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Isn’t the Bible vague and unclear on the issue of homosexuality (barely even mentioning it)?
The Bible is extremely clear and pointed on the issue of homosexuality to those familiar with it. Homosexuality is referred to as early as Genesis 18 and is addressed multiple times throughout both the Old and New Testaments---and always, negatively, as sin. In the Old Testament law it is listed alongside of the prohibition to having sex with animals---in the section dealing with gross sexual perversions (Lev. 18:22-23; 20:13, 15-16). Sodom and Gomorrah, cities God destroyed because ‘their sin is so great’ (Gen. 18:20-21), are known primarily for their homosexuality (Gen. 19:3-8). The New Testament says of them: “they gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion” and “serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7). Far from being simply an ‘outdated’ OT ceremonial prohibition, homosexuality is also clearly condemned as sin in the NT as well. One passage (Romans 1:24, 26-28) uses nine different
terms to condemn this practice: ‘sinful desires’, ‘sexual impurity’, ‘degrading of their bodies’, ‘shameful lusts’, ‘unnatural’, ‘inflamed with lust’, ‘indecent acts’, ‘perversion’ and ‘depraved mind.’ Does this sound ‘vague’ or ‘unclear?’ Jesus, who spoke primarily to Jewish crowds who were already very familiar with all the OT laws condemning sexual sins (see John 8:3-11), never specifically mentions homosexuality in the gospels. Gay activists and liberal theologians claim Jesus’ silence indicates he must have thought homosexuality was ‘okay.’ But Jesus also never mentions sex with animals, rape, or incest---does that mean he thought they were ‘okay’? Such thinking is obviously faulty logic. Jesus simply condemned ‘sexual immorality’ in general (Matt.15:19; Mark 7:21) without itemizing all the various perversions possible. And Jesus was anything but ‘soft’ concerning sexual sin---he raised the standard (Matt. 5:27-30).
(Other references: Judg. 19:22-20:13; 1 Kings 12:24; 15:12; 22:46; Job 36:14; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
But aren’t people born ‘gay’ (isn’t it genetic and not a choice)? If God made them that way how can it be wrong? God doesn’t make mistakes, right?
Scripture says that God simply created us ‘male’ and ‘female’ (Gen. 1:27; Matt 19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9), not heterosexuals, homosexuals, lesbians, and bisexuals. No one is born ‘gay’, but because of The Fall people do sin in many ways, and some of these sins involve sex (adultery, fornication, incest, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality, etc.). Only God, the Creator, has the authority to proclaim to those He has created which behaviors are permissible and which are not. He has clearly declared all sex outside of marriage as sinful and has clearly defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman (Heb. 13:4; Mal. 2:15; Gen. 2:24; Matt. 15:19; Mk 7:21). Despite
the claims of some gay activists, no reputable scientific studies come close to establishing that a homosexual ‘orientation’ is genetic. Indeed, honest evaluation of the findings indicates just the opposite. Identical twins---with 100% identical genes---are still both gay less than 50% of the time. Careful analysis of the various twin studies shows that the nearly identical environments and experiences of many twins (and non-twin siblings) is the dominant factor influencing homosexual behavior. Despite the many searches for some ‘common’ genetic linkage which can be claimed to ‘cause’ homosexuality, all that has been discovered is what common sense would tell us---that a person’s character traits are in part innate but are subject to modification by both experience and choice. God doesn’t make any people as homosexuals. He never tempts anyone (James 1:13-15) and assures us that He will not allow us to be irresistibly tempted to sin (1 Cor. 10:13). Despite any hereditary or environmental influences, believers can resist all temptations.
Examples of homosexual behavior (such as same sex activity among some animals) can be found in nature---doesn’t that prove homosexuality is ‘natural’?
Scripture refers to homosexual behavior as ‘unnatural’ (Rom. 1:26-27) and a ‘perversion’ (Rom. 1:27; Jude 7). It is a form of sexual sin, not morally neutral ‘natural’ behavior. Cannibalism and other bizarre behaviors are also seen among animals. People said to be “acting like animals” are generally not being complimented. Animals are not the standard for ‘normal’ human behavior. Justification for almost any kind of behavior can be found among animals.
