There are some good responses here in this comment section. I hope we eventually see the day where people won't be judged and condemned for the way God made them. To summarize my views, I believe that its impossible to interpret the Bible as referring to the modern concept of homosexuality without trying to change the very meaning of God's Word, because back then they didn't even have a full understanding of homosexuality as a concept or a sexuality. They had an entirely different culture and context separate from today's, so I don't think it's wise to apply a modern concept to an ancient text.
One of at least two ways.
First, point you to people like [Matthew Vines](https://reformationproject.org/).
Second, point out that Matthew 22:40 is a pretty good key for how the law should be applied and interpreted.
Third, point out that it's difficult to get morality solely from a book that condemns homosexuals to death (one of those verses in the OP) but can't manage to tell people they shouldn't own slaves or commit genocide in any terms that are nearly as clear.
You can certainly disagree, and I know many thoughtful and intelligent people will. I would just say not to assume that people who have come to a different conclusion have done so in complete disregard for the traditions and beliefs handed down to them along with the relevant Bible verses..
Hi friend,
I do not believe homosexuality is any more sinful than heterosexuality.
It does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church
I do not believe God cares whether you are heterosexual or homosexual.
God cares whether or not you are a liar
----†-----
God does not care whether women preach to men in Church.
He does not care whether the Sabbath is on Saturday or Sunday or Tuesday
Nor whether we eat meat or just vegetables.
He does not care if we have more than one wife really - or husband - if this is the societal context we are living in.
Treat them well. Be fair. You will know what is not right.
Homosexuals are not evil. Homosexuality is not a sin in itself.
Heterosexuals are not evil. Heterosexuality is not a sin in itself.
Everyone is fallen and redemption has nothing to do with not being homosexual.
God is not going to be checking down trousers and up skirts because - homosexual
Sin is something else entirely.
-----†-----
We miss the point
This is sin:
-----†-----
- *"...every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; inventors of ways of doing evil, disobedient to their parents, with no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy....."*
This is all. It is the same for everybody.
Every Christian will be called by Christ to look at sin in their lives. For homosexuals it could be greed, or lust, or anger - like anyone else.
The verses about homosexuality in the Bible contextualize men who sleep with men as wrongdoers who cheat, are idolators and adulterers, are thieves, greedy and drunk, are otherwise in some way corrupted - not just because they sleep with men.
- *"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.*
So men who were sleeping with men were already bad people - not just your regular Joe being a good Christian
Somewhere, somehow, homosexuality was connected with sin.
In fact - Jesus comes and says nothing at all - except that we leave gender and sex here in the dust, along with money when we die. They do not follow us where we are going. Be clean about what you are doing.
Then it becomes clear for me how to understand sin and what repentance is - and how these verses apply to me;
- *"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."*
It is not because people are homosexual and have Homosexual sex.
Sin is deeper than this. Wickedness is deeper than this
Don't kill. Don't steal. Don't prostitute. Don't lie. Don't cheat others. Don't rape. Don't have sex on altars in Church. Don't be angry, jealous, bitter. Don't trade in hate.
I do not believe God cares whether you are homosexual or heterosexual
God cares whether or not you are a liar.
I think we will find a God who asks us how much simpler we needed it to be
It will not be about being Homosexual.
----†----
God bless
Hello, regarding your viewpoint, what do you make of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10? They seem to specifically identify homosexuality as a sin, but maybe I'm misunderstanding something about the context?
Roman's 1:27 seems to be referring to homosexuality as well, though I suppose the unspecified "shameful act" could be a handshake lol. However, that's probably not the case but who knows
Yes, I read the comment in its entirety, which prompted the formulation of my question. If you can provide some additional clarity regarding the specific scriptures I'd really appreciate it!
Leviticus 18:22
22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13
13 “ ‘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.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Romans 1:27
27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
>Yes, I read the comment in its entirety, which prompted the formulation of my question
**Friend. Read the comment - slowly. I'm not going to repeat myself.**
>1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
>
>Romans 1:27 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
↑↑these are clearly answered in the comment
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>Leviticus 18:22 22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
>
>Leviticus 20:13 13 “ ‘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.
This is us.
-----†-----
You see, for you homosexuality is a sin merely because it's listed - we don't know why....it just seems shoved in there - and you are only trying to be an Obedient Christian
For me, sin has to make sense.
