Is Homosexuality Condemned in the Bible?
Abstract
This essay seeks to definitively answer if contents from the Holy Bible condemn Homosexuality. Within the essay is a clear definition of homosexuality and the debate between Conservative Christians and Liberal Christians about the answer. Biblical verses and passages are analyzed from a Conservative and Liberal point of view, including Genesis 1:27-28 (the passage concerning God’s command to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply”), and Genesis 19 (the passage surrounding a possibly homosexual intimacy offense attempt before God destroyed the city of Sodom). Isaiah 1, Jeremiah 23:14 and Ezekiel 16:49-50 are analyzed from a Liberal point of view in support of the Liberal claim that an accurate interpretation of Genesis 19 does not present text in clear and convincing condemnation of homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 and Romans 1:26-27 are analyzed to give support to the Conservative claim that homosexuality is condemned within biblical text. Overall, it is concluded that the Holy Bible while it doesn’t condemn homosexuality in as many places as Conservatives argue, does however condemn it in selected places. Essay
Homosexuality is defined as a person’s sexual attraction to people of his own gender. To many people, its practice is considered a crime, a sin against society and the higher power they choose to believe in and worship. There is a significant minority of “religious” people (adamant believers who practice a particular religion) who will claim that it is morally acceptable for a person to be a homosexual. Not only will they protest it, but they will condemn the homosexual to a life of spiritual damnation, which will be followed by eternal suffering once physical death on earth has occurred. The complexity of some religions is that even though believers are taught on one hand, in one way or another to treat each other impartially and with unconditional love, they are compelled on the other to openly protest homosexuality and its
This essay seeks to definitively answer if contents from the Holy Bible condemn Homosexuality. Within the essay is a clear definition of homosexuality and the debate between Conservative Christians and Liberal Christians about the answer. Biblical verses and passages are analyzed from a Conservative and Liberal point of view, including Genesis 1:27-28 (the passage concerning God’s command to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply”), and Genesis 19 (the passage surrounding a possibly homosexual intimacy offense attempt before God destroyed the city of Sodom). Isaiah 1, Jeremiah 23:14 and Ezekiel 16:49-50 are analyzed from a Liberal point of view in support of the Liberal claim that an accurate interpretation of Genesis 19 does not present text in clear and convincing condemnation of homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 and Romans 1:26-27 are analyzed to give support to the Conservative claim that homosexuality is condemned within biblical text. Overall, it is concluded that the Holy Bible while it doesn’t condemn homosexuality in as many places as Conservatives argue, does however condemn it in selected places. Essay
Homosexuality is defined as a person’s sexual attraction to people of his own gender. To many people, its practice is considered a crime, a sin against society and the higher power they choose to believe in and worship. There is a significant minority of “religious” people (adamant believers who practice a particular religion) who will claim that it is morally acceptable for a person to be a homosexual. Not only will they protest it, but they will condemn the homosexual to a life of spiritual damnation, which will be followed by eternal suffering once physical death on earth has occurred. The complexity of some religions is that even though believers are taught on one hand, in one way or another to treat each other impartially and with unconditional love, they are compelled on the other to openly protest homosexuality and its
Bibliography: Barker, Kenneth, ed. The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI, USA: Zondervan Publishing House. 1995. Holy Bible. Grand Rapids, MI, USA: World Publishing. 1989. “What the Bible Says about Homosexuality.” <http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_bibl.htm#chr> 4 October 2006.