What makes a person ‘gay’?
Scripture is clear that it is the habit (lifestyle) of carrying out same gender sexual acts that labels a person a homosexual. It has nothing to do with a ‘sexual orientation’. Simply being tempted by or attracted to members of the same sex is not sin and does not make one ‘gay’ (Heb. 4:15).
Certain emotional characteristics and environmental experiences make the likelihood of being tempted to gay behavior more likely. One is men who are especially “sensitive” or with a greater interest in the arts than ‘rough and tumble’ activities. Another is lacking a strong male role model at home or the absence of a good relationship and acceptance with the father. Greatest by far is a history of childhood sexual abuse by an older boy or man (there is an extremely high incidence). Once experienced, sexual stimulation of any sort can be pleasurable and addictive. These types of factors, occurring early in life can cause a person to honestly believe they were ‘always’ gay.
How many people (what percentage of the population) are gay? Can they change?
For decades, homosexual groups have claimed that, since 10% of the population is either gay or lesbian, public officials should give credence to their political demands. Recently, when they absolutely had to tell the truth, activists confessed the 10% figure is a myth. In 2003, in a brief filed by a coalition of 31 homosexual advocacy groups with the U.S. Supreme court on a Texas sodomy case (Lawrence vs. Texas) they admitted “2.8% of the male, and 1.4% of the female population identify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.” That’s about 2.1% of the total population and since that number includes bisexuals (people who practice sex with both genders) that means the actual percentage of people claiming to be exclusively homosexual is even lower.
Although the mainstream media often proclaims homosexuality is ‘genetic’ and unchangeable, tens of thousands of former gays have left this immoral and dangerous lifestyle. Many religious and secular groups exist to assist in this process and they report about the same success rates as for quitting smoking---it’s not easy, and there are some relapses, but anyone can do it (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
Why shouldn’t faithful loving monogamous gay couples get married (like heterosexual couples)?
Although heterosexual couples can also be promiscuous (and marriage doesn’t always remedy this) the differences are striking. The average number of gays who remain monogamous is less than 2% (compared with 83% of heterosexuals). The average number of lifetime sexual partners is 50 (compared with 4 for heterosexuals). The average number of sexual partners in the last 12 months is 8 (compared with 1.2 for heterosexuals). Promiscuity is the norm for gay couples.
There is a 25-30 year decrease in life expectancy. There are many related health problems, including chronic liver disease, infectious hepatitis, rectal cancer, multiple bowel and other infectious diseases, and of course, AIDS. USA Today reports that in San Francisco 40% of the homosexual population is infected with AIDS. Despite this fact, unprotected sex is common.
FAULTY LOGIC: Because there are many ‘nice’ gay people (who are friendly, caring, pay their taxes, give to charities, do volunteer work, even go to church)---that ‘proves’ homosexuality is ‘okay’. The problem is that otherwise ‘nice’ people may still have bad habits (alcoholism, drug addictions, abuse, adultery, lying, stealing, etc.). Simply having some good qualities doesn’t validate all of our behaviors.
Like us, more than anything else, ‘gay’ people need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Verses for: CLEAR ANSWERS ON HOMOSEXUALITY
Lev 18:22-23 (NIV) UNNATURAL SEXUAL BEHAVIORS
"'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. "'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
Lev 20:13, 15-16 (NIV) IN THE SAME CATEGORY: HOMOSEXUALITY& SEX WITH ANIMALS
“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads… “If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal. "'If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
---THE LAWS CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY ARE LISTED RIGHT ALONGSIDE THOSE FORBIDDING SEX WITH ANIMALS. WHY? BOTH ARE UNNATURAL SEXUAL PERVERSIONS.
Gen 19:3-8 (NIV) THE FIRST MENTION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN SCRIPTURE
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom---both young and old---surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them." Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends. Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."
---THIS WAS NOT A MERELY A SIN OF ‘INHOSPITALITY’ (AS SOME GAY ACTIVISITS AND LIBERAL THEOLOGIANS LAMELY SUGGEST) OR EVEN ‘RAPE’ (SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WASN’T ‘CONSENSUAL’), OTHERWISE LOT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO DESPERATE TO PREVENT IT THAT HE WOULD OFFER UP HIS OWN DAUGHTERS TO BE RAPED.
Jude 7 (NIV) AS CLEAR AS IT GETS: HOMOSEXUALITY = SEXUAL PERVERSION
In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
---THIS VERSE GETS RIGHT TO THE POINT: HOMOSEXUALITY IS IMMORAL!
Rom 1:24, 26-28 (NIV) THE NEW TESTAMENT SPEAKS CLEARLY ON HOMOSEXUALITY
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another… Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.”
---THIS PASSAGE CLEARLY CONDEMNS HOMOSEXUALITY AS AN UNNATURAL SEXUAL PERVERSION. OTHER INTERPRETATIONS ARE STRAINED, DISHONEST, AND TWISTED.
John 8:3-11 (NIV) JESUS TO THE ADULTERESS: “LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN”
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now, what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." ---ALTHOUGH MERCIFUL, JESUS STILL CALLED FOR REPENTANCE. CLEARLY ADULTERY AND OTHER OT SEXUAL SINS REMAINED SINS.
Matt 5:27-30 (NIV) DOES IT SOUND LIKE JESUS WAS ‘SOFT’ ON SEXUAL SINS?
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Gen 1:27 (NIV) MALE & FEMALE: THE ONLY ‘SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS’
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. ---THERE IS NO MENTION OF HETEROSEXUALS, HOMOSEXUALS, LESBIANS OR BISEXUALS IN GOD’S PERFECT CREATION. HE CREATED MALE AND FEMALE. PERIOD.
1 Cor 10:13 (NIV) DID GOD ‘MAKE’ SOME PEOPLE HOMOSEXUALS?
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. ---WE ARE ALL BORN IN SIN. BUT GOD DOES NOT TEMPT OR ALLOW IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATION. NO ONE IS CREATED IRRESISTIBLY HOMOSEXUAL.
Heb 4:15-16 (NIV) IS IT A SIN JUST TO BE ‘TEMPTED’ TO HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR?
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet was without sin.
---NO, SIMPLY BEING TEMPTED IS NOT SINNING; YIELDING TO TEMPTATION IS SINNING.
1 Cor 6:9-11 (NIV) CAN HOMOSEXUALS CHANGE?
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. ---YES, THEY CAN AND DO. THOUSANDS HAVE.
Gen 2:18, 22 GOD’S ‘SUITABLE’ HELPER FOR MAN---A WOMAN
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him." … “Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” ---GOD CREATED ADAM & EVE, NOT ADAM & STEVE. GOD MAKES IT CLEAR THAT ONLY A WOMAN IS “SUITABLE” AS A SEXUAL PARTNER FOR A MAN (AND VICE-VERSA).
Gen 2:24 (NIV) THE BASIS FOR MARRIAGE: A MAN & A WOMAN
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. ---AS THEY WERE ORIGINALLY ONE FLESH (THE WOMAN CAME FROM THE MAN’S RIB), IN THE SEXUAL UNION OF MARRIAGE THEY ARE AGAIN “ONE FLESH.” AND THIS UNION CAN PRODUCE OFFSPRING---“TWO” TOGETHER PRODUCING A NEW “ONE.”
Heb 13:4 (NIV) MARRIAGE IS NOT AN INSTITUTION TO BE TRIFLED WITH
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ---HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE MAKES A MOCKERY OF GOD’S PLAN. IT IS CLEARLY INCLUDED IN THE CATEGORY OF “SEXUALLY IMMORAL.” (Jude 7)
Gen 1:28a (NIV) WHAT ‘GAY MARRIAGE’ COULD NEVER ACCOMPLISH
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…”