Actually, I think looking at the wording of this passage tells us a great deal about the people of the time. Notice the phrasing, there’s no single one word that directly translates as homosexual or even homosexuality. In order for those ancient, anonymous scribes to get the idea of man-to-man sex across, they used elaborate phrasing.
This, to me, would indicate that the concept of homosexuals and homosexuality (in the modern sense) was unknown to the ancient Israelites. There wasn’t a single word or phrase that accurately described the person or the act, so they relied on an elaborate phrase. They could only identify that one particular act not the whole class of behavior or people it’s associated with in the modern sense.
So, while at first the verse seems fairly (ahem) straight-forward, looking at it more deeply shows that it was pointing out something particular to the time and culture of the ancient Israelites rather than eternal truth of God.
Billdo, you already did that. I slept on your couch on January 5-6, 2002. However, unless someone can find a “thou shalt not lie with womankind as with mankind” verse, I think you’re off the hook:)
Another Christian checking in. In fact, a Baptist who also lives in the South but thinks the majority of the SBC policies are idiotic. :eek:
For me, personally, it isn’t my call whether homosexuality is a sin or not. Whether I agree or disagree, it is my belief that when Jesus came and was crucified he brought with him a “new law.” This law was to love God with all your heart, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.
Now for me, this verse tells me that I am to love everybody. Gay people. Straight people. White people. Black people. Pagans. Atheists. Agnostics. The bitch who cut me off in traffic this morning…you get the idea.
I think gay people should have every right in this country that I am privledged to have. I think the government should stay out of your bedrooms. I think you should be able to marry who you want. I think you should be able to have the same insurance and benfits that me and my husband are entitled to.
I honestly make my decisions on who I like and who I don’t like by that individual person. Not their racial group. Not by their sexuality. Not by their religious beliefs or lack thereof. If I don’t like you it is because you are an ass…pure and simple.
I am not a Biblical scholar and I don’t profess to be. My hope is that when I make it to heaven that I can look at God and tell Him that I did what I thought He wanted me to do and that I tried my best to love Him with all my heart, soul and strength and that I loved my neighbor as myself.
I fail every single day with that first part but I can look in the mirror every morning and have no guilt in saying that I am a person who judges you by your actions and nothing else.
Latin has word endings, which in many cases tell you that a word must, or cannot (etc) modify another word. I don’t know about Hebrew. Don’t dare raise that argument, though, with those who believe that the original Bible is actually written in English (despite the fact that what we consider modern-day English is in reality younger than this country). It can get quite hilarious from the POV of a spectator, but if you actually have to reason with one of those people … eh, I wouldn’t recommend trying. It’s like trying to boil water by blowing hot air over it.
Aries as an Anglo-American, Northern, Episcopalian to a Southern Baptist, you’re my kind of Christian! You said exactly what I believe, and normally the only person who does that is Polycarp! Thank you.
What Siege said. Aries, you and Sauron epitomize what I can respect in Baptists! Thank you for saying that!
And Andygirl, will you please stop sleepiung on everybody and his sister’s couch and go crawl into the bed of a girl who will love you and treat you right?!?
You said exactly what I believe, and normally the only person who does that is Polycarp! Thank you.