Q

uestion

23

What does the Bible really say about

homosexuality?

Christian Piatt

A.

Perhaps nothing sparks more heated debate over scripture than the

biblical position on homosexuality. First off, it should be pointed

out that there is no reference whatsoever in any biblical scripture to

homosexuality; rather, scripture refers in some instances to homosexual acts.

Depending on your understanding of sexual orientation, there can be a big

difference between the two.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is perhaps the most famous—or

infamous—but it’s important to understand how homosexual behavior was

used in the town from which the term “sodomy” was coined. When a town

was conquered, one way that the victorious army would demonstrate their

dominance was to rape the women of the village. Sometimes, to add further

insult to the defeat, they would even rape the men.

Rather than an intimate act, this behavior actually was a military strategy,

though brutal and repulsive, to break the spirits of the defeated culture.

Other references, including those by the apostle Paul, condemn men for

lying with men as if they are women. Again, some context helps us under-

stand that certain non-Christian religions of the time conducted ritual orgies

as a tribute to their god or gods, and though it can be argued either way, it’s

possible that Paul was referring to what he considered a heathenish religious

practice rather than consensual gay sex.

Jesus never spoke about homosexuality or homosexual acts, so for those

who look principally to him for guidance, we’re left with our own consciences

to guide us.

Kathy Escobar

Who is...

?

Kathy Escobar

I hate wearing pants and socks, and I have lived

in Colorado for thirteen years now. I’m the one

in capri pants and  ip- ops in December.

A.

The passages that are commonly used as an argument against

homosexuality are Romans 1:26–27, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, and

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.