Today, Maine joined Iowa,Vermont, Connecticut and Massachusetts in legalizing same-sex marriage. Progressive religious voices and civil rights groups worked hard to help achieve these victories, moving us closer to our nation’s promise of equality and justice for all. Even so, conservative religious opponents are criticizing the victories, claiming that same-sex marriage violates the biblical definition of marriage. They are wrong, and here’s why.
1. There are few biblical verses that address homosexuality at all, and most of those are not directed at homosexuality per se. Opponents of same-sex marriage routinely cite seven verses in the Christian Bible as condemning homosexuality and calling it a sin. But when taken in context, these lessons speak not against homosexuality itself, but rather against rape, child molestation, bestiality, and other practices that hurt others and compromise a person’s relationship with God.
2. Jesus never said one word against homosexuality. In all of his teachings, Jesus uplifted actions and attitudes of justice, love, humility, mercy, and compassion. He condemned violence, oppression, cold-heartedness, and social injustice. Never once did Jesus refer to what we call homosexuality as a sin.
3. The Bible never mentions or condemns the concept we call same-sex marriage. Although opponents of same-sex marriage claim that lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender unions violate biblical principles, no verses in the Bible explicitly address gay marriage or committed same-sex relationships.
4. Those who claim a “biblical definition of marriage” as a model for today ignore various marital arrangements in the Bible that would be illegal or condemned today. The Bible is filled with stories of polygamy and husbands taking concubines. In accordance with the culture and laws of the past, women were often treated like property that could be traded or sold into marriage. Today we understand that these examples of marriage reflect the cultural practices of the time rather than a spiritual model for today.
This article also appears at Center for American Progress.
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Can I get an Amen?
It’s just like abortion. The religious right makes it seem like a prohibition against abortion is the 11th commandment, yet nothing in the Bible says anything directly about abortion.
You are deceived. Satan is already cursed. But you my friend have an oppurtunity at redemption through Jesus. Please pray for truth so that you can receive it, repent and be saved.
To the author:
I agree with Disciple of Christ. The world will always be at odds with the Kingdom of God. Trust God’s Word. Leviticus 18:22 is not a gray area. The Lord does not change. Love the sinner, hate the sin, and bring that person wiht love to the Truth, Jesus Christ.
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Lev. 18:22, “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.”1
Lev. 20:13, “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them”
yeah i think you guys are on to something here. Those verses clearly didn’t say the word “homosexual”
Maybe they didnt say the word homosexuality, but homosexuality is having sexual relations with same sex partners, and the bible does clearly state s that it is abomination for a male to lie with another male as he would lie with a female. With me, GOD’S WORD reigns OVER ALL!!!
If all of the people who are quoting scripture from Levitical law in reply to this article truly believe what it stands for literally why are you not pushing for legislation to illegalize other practices strictly enforced in this part of the Bible? What about the entire first part of Leviticus 18 that speaks of not uncovering the nakedness of anyone you are related to? Ever changed a baby’s diaper? Then you are wicked if they were your child or grandchild! This is ridiculous quit being ignorant and actually read the passages you googled against homosexuality out of context.