Brightmorningstar:
You seem hung up on the fact that the word "rape" nowhere occurs in Genesis 19. So let's analyze this:
In the English language, 'rape' means the forcing of sexual intromission on an unwilling party. So when the men of Sodom told Lot, "Send the men out so that we may know the"m, one of the following three options is true:
1. "Know" (YD) is not euphemistic, as it usually is in the Torah, for "have sexual contact with", and the men of Sodom merely wished to throw a "Welcome to Sodom" party and become better acquainted with Lot's guests. The reactions of the characters in the Biblical account suggest this was not the case. OR
2. God's holy angels wished to take the submissive role in male-on-male sex with all the men of Sodom. Given Lot's reaction and the strictures against doing so elsewhere in Torah, plus the comment in Jude on the subject; I think this can be ruled out. OR
3. The men of Sodom wished to rape the angels.
Whatever may be the case regarding God's opinions of non-rape male-male sex, it's more than abundantly clear that what is described in Genesis 19 is an attempt at gang rape of two angels appearing in the persona of two young men.
Now, a few other points. You seem also to be hung up on the idea that the Bible does not mention sexual orientation, and appear to draw the conclusion that it therefore does not 'really' exist. But if we look at Leviticus 18, we find God commanding:
- Do not have sex with your mother or stepmother. Well, most men would not desire to do so; this command is obviously to prohibit those who do so desire.
- Do not have sex with your sister or half-sister. Likewise, most men have no such desire, and the command is to warn off those who do have such desires.
- Do not have sex with your granddaughter. Same thing; most men don't want to, and the command is against those who do.
- Do not have sex with your aunt, whether she is your father or mother's sister or your uncle's wife. Again most men don't want to, and the command is directed at those who do.
- Do not have sex with your daughter-in-law or sister-in-law. While some men might feel desire for a woman in those roles, most men would respect their brother or son enough not to attempt sex with his wife.
After a few more commandments in the same vein, including not sacrificting any of your children to Molech (!), we get good old 18:22, do not lie with a man as with a woman. How difficult is it to conclude that this commandment aligns with the others before it, in being directed at that subgroup of people who might have such desires?
And finally, after a prohibition of bestiality, we get a repeat of what this chapter began with: These are things the Egyptians and the Canaanites do, which the Children of Israel are commanded not to do. And the list concludes that those who do are to be cut off from the people.
Now, what did Jesus say about the Law? Did He, like the Pharisees, insist that every one of the 613 commandments be followed to the letter? Or was His message something different, something that cuts to the quick of how we should behave toward others?
And what did Paul say about the Law? Was he enamored of the idea of compelling all converts to observe every jot and tittle of it? Or did Jesus's Atonement mean something greater to him?
Jesus did not condemn sin. Nor did He condone sin. He
forgave sin. And He said to forgive as He had forgiven, for by the measure by which we forgive will we be forgiven.
Think that through. Then before you go nailing Lambeth 1.10 to the door and slamming it in people's faces, consder Whose Face it is that you're really slamming it in.
And as a note to staff, I have carefully tried to phrase this as in no way a "promotion of homosexuality" but instead as a statement that there is welcome and forgiveness for all us sinners -- homosexuals included. There's a difference between a person and his or her sin.