What the Bible REALLY says about Homosexuality

The following is a choice excerpt from a project I have just completed. I analyse the original text of all the Biblical verses that are alleged to pertain to homosexuality and/or bisexuality. As it turns out, nothing in the Bible specifically condemns homosexuality. Rather, there is a heavy condemnation of engaging in Pagan sexual rituals, turning away from one's natural orientation, etc.

The full file is available ***here*** . Note that I composed this in WordPad under a resolution of 1280 x 1024, so other settings might look strange (e.g., M$Word creates odd paragraphing and indentations).

The section I post here is Genesis 19:4-5, The Sin of Sodom. This is but one of the following analysis':

Genesis 9:22 ... 24-25
Genesis 19:4-5
Genesis 21:9-10
Leviticus 18:22
Leviticus 20:13
Deuteronomy 22:5
Deuteronomy 23:17-18/18-19
1 Kings 14:24
1 Kings 15:12
1 Kings 22:47
2 Kings 23:7
1 Samuel 18:1-4, 19:2, 20:41
2 Samuel 1:26
Isaiah 3:9
Daniel 11:37
Joel 3:3 / 4:3
Romans 1:26-28...31-32
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
1 Timothy 1:9-10
2 Timothy 3:3
Jude 1:7-8
Revelation 14:1-4

NB: The verses in Deut 23 and in 1 & 2 Kings are collectively under 'Whoremongers and Sodomites', for reasons made obvious when read.
NB: Similarily, the verses in 1& 2 Samuel are collectively under 'Jonathan and David'.
NB: Some sources give different verse numbers for the same text; this is indicated.



Verse: Genesis 19:4-5
Original text: הַלָּיְלָה; הוֹצִיאֵם אֵלֵינוּ, וְנֵדְעָה אֹתָם. וַיִּקְרְאוּ אֶל-לוֹט וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ, אַיֵּה הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר-בָּאוּ אֵלֶיךָ וְעַד-זָקֵן: כָּל-הָעָם, מִקָּצֶה. טֶרֶם, יִשְׁכָּבוּ, וְאַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר אַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם נָסַבּוּ עַל-הַבַּיִת, מִנַּעַר
Transliteration: te rem yish ka vu v'an shei ha ir an shei s'dom na sa bu al-ha ba yit mi na ar v'ad-za ken kol-ha am mi ka tse : va yik r'u el-lot va yom ru lo a ye ha a na shim a sher-ba u e lei kha ha lai la ho tsi em e lei nu v'ned a o tam:
' 'An shei ha ir an shei s'dom', or 'Anshei ha'ir, anshei S'dom' can mean 'men of the city, even the men of Sodom', or 'the people of the city, the people of Sodom'. Clearly, the latter case negates any homosexual intentions by the mob, but the intended case is unknown.

Literal translation: Before they lie down, the men of the city -- men of Sodom -- have come round about against the house, from young even unto aged, all the people from the extremity; and they call unto Lot and say to him, `Where [are] the men who have come in unto thee to-night? bring them out unto us, and we know them.'
The verb 'know' is rather ambiguous, although it's sexual meaning is obvious in such contexts as a man 'knowing' a woman, and her bearing child as a result of the'knowing'. Here, it could mean the mob wanted to:

1. Gang rape the Angels, a common practice to humiliate men.
2. Have consensual sex with the Angels.
3. Interrogate the Angels, especially since Sodom had just survived a war (Gen 14:1-2).
4. Physically attack the Angels.

Summary: While the sin of Sodom is often seen to be homosexuality (and the tolerance thereof), this is not clear from the verse. First, the fate of the four cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim (Deut. 29:22-29) was sealed before the possibly-homosexual-rape incident with the Angels (though a temporally independant deity could punish for actions not yet commited, a stance taken by some conservative Christians). Second, it is not clear that the mob wanted to rape the Angels, or engage in consensual sex with them. Third, it is not clear that the mob is just all the city's men, or all the women as well.
The real sin of Sodom appears to be inhospility towards strangers, something held in very high regard in the times given that one's survival could depend on the charity of strangers. Ironically, the very passage that gives this sentiment is used by some to prejudically attack homosexuals.

Commentary [1]:

• A Mohler: "The Genesis passage is very clear, that the sin of Sodom that brought on the destruction of the city was indeed linked to homosexuality."
• T. Crater: "It's a sexual gratification offer. Lot obviously understood it that way, and he offers his daughters in place of his male visitors. It's clear the mob intended to have sex with them."
• K. Stendahl: "It's a folk story. It even has a little black humor, in the fact that he [Lot] is so anxious to protect his guests that he's willing to sacrifice his daughters. To make a biblical ethics story out of it is not very wise."
• D. Bartlett: "Many of the Bible's stories don't mean what they seem on their face. Many mainstream scholars say it [the Genesis passage] is about hospitality and how to deal with the messengers of God. If it does refer to homosexual behavior, it's homosexual rape. They don't just want to lie down with them voluntarily; they want to rape the angels."
• R Kimelman: "In the Mideast then, once a man has entered into your home, your responsibility to his protection is your primary moral obligation, even if it's at the expense of your own daughters. The Bible is recording a story; it is not mandating behavior."
• J.K. Nelson: "If you read it literally, in its English translation, without considering its context, one could say the Bible condemns homosexual activities. When we look at the Bible and try to draw moral rules for living, but we take it out of the context of the time when they were written, we do them a great injustice."
• The National Gay Pentecostal Alliance [2]: "[Men, women, and children came to Lot's house] This alone tells us that the traditionalists were wrong about the intent of this mob: If you are planning a homosexual orgy, you don't invite the wife and kids!"

[1] Fred Tasker, "What does the Bible say about homosexuality?", Philadelphia Inquirer, 1997-JUL-13. The article was based on an earlier survey of religions opinion of 6 theologians and religious leaders covering the range from conservative to liberal thought:

1. David Bartlett, professor at Yale Divinity School
2. Rev. Timothy Crater of the National Association of Evangelicals
3. Reuven Kimelman, professor of near Eastern and Judaic studies at Brandeis University.
4. R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Seminary
5. The Rev. Jill Nelson, pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church
6. Krister Stendahl, ex-dean of Harvard Divinity School.

[2] National Gay Pentecostal Alliance (NGPA), at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianandGay/files/Homosexuality%20and%20Scripture/SODOM2.rtf . The NGPA has since merged with the Apostolic Intercessory Ministry to create the Apostolic Restoration Mission at: http://www.apostolicrestorationmission.4t.com/





Naturally, I welcome all offers of extensions, counters, etc.

OK, different hoster selected. Hope this helps!
http://www.filefactory.com/file/aed39a/