What Does The Bible
Say About Homosexuality?

(prepared by Wilfrid R. Koponen, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.A.R., M.A.)

Background. Recently, Stanford University gave recognition to domestic partners of students. The recognition allowed the domestic partners access to libraries, gyms, pools, and - most importantly - married student housing. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance at Stanford (GLAS) gave a series of three forums to people at Escondido Village - where the married students live. The second forum dealt with different religions' views of homosexuality. Wilfrid was invited to be a panellist because he has a Master of Arts in Religion from Yale Divinity School and he is openly gay (if not, I just outed him - oops, sorry). He was 'disinvited' at the last minute, but that's another saga. Wilfrid prepared a handout and the Bible and homosexuality. He gave his permission to post it around. So here goes..... BTW, this is long.....

1. What did Jesus say about homosexuality?

Jesus never mentions the subject of homosexuality in the Holy Bible.

2. Does the Bible condemn the sexual orientation of gays and Lesbians?

Strictly speaking, the Bible nowhere condemns homosexuality *as a sexual orientation*. The concept of 'sexual orientation' does not appear in the Bible; the idea is only about a century old; the word 'homosexuality' was not even coined until the 19th century; no such word existed in the Greek in which the New Testament was written. Certain Biblical passages do condemn particular homosexual acts. (See #5.)

3. What Christian ministries to 'convert people from the gay lifestyle'? Is it possible to change gay people into heterosexuals?

There is absolutely no reputable study indicating that a permanent change in sexual orientation is possible. (Of course it is possible for some people, at least in the short term, to outwardly conform to others' expectations, while repressing and denying their true and natural gay or Lesbian feelings.) It is hard to reconcile the manipulation (sometimes involving aversion therapy, etc.)( and condemnation of gay s with a gospel of love and forgiveness and faith. (See #7: "Blair.")

4. Many Fundamentalists suggest that women should remain the home, submitting to their husbands. does the Bible especially condemn Lesbianism?

No. Only *one* passage in the entire Bible (both Old and New Testaments) refers to homosexual activity among women: St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (1:26). t. Pauls' attitude towards women is generally critical; he viewed marriage as merely a last resort against burning with (heterosexual) lust. (See 1 Corinthians 7:9.)

5. Some TV Evangelists act as if homosexuality among men were the worst sin. What Biblical texts do they base this on? Is their approach legitimate?

The supposedly sweeping Biblical condemnation of homosexuality rests almost exclusively on only the following eight (brief) passages; (all other references merely reiterate or comment upon these eight passages, and so are merely cited in parentheses):

I. Deuteronomy 23:17-18. (Cf 1 Kings 14:22-24, 15:22, 22:46, and 2 Kings 23:7.) This passage, in the most scholarly, reliable, modern translations, refers only to (now defunct) male and female temple prostitutes. Old translations of the Hebrew term for 'male temple prostitute' as 'sodomite' are simply inaccurate; some scholars think these male prostitutes serviced female customers, not males. this passage hardly applies to today's gays and Lesbians!

II & III. Genesis 19:4-11; Judges 19:22 (Cf. Jude 6-7; 2 Peter 2:4,
6-8.) Most people assume Sodom was destroyed due to God's judgements upon the homosexual lusts of the inhabitants. Yet many now argue that the sin of Sodom was lack of hospitality to the angelic visitors who stayed with Lot. How does the rest of the Bible explain the 'sin of Sodom'? It is clear from Ezekiel 16:49-50 that Sodom's sin was primarily pride, wealth, and indifference to the needy; it is also evident from Luke 10:10-12 that Jesus explicitly stated that many sins would be punished more severely on the day of Judgement than the sins of Sodom. even if the sins of Sodom were in part sexual, it is important to note that it is the violence of the treatment of the strangers that is condemned -- something that hardly applies to acts performed between *consenting* adults.

IV & V. Levitcus 18:22, 20:13-14. "You shall not lie with a man as a woman: that is abomination" (New English Bible). This part of the "Holiness Code" of the Old Testament, which also condemns the practice of eating rare meat or wearing a fabric from more than one material - anyone eating a rare steak while wearing a cotton/polyester is doubly violating this holiness code! (Funny: these things don't seem to bother Fundamentalists.) Leviticus also states that any man or woman caught in adultery '*must* be put to death' (Lev. 20:10). Preachers quick to call homosexual acts an 'abomination' are not insisting that Jim Bakker *must* be "put to death"! And for good reason: the New Testament repeatedly declares the Hebrew Holiness Code or "Law" has been replaced by the new dispensation in Christ. Jesus said of the woman caught in adultery: "If any one of you is without sin, let him to be the first to throw a stone at her" (New International Version; John 8:3-11). Furthermore, the "detestable" nature of lying "as a woman" refers to a male's assuming the *passive role in anal intercourse*, which was held as an abomination because of taking on the inferior status of women. Apparently it does not view the "active" role in anal intercourse as an abomination, nor other homosexual acts, e.g., fellatio. (John Boswell's book examines this - see #7.)

VI & VII. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10. The key words are translated differently in different versions: from 1 Cor.: "catamites, sodomites" (Moffat); "effeminate, homosexuals" (ASV); "homosexual perversion: (New English Bible); "Male prostitutes, homosexual offenders" (New International Version) etc.; 1 Timothy is also variously translated. However, there was no noun in Greek for homosexual; apparently the translations condemning homosexuals are inaccurate. The Greek words suggest not "homosexual" but "effeminate" or "morally weak or soft" or "cowardly."

VIII. Romans 1:26-27. The only passage in the Bible mentioning Lesbian acts. Conclusion: The supposedly sweeping Biblical condemnation of homosexuality simply doesn't hold up to close scrutiny, as it is limited to acts of prostitute, idolatry, violent or non-consensual acts, inaccurate translations, or outmoded prejudices against women and their supposed inferiority. How can these be applied to a committed relationship based on love (rather than mere lust) between two consenting adults of the same gender?

6. When homophobic people start using the Bible to attack me, how can I verbally defend myself? Are there any passages in the Bible that seem to support gay relationships, or at least, indicate that perhaps marrying and having children is not the ultimate Christian duty?

There seems to be little point in arguing with people who believe the earth was created in 4,004 B.C.E.; this doesn't mean that you have to accept their interpretation of the Bible. Remember: these people are not homophobic to begin with. (You might chide them for wearing mixed fabric or ask them if Jim Bakker *must* be "put to death" - if you really enjoy arguing.) You might familiarise yourself with the many Biblical passages (too numerous to mention here) that stress love, compassion, forgiveness of sins, not judging others, etc.

Remember: Jesus himself never married nor had children! Other parts of the Bible simply can't be forced into the "family values" obsession of the Fundamentalists, for example:

7. How can I get more information about these topics? What books are available?

A few sources of further information are:

NOTE: Several denominations now ordain openly gay or Lesbian aspirants to the priesthood or ministry, perform holy union ceremonies for same-gender couples, etc.; the Metropolitan Community Church ministers primarily to the gay and Lesbian community.

© 2005 LINQ Communications