Context of "Homosexuality is an abomination"

[NJPaint]

Dr Laura Schlessinger is a US radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently [ca.2003], she said that homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet [reposted from The Humor Archives]:

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that (Leviticus 18:22) clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in (Exodus 21:7). In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev.15:19-24). The problem is, how do tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. (Lev. 25:44) states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians.Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. (Exodus 35:2) clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. (Lev. 21:20) states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by (Lev.19:27). How should they die?

9. I know from (Lev.11:6-8) that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates (Lev. 19:19) by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan, Jim

I know a few prominent people on AO call homosexuality an abomination and I want to know a) do you follow all the other things listed here or is homosexuality a special case? b) if you don't, are there other Bible things or other things that make homosexuality an abomination?

And yes, these are serious questions. I am by no means pro-gay marriage nor am I against it. I want information.


ps. My official stance is, "I am against state sanctioned marriage" (ie homosexuals and heterosexuals should all get civil unions in civil courts. People can get married in whatever way they choose outside of the country's legal stuff.)

[cphilip]

I find its a natural urge in some people and don't give a hoot what they do in the privacy of thier own home.

Animals of all kinds have Homosexual tendencies. Its not unique to humans so it must be a missfire of the general tendencies that occurs in nature. So its to some degree a "Normal Abnormalty" so I do not condem them for their fate. No one would "chose" to be Homosexual. It would be a choice bringing on condemnation and ridicule. So it is in my opinion an uncontrolable tendency.

Law is another matter. If the majority of people find it fine to allow "marrage" then I would go along with that. But change the law so its legal. If not then I see no reason they cannot sign legal papers giving thier partners the same rights and privelages as is marrage. It makes no difference to me. It does not realy affect me either way.

[Maksimus54]

I agree with cphilip on that. I dont think anybody would choose to be gay. It appears to be a very rough lifestyle with few breaks from society. Gay people are just normal people who happen to be attracted to the same sex and I don't believe they should be treated any different for that. I also don't believe they should be able to marry. They should get civil unions and such, but marriage is and always has been between a man and a woman. Changing that would open the debate to more "interesting" combinations.

[NJPaint]

I really don't want this to be a political thread debating gay-marriage. (it will be closed) I want a realistic religious perspective of the Bible and its condemnation of homosexuality.

[Jack_Dubious]

homosexuality is gay!


JDub

[spantol]

... but marriage is and always has been between a man and a woman.

It's a little off-topic, but the Ancient Greek city-states would disagree with that statement, as would latter-day Romans. Awhile back, I read a really great article about gay marriage throughout history; I'll see if I can dig it up again. This isn't it, but it's pretty close to a summary of that article.

[spantol]

I saw that written in a bathroom stall once. Nearly fell off the pot laughing.

homosexuality is gay!


JDub

[cphilip]

It's a little off-topic, but the Ancient Greek city-states would disagree with that statement, as would latter-day Romans. Awhile back, I read a really great article about gay marriage throughout history; I'll see if I can dig it up again.

There may have been times it was practiced. But its base in in old Jewish Law where it was not accepted as a legal form of property rights to any homosexual partners that may have existed at the time. And I am sure they did. So at its base it was Man Woman and distribution of property and its reason was more to establish an inheritance chain of property. Nothing realy more than that was intended. It was assumed that it was to determine the passage of property to any offspring from a man and woman having children. So its primary reason for existance is Heterosexuality.

[spantol]

It's one of those instances of parallel development of social constructs. I don't believe the ancient greeks were all that affected by Jewish Law. The Greco-Roman construct of gay marriage almost certainly conferred property rights, but this was obviously displaced when Christianity became prominent in that region.

And we're now way, way off topic.

There may have been times it was practiced. But its base in in old Jewish Law where it was not accepted as a legal form of property rights to any homosexual partners that may have existed at the time. And I am sure they did. So at its base it was Man Woman and distribution of property and its reason was more to establish an inheritance chain of property. Nothing realy more than that was intended. It was assumed that it was to determine the passage of property to any offspring from a man and woman having children. So its primary reason for existance is Heterosexuality.

[spantol]

Figured I should probably take a crack at the OP:

I was raised Catholic, so I'll try to answer from that perspective.

Even excluding the Bible verses that explicity condemn homosexuality, you still have the proscription of expressly non-reproductive sexual activity. As all homosexual sex is necessarily non-reproductive, homosexuality by extension becomes an abomination in the eyes of the Church.

[Pickle]

I think Dr. Laura is shameful to Christians. She is demeaning to others and well, just not nice. Top that off her degree is not in psychology.

Although humorous you first example is misleading, to a point. You need to use New Testament references.

Romans 1:25-30ish Paul speaks against homosexuality. In verse 26 Paul highlights the dishonour of sexual acts which are contrary to the created order of male/female relationships. [3] He first makes mention of sexual intercourse between females [4], and then draws attention in greater detail to similar homosexual activity between men.

1 Corinthians 6:9 also speaks againt homosexuality.
King james version: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
New American Standard: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,

The only sexual union that is given the okay in the bible is between a man and a woman.

Additionally, and I think this is where many Christians fall themselves. It is also important to note that we all share in the fallenness of this present world order. For that reason, homosexual behaviour is not more heinous than other sins, which reflect the world in opposition to God. Accordingly, there is no justification for the persecution of such persons, who still bear the image of God, despite their sinful behaviour.

I hope this helps.

Some reference material pulled from here

[cphilip]

It's one of those instances of parallel development of social constructs. I don't believe the ancient greeks were all that affected by Jewish Law. The Greco-Roman construct of gay marriage almost certainly conferred property rights, but this was obviously displaced when Christianity became prominent in that region.

And we're now way, way off topic.

Good points Spanny!

Ok lets interject this into the mix. Just for fun...

If homosexuals are allowed to be Married (legaly) then why do we stop Polygamy? I mean they all agree to be married and so whats the harm? And further down the line why do we have laws against you marrying your First Cousin? Statistics prove that there is little chance of genetic disorder and even if there were the family history is well known so they would tend not to have children if there is risk. We breed animals that close together for genetic advantages. Why would we not "keep it all in the family" if these is no real medical reason for it?


are those some kind of moral based law too? Would allowing Homosexuals to be legaly married open up those laws to challenge as well?

[Pickle]

you still have the proscription of expressly non-reproductive sexual activity.

Is that actually scriptural though?

Would allowing Homosexuals to be legaly married open up those laws to challenge as well?

I believe it would

[NJPaint]

Good points Spanny!

Ok lets interject this into the mix. Just for fun...

If homosexuals are allowed to be Married (legaly) then why do we stop Polygamy? I mean they all agree to be married and so whats the harm? And further down the line why do we have laws against you marrying your First Cousin? Statistics prove that there is little chance of genetic disorder and even if there were the family history is well known so they would tend not to have children if there is risk. We breed animals that close together for genetic advantages. Why would we not "keep it all in the family" if these is no real medical reason for it?


are those some kind of moral based law too? Would allowing Homosexuals to be legaly married open up those laws to challenge as well?

Although it may be "morally wrong" to marry your cousin, no one is forcing them to do it and though it maybe taboo, if it isn't genetically problematic, I don't understand why the government should punish people for it. As to polygymy. It is different from homosexuality in that there are more than two people in the relationship (duh). That having been said, in civil matters (like taxes and such) it can cause huge problems. (but two people, regardless of sex can file taxes just the same as the next two people)

[NJPaint]

Figured I should probably take a crack at the OP:

I was raised Catholic, so I'll try to answer from that perspective.

Even excluding the Bible verses that explicity condemn homosexuality, you still have the proscription of expressly non-reproductive sexual activity. As all homosexual sex is necessarily non-reproductive, homosexuality by extension becomes an abomination in the eyes of the Church.

For that reasoning, masturbation and contraceptives are just as sinful as homosexuality. But you don't see the same fanatisism against those as you do against gays.