12.20.2013

The Bible, Love and the Gays



Attraction is not a choice. I think we need to remember that. 

I have a friend. We’ll call her Anne. Anne has a best guy friend who has been in love with her for years. They share the same sense of humor, enjoy the same activities and the kicker? They even live together. Anne is completely exhausted of hearing friends and family tell her what a perfect couple they would make. Because she knows. She knows what a great guy he is, she knows how perfect they are for each other. But they aren’t together. Because despite all of their commonalities and despite the fact that everyone is rooting for those two crazy kids to get together, the spark just isn’t there. Anne isn’t attracted to him.


I didn’t choose to be attracted to Chuck. I just was. There are some things that can’t be helped.


I’m really trying not to be one more voice pushing my opinion about this “Duck Dynasty” controversy. But the fact remains, I don’t think anyone chooses who they’re attracted to, same or different sex.


And for those who use the Bible as their platform for speaking out about the ills of homosexuality, I have a bone to pick with you.


Leviticus 18:22 says,  “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.” I’ll give you that. Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” I’ll give you that one, too.


But, in this same book of the Bible, we also see things like this:

Leviticus 5:7 says, “Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord as a penalty for their sin—one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
 
When is the last time you saw anyone repent for their sins by killing some pigeons??

Leviticus 7:22-25 says, “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. 25 Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be presented to the Lord must be cut off from their people.’”
 
I guess all you bacon lovers are screwed.


Don’t even get me started on how unlawful it is for a woman to go to Church when she’s on her period.


What I’m trying to say is this- if you believe that the Bible (in its entirety) is the inerrant, transcendent word of God, you cannot pick and choose which verses to live by or which verses to judge others based on. You also can’t pick and choose which verses you want to interpret literally and which to interpret metaphorically.


For me, I know this: I don’t believe that anyone chooses to be attracted to a man or a woman. I think you’re attracted to who you’re attracted to. As simple as that. I especially don’t think anyone in their right mind would choose to love someone knowing that it would make their life more difficult, that they would be discriminated against because of their love. I also don’t think I’m a heathen for going to Church on my period, or for having a side of bacon on Sunday mornings. The same way that I don’t think a devout, faithful lesbian couple is predestined for eternal damnation. I mean, come on!
 

Salvation is salvation. And if you believe in the message of Jesus, love is love. And above all else, it is the most important thing Christ asks of us: to love. Let’s just love as we’re commanded to, and let God handle the rest.

7 comments:

  1. Yes. I have never watched that weird duck show, and I don't plan to start. I also don't plan to stop watching A&E. I saw a SNL meme floating around. Someone was dressed like a devil saying "Jesus doesn't hate gay people. Jesus doesn't hate anyone... That's his thing." It's such a simple message.

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  2. well the reason you dont see people killling pigeons anymore is because Jesus died on the cross, so there is no need for sacrifice anymore. We are now able, thru the Holy Spirit, to aproach God.... in Jesus name, and ask for forgivness for whatever sin we commit and repent. Just as one repents for having same sex relations, is the same for one who has been commiting adultery and repents, kills and repents, steals and repents, so on and so forth. Just becausce you sin does not mean your not loved by God or comdemmed by him. We all sin, we all need forgiveness.

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  3. One of the best posts I have read in a while. I am not gay, but as a Christian I hurts me greatly to see the hate some Christians have towards the gay. Some gay people probably do not care, but I know for a fact that some people are hurt deeply. The last time I opened the bible it was still mostly about God's unconditional love for us.Thank you for this post.
    PS: I love your blog. Sorry for not commenting too much ;)

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  4. I love this post. Wish i could sit & talk with you about this. I feel like most of my christian friends disagree with me on the whole gay subject, but my gay friends would disagree with me also. So who do i have to have a decent conversation with about it? So, this is my thing. I love gays. I have MANY gay friends, several of whom attend church regularly & have been in a relationship with the same person for years - just as committed (or more so) than some of my straight christian friends. But i still cannot justify that it is okay. I honestly wish i could, but i can't. My heart is sometimes grieved over this.

    I understand what you are saying about the verses in the old testament, but that is the old covenant. The things about going to church on your period, etc, those are all a part of the old covenant. Those things aren't mentioned in the new testament, but there are mentions of homosexuality in the new testament - 1 Cor 6:9. And that is where i just cannot justify it. My husband studies greek and hebrew, he does not take the Bible literally, he studies the culture & history of that day & age. He doesn't share the same views on many subjects in the Bible (for example, he is a born again christian who believes in evolution. Not a popular thing among Christians!). And even he cannot find a way to justify homosexuality.

    All of this to say, I believe it is sin. And yet. I love the gays. And so does Jesus. I don't feel the need to point out their sin, any more than i feel the need point out other sins! How about i just worry about the sin in my own life?!

    My issue is with Christians so carelessly & casually posting things on FB. Christians who choose homosexuality as "THE NUMBER ONE SIN". It's ridiculous & silly. And i think they will be judged for their lack of compassion. I have never seen Duck Dynasty... and i doubt Phil meant to hurt anyone. My main issue was with all the backlash on FB after it. Blah!!!

    Thanks for posting. :)

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    Replies
    1. "How about i just worry about the sin in my own life?!" Perfect! That's what it all comes down to in the end, isn't it? It's not up to us to justify or condemn it. Thankfully.

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  5. I love the whole, you can't pick and choose which versus to interpret...

    Excellent point. Excellent post!

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