God condemns homosexuality
Revision as of 20:32, 22 April 2007 by Woozle (talk | contribs) (Homosexuality is condemned by God moved to God condemns homosexuality: better title (shorter; active rather than passive; alphabetical))
Overview
It is often claimed, especially by religious extremists, that God condemns homosexuality.
Reference
Specific Religions
Christianity
Christians who oppose homosexuality usually support this argument with various passages in the Bible:
- Leviticus 18:22: "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (This of course says nothing regarding lesbianism.) All of Leviticus 18 seems to concern laws regarding sexual relationships. I have been told, however, that the Levitican laws are not to be taken as current law as they are "unfulfilled". Obviously not everyone agrees with that... --Woozle 16:08, 15 April 2007 (EDT)
- 1 Corinthians 6:9,10: "...Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men... will inherit God's kingdom."
Counterpoints
Rational Counterpoints
- There is no real evidence that a being such as God exists, much less that this being's opinions on anything are known, and still less that such opinions are accurately reflected by any of the religious scriptures condemning homosexuality.
- There is also reason to think that if God exists and condemned homosexuality in the past (722 BC or earlier, when the sources for the relevant books of the Bible were first distributed), there is no reason to assume that he has not changed his mind, as homosexuality is clearly becoming more acceptable in global society, and yet no new condemnations of homosexuality have been received from God (or any entity who arguably might be God) since then.
- Even if God does exist and does condemn homosexuality, this is solely an argument from authority as God has apparently never bothered to specify any reasons why it is bad.
Doctrinal Counterpoints
It is widely believed that "The Sin of Sodom" was homosexuality; this is not the case. Sodom's sin was actually being "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (Ezekiel 16:49, NIV translation)
See The Bible and homosexuality for many more points to consider.