WHY does God see homosexuality as immoral? I have asked this question several times, but so far no-one has even attempted to answer it.
How DARE you question the mind of God? If the Bible (well, my interpretation of it anyway) says something is bad, then it is bad! And, if the Bible tells me that God loves me and not you, then who am I to question Him? I don't like it anymore than you do, and I don't think it's fair, but apparently I am in God's favor and gay people are not. I wish it was different. I would like for God's grace to extend to everyone, but that's just not the case. [end sarcasm]
That actually is a good question. Perhaps, an investigation of why Moses and Paul were apparently so repulsed by "homosexual offenders" might serve as an interpretive aid in understanding Scripture. Some Christians have proposed that these passages were in response to male on male rape, male prostitution, and/or pagan sexual rituals. Generally, those looking to use the Bible to beat homosexuals over the head will immediately discount these conclusions by stating that if this is what was meant, then that is what would have been said. But, if we are going to seek wisdom from a literary work from a specific people during a specific period in history, isn't it worth at least considering the social, political, and historical setting of the writing?
And, the same people who will relent on the gay issue will unconsciously apply the same reasoning to other Scripture. For example, there are at least two of the Ten Commandments (not to mention many other parts of the Mosaic law) that are generally disregarded by modern Christians. Likewise, Paul told the Church in Corinth that, "As in all the congregations of the saints, 34women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." Yet, very very few of even the most conservative churches allow their women to speak and to have opinions. They will say that Paul was speaking here about women in leadership roles, but the text is clear as day: women are not allowed to say anything, even to ask a question, in church. The reality is that most of us have decided, whether we are willing to admit to it or not, that Paul was speaking in regard to specific issues at a specific time in the history of the Church. So, why are we so resistant to use the same type of thinking in regard to homosexuality? My guess is that this is because women are a much larger part of the modern church than are homosexuals, and more specifically, we need women in our churches because they are essential to church growth. For some reason, we have decided that we don't need homosexuals, so we refuse to read the Scriptures concerning homosexuality as we do when the Scriptures speak about the role of women, the Law, slavery, and whole host of other issues. That, I think, is sad.