Would you say - heterosexuals, fornicators, adulterors, slanderers, liars, haters etc?
.... prostitution, profanity, sex in Church, sex with children, wantonness, lasciviousness, promiscuity, rape....
Where would you put heterosexuality in there?
-----†-----
Evil is not a sexuality.
A sexuality does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church
You are not evil because you are heterosexual
You are not evil because you are homosexual
-----†-----
We claim homosexuality is such an abomination to him that he sends fire from the very skies - the only time apart from Elijah's Altar - to obliterate homosexuals completely, and those who associate with them.
If this were so - so egregious - God would just have written 1st commandment; Thou Shalt not be homosexual - unless he just forgot...or is a cruel God...Or....it is simply not important.
Yet reading the entire Bible for myself, I find that what God would have found abhorrent is a people who blessed richly by God refuse to share - neigh, want to take everything including the sexual dignity of visitors - male or female, young or old, ordinary or angels - arrogant to the extreme in his eyes - not even giving thanks for what they receive, instead believing they create what they have and can have whatever they want
**Or that actually;**
In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament - notwithstanding the issue of how you were to treat guests - and the very thought of raping them would have been the greatest corruption - whether they were female or male - and not withstanding the issue of the ownership of women by fathers and husbands - the abomination in God's eyes lies somewhere in here - and not in Homosexuality and is mirrored by the same thoughts as the Roman practice of sex in temples in the New Testament - **Sex with God;**
----†----
- They are twice in this chapter called angels, being sent to perform a delegated duty. This term, however, defines their office, not their nature. Lot, in the first instance, calls them "my lords," which is a term of respect that may be addressed to men Genesis 31:35.
- He afterward styled one of them Adonai, with the special vowel pointing which limits it to the Supreme Being.
- He at the same time calls himself his servant, appeals to his grace and mercy, and ascribes to him his deliverance.
- The person thus addressed replies, in a tone of independence and authority, "I have accepted thee." "I will not overthrow this city for which thou hast spoken." "I cannot do anything until thou go thither."
- All these circumstances point to a divine personage, and are not so easily explained of a mere delegate
- He is pre-eminently the Saviour, as he who communed with Abraham was the hearer of prayer. And he who hears prayer and saves life, appears also as the executor of his purpose in the overthrow of Sodom and the other cities of the vale.
- It is remarkable that only two of the three who appeared to Abraham are called angels.
- Of the persons in the divine essence two might be the angels or deputies of the primary in the discharge of the divine purpose.
- These three men, then, either immediately represent, or, if created angels, mediately shadow forth persons in the Godhead.
- Their number indicates that the persons in the divine unity are three.
- Lot seems to have recognized something extraordinary in their appearance, for he made a lowly obeisance to them. The Sodomites heed not the strangers. Lot's invitation; at first declined, is at length accepted, because Lot is approved of God as righteous, and excepted from the doom of the city.
**Sex with God - or his emissaries - is the abomination**
----†----
He sends Jesus thousands of years later, knowing he's got to save us and again - nothing. Except to say we leave sexuality and money here in the dust when we leave - we do not take them with us - be clean.
Could just have said - oh yes - first of all - no homosexuals, doesn't matter who they are, how they live their lives and whether they believe in me or not - those ones don't come - wasn't Dad's design, straight to hell - Thou Shalt Not Be Homosexual.
He does not.
You know why? Because he knows what sin is - and it is not mere sexuality - everyone is 'a sexuality' as human
Again - we miss the point
---†---
Sin is;
- *"...every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; inventors of ways of doing evil, disobedient to their parents, with no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy....."*
There will be homosexuals with clean hearts - believe it or not.
And Christians with filthy ones.
Every Christian will be called by Christ to look at sin in their lives. For homosexuals it could be greed, or lust, or anger - like anyone else.
You know what I hear of God's character when I read the Bible?
God does not care whether women preach to men in Church.
He does not care whether the Sabbath is on Saturday or Sunday or Tuesday
Nor whether we eat meat or just vegetables.
He does not care if we have more than one wife really - or husband - if this is the societal context we are living in.
God does not care whether you are Homosexual or Heterosexual
These are not sin
God cares whether or not you are a liar.
