says anything about), one partner was active and the other passive.  Male homosexual relations among people of equal social status were frowned up not because they were 'unnatural,' but because one man was showing submission to the other who was supposed to be his equal.  In parts of ancient Greece at various times, although sexual relationships between adult men were scorned, it was not only acceptable, but conventional for adult men, to engage in sexual relations with boys in their early to mid teens.  In this relationship, the man was the 'active' participant and the boy was the 'passive' participant.  Part of the purpose of the relationship was to solidify the social hierarchy.  When the boy grew up he would likely engage in a sexual relationship with a teenage boy before marrying, typically in his mid 30s.\n\nIn Romans, Paul make reference to women behaving in "unnatural" ways (or something to that effect).  This is often misinterpreted to refer to female homosexuality.  However, it is thought by scholars of ancient history to indicate sexual promiscuity in general.\n\nWhether your take biblical references to homosexuality to be the opinions of individuals or the word of God or Jesus, it is important to remember that at the time these statements were written, the notion of homosexuality, and sexuality in general, were quite different to what they are today.  The people who wrote these statements would likely have been as appalled by modern heterosexual relationships as they were by homosexual relations of their time.  When people point to the bible to say that homosexual relations are forbidden, they often fail to consider the historical context, and realize that it was less a matter of the gender of individual engaging in sexual relations that the power hierarchy it implied.