“Many are quick to cite Leviticus when condemning homosexuality. “A man shall not lie with a man as one does with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Lev. 18:22) This condemnation is invalid for the modern day on several counts:

1) Not all that was forbidden or commanded the OT Jew carries the same injunction for the Christian. The Mosaic laws could also be used to condemn most Christians. Work is forbidden on the Sabbath (Saturday), as well as clothing woven of two different fibers (cotton-polyester blends), all pig meat (bacon), women wearing men’s attire (pants) and men who clip their beards. The Law commands us to have our mildew ridden clothes inspected by a priest. New mothers would have to be expelled from church an entire month after giving birth if Christians observed the Law. Are we still under the Law? Why would one require it still of gays?

2) Some justify extra criticism regarding the supposed sin of homosexuality given the characterization “abomination.” They seem to fail to realize that the same word in Leviticus relating to homogenital contact (“abomination” – Hebrew: toevah) is also used to describe many other practices, some of which are rather innocuous today. The things that were toevah to the Hebrews include: sex with menstruating women (Lev 18:22), the silver and gold of idols (Deut 7:25), the rabbit, the pig and shellfish (Deut 14:3-21), psychics (Deut 18:9-12), unfair weights and measures (Deut 25:13-16), women who wear men’s clothes (Deut 22:5), a man who remarries his divorced wife (Deut 24:4), a women who defends her husband by crushing his opponent’s genitals (Deut 25:11-16), as well as any person who disobeys the law (Prov 28:9).

3) Some like to single out homosexuality as an especially heinous sin because of the penalty that was attached to it – death. Yet, capital punishment was also the OT sentence for manslaughter, kidnap, children who cursed their parents, people who did any manner of work on Saturdays, adherents to other religions, contempt of court and refusal to obey one’s parents. (Gen 9:6, Ex 21:16, 17, Ex 35:2, Dt 13:9, Dt 17:12, Dt 21:21)

Should our civil law reflect the mores of the ancient Hebrews? It would be hypocritical to stand upon the two arguably anti-gay OT scriptures and yet ignore the many which no longer conform to our culture.

4) Despite Jesus’ supposed claim that no single law would pass away, most Christians agree that we are no longer under the Law. A common justification for ignoring certain laws while demanding the observance of others is made by the seemingly arbitrary division of the Law into the categories of social, ritual and moral commandments. Some argue that homosexual practices are still forbidden as part of the “moral law.” This ignores however the changing nature of God’s moral injunctions regarding sexual relationships.

In the beginning, God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply.” One might argue that sex was only for purposes of procreation. Initially, the descendants of Adam had to engage in incest in order to procreate. God later forbade this practice. Many in the days of the Old Testament were polygamous. This positively enhanced the ability to procreate. By the time of the writing of the New Testament, church leaders called for monogamy. Sex was also seen as a duty between the members of a monogamous couple, though not necessarily for the purpose of bearing children. (1 Cor 7:3-4) This is the sacred sperm theory. Accordingly, Hebrew law forbade any practice that wasted the seed of life. Note that the Old Testament nowhere fobids lesbian behavior.

It is also possible that male-male intercoure was seen to emasculate the passive partner. In Hebrew society, women were seen as property. Could it be that the law givers wanted to forbid a sexual practice which they believed lowered the status of the male? It is also known that in Old Testament times, conquerers would rape the men that they defeated as a further sign of their dominance.

It is most likely that the Hebrews associated the practice of male homosexuality with the cultic practices of neigboring peoples. The act of a male lying with a male was called an “abomination,” in Hebrew toevah. Toevah was often associated with idolatry and specifically with temple prostitution.

“there were also male temple prostitutes in the land. They committed all the abominations of the nations that the LORD drove out before the people of Israel.” (NRSV 1 Kings 14:24 )

The same word in Leviticus relating tohomogenital contact (“abomination” – Hebrew: toevah) is also used to describe many other practices, some of which are rather innocuous today.

The things that were toevah to the Hebrews include:

sex with menstruating women (Lev 18:22),

the silver and gold of idols (Deut 7:25),

contact with and the eating of the rabbit, the pig and shellfish (Deut 14:3-21),

psychics (Deut 18:9-12), unfair weights and measures (Deut 25:13-16),

women who wear men’s clothes (Deut 22:5),

a man who remarries his divorced wife (Deut 24:4),

a women who defends her husband by crushing his opponent’s genitals (Deut 25:11-16),

as well as any person who disobeys the law (Prov 28:9). “

Source:

Hans-Michael http://members.aol.com/hansss/bible-stuff.html “Cool Bible stuff in 20 different languages!”

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I realize that this was probably a waste of time to tell you any ot this, because you will say that all this is just the “perverted” interpetation of homosexuals ” or as ~you~ loving people like to say “sodomites”…

Fine…..

Then let me close by adding:

Since “bible-literalist christians” like yourself claim that the Bible is to be taken literally when it comes to homosexuality, I challenge you (and them) to take the words of Jesus literally and obey HIM!!!

Jesus said sell all your poscession bible literalists, when will you do so?

Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. (NIV)

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (KJV)

Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (KFV)

Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ³You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.² When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, ³How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.² 26 Those who heard this asked, ³Who then can be saved?² (NIV)

Luke 5: 4 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Christians who constantly claim that the Bible is to be taken literally would be more convincing if they took the words of Him whom they call “Lord”, that is Jesus literally and actually obeyed Him!!!

All the Commands of Jesus http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1734/alljesus.html

If the Bible applies to me, does it apply to you? http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1734/bible4.html

Bible Misuses http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1734/bible-misuses.html

Sin and Sodomites http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/1734/sodomites.html

Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian

The Lord is my Shepherd and He knows I’m Gay http://www.geocities.com/ninure

The world’s second most subversive document http://www.geocities.com/ninure/declaration.html – Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches http://www.ufmcc.com