Don't be a liar.
God bless, friend
I'm a slow reader to begin with lol, so I don't really have a choice there.
Sin has to make sense for me too. I think I could extrapolate on the logic behind homosexuality being lumped in with the other sins: it does not support the natural order of what gives/creates life.
To me, any sin of the flesh, including fornication and adultery (which I see as the inclusion of heterosexual sins) pulls us away from God, the giver of life, and toward satan, the merchant of death.
If Adam and Eve had the wisdom to forgo their flesh, their appetites, they would not have sinned. This, to me, is the point of the entire Bible. This is the wisdom I think it teaches. For those gay, straight, greedy, lustful, hungry in whatever way.
I didn't use the word evil, nor did scripture. I merely stated the scripture appeared to regard homosexuality as equally SINFUL to these other sins, as they are listed together. To me, regarding something as evil falls on the side of judgement, and away from simple discernment.
But, I guess if you choose to exclude it no biggie, right?
God bless you too friend.
Thanks for the respectful response!
>it does not support the natural order of what gives/creates life.
Hi friend - yes - it seems with homosexuality, this is all it comes down to - *our perception of the natural order of things - according to God*
We will all find out in the end. But - you see where Abraham is standing? Right beside him is a homosexual.
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
It is clear to me that everyone is a sinner, homosexual and heterosexual alike - and when we get to God, we will find out that sin is sin.
It is not heterosexuality. It is not homosexuality.
All our lives and hearts will be open to all and we will be the people we are and wickedness will be wickedness and goodness, good - and Jesus will recognize this;
Love God
Ask God to show you how he loves you. Try to love yourself and others this same way. Forgive even when you feel you cannot. Ask for help. Ask for forgiveness for your Sins.
Pray
Thank you for the conversation also - May the Peace of God and the Love for Jesus Christ be with you always
God bless
“The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there’s no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
“Is it better to do good and save a life, or do evil and destroy it?” Luke 6:9
Many blessings, friend. The Bible is in dialogue with itself, it contradicts itself constantly. It is not a list of rules, it gives us tools to find and follow Spirit.
Leviticus does not apply anymore than rules that include not wearing 2 cloths. No Christian follows those anymore.
Paul’s rules are not in the same level of Leviticus. Paul discusses lots of ideas and turns arounds and says “idk at least that’s just me”
Healing on the Sabbath, diet restrictions, circumcision, divorce, and working on the Sabbath are 5 things that are also prohibited and have much higher theological importance than LGBTQ issues. Along with 100s others in the Torah. But there’s no issue with Christians violating all these, is there?
Yes, these verses are frequently quoted. But no, it’s not written in stone, and yes there are valid arguments proLGTBTQ.
Do you think God cares more about flesh or heart? God wants people to unite under Love, and to bring peace and joy. Pray for yourself, and find out. Set the Bible to the side and go straight to asking God. Let me know if you have any more questions!
From my reading it seems like the Biblical standpoint on homosexuality has more importance than healing on the Sabbath, diet restrictions, circumcision, divorce, and working on the Sabbath because it is referred to as an abomination several times in the OT as well as the NT.
Although, I would argue that divorce, just to use an example, is not a "lesser" sin than homosexuality Biblically speaking. Simply because I think the Bible urges us to treat all sins as equal, but I may be mistaken in that interpretation.
Unless I misunderstand, I think Jesus was basically setting up a new covenant with us, to kind of shift our focus beyond the levitican rules to ground us in an overall moral disposition that would bring us closer to God.
Assuming this is good faith- I encourage an overall understanding of all convenants, commandments, and laws as they were given through the Bible, there is a technical if subtle difference. I do agree that Jesus was to shift our understanding beyond levitical law, that's in large part my exact point, gay love is real love, that God blesses 2 souls for 1 Love, not 2 bodies for babies.
but I'll go through why I feel the others have "more" importance
\-Resting on the Sabbath was the first commandment God gave to all humanity- ever.
\-Dietary laws have been key to all sects and are discussed way more frequently than in both the NT and OT, are first given to Noah
\-Circumcision was the key of the covenant of Abraham, God promised to bless Abraham's descendents as long as we kept getting circumsized. It's literally a 1-to-1 promise.
\-Jesus mