Things I’ve Learned About Homosexuality from my Conservative Christian College Experience.
Recent articles in the school newspaper and numerous conversations about the topic has brought to light just how ‘big’ the homosexuality issue is here at Houghton College. After lengthy observation, these are the facts that I have learned about Christianities stance on homosexuality in the church:
- It is a sin. There is no question.
- While it is taboo to profess homosexual tendencies, it is not taboo to practice them i.e. holding hands, spooning, claiming love for the other person, hugging, talking with lisps, etc.
- If you don’t tell me you’re gay, than you must not be gay, and that’s okay.
- Taking biblical references completely out of context is okay, and is especially encouraged when battling the issue of homosexuality.
*Note extreme sarcasm.
Most of the problem here is the fact that these who argue against homosexuality have never actually asked if it’s a sin. So let’s look at these facts that supposedly hold so much water in the argument against homosexuality.
Leviticus 20:13 – ‘If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they have both committed a detestable act.’ (emphasis added)
So, now lets take this in the context of the rest of the chapter. This chapter is Moses laying down all the laws the Hebrews are to follow according to what God has told him. These laws include:
- 11:10 – But you must never eat animals from the sea or from rivers that do not have both fins and scales.
- 19:19 – Do not plant your field with two different kinds of seed.
- 19:19 – Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of thread.
- 19:27 – Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards.
- 19:28 – Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos.
So, if you want to argue for Leviticus talking down to homosexuals, how come you don’t take into account the other numerous laws that are ignored in modern times? It is common practice to get tattoos and for men to grow out and then shave their beards during ‘no-shave November’ and hockey playoff season. But it’s wrong to be gay? Anyone who argues from this chapter contradicts themselves and loses all validity.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah were full of ‘sinful’ people, so God sent some angels to see if there really was anyone worth saving in the city. The angels are appalled at what they find and the city is burnt to the ground. For those of you still lost, this is the story where Lot’s wife gets turned into a pillar of salt.
People love to attribute the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to the homosexual tendencies that appear to have pervaded the town, but honestly, it doesn’t say that anywhere. Please, can anyone point out the passage that says it was burned to the ground due to their homosexual tendencies? Anyone?
What the bible does say is that it was burned because of “pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside” (Ezekiel 16:49). Jeremiah says that Jerusalem prophets are as evil as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah because they “commit adultery and love dishonestly” (Jeremiah 23:14). Where is this supposed reference to homosexuality that I’m missing?
Mark 10:1-12
Jesus says, “God made them male and female (he was quoting Genesis here) from the beginning of creation,” which obviously implies that marriage is only to be between a man and a woman (right?).
If one actually takes this in context, the passage is talking about the morality of divorce. ‘But Jesus said marriage only happens between a man and a woman,’ you say. Well, yes he does, but that’s because the Pharisee’s ask him three verses earlier “should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?” Naturally, Jesus would use ‘man’, ‘woman’, and ‘marriage’ in the same sentence when he crafted his response. If Jesus had maybe mentioned that marriage was ONLY to be between a man and a woman, then one would have grounds for arguing. But Jesus doesn’t say that. So how again do we draw a connection to homosexuality here, because I don’t see where Jesus alludes to that? Someone could argue ‘well, just because Jesus didn’t say that marriage can be between a man and a man doesn’t make it good,’ which is reasonable. But then again he didn’t tell us at we had to pee in a toilet and he didn’t tell us we can use the internet to evangelize. We still do those things, even though he never mentions it.
Romans 1: 24-27
Paul talks about how the people back then started to ignore God and gave in to their own ungodly ways which included homosexuality. It is also of interest to note that this is the first and only time we see a mention of lesbianism. It would appear that Paul is quite clear that if we give in to same-gender tendencies, than we are ignoring God.
A valid argument, but then why do we ignore the other things Paul says about relationships? 1 Corinthians 11:10 says, “For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority” (emphasis added). Why did Paul say this? Look two verses earlier. “For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman was made for man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.” So, it’s okay to ignore this part of Paul, but blindly accept his interpretation of homosexuality? I’m not trying to disprove Paul. I am merely asking why, once again, we get to pick and choose what we say is law, just like in Leviticus. I am also questioning his credibility as to a relationship adviser, because it was Paul who suggested everyone be single to begin with.
There is obviously a big question here, and I think the reason that it’s still so big has so much to do with the fact that there are people who think it’s wrong or right. The problem lays with the staunch anti-homosexuals who seem to have little evidence that it’s actually a sin without contradicting themselves. The rest of us ‘I’m fine with homosexual’ folk would love to understand where the others are coming from, but I have not heard a shred of evidence that supports the suppression of gay rights. So please, lay it on me. Where is this argument that you are finding?
I think that marriage is about a commitment, and that commitment can glorify God in any context, man with man or man with woman. If a homosexual couple is leading a Christian life that seeks to please God, than God shall be pleased. I cannot fathom a God who, when someone seeks to make Him happy, God is still upset because of the persons sexual orientation. Does that not limit God’s love?
And if you still think the gays are going to Hell, I encourage you to read the article below, entitled “Love, Actually” and leave your thoughts there as well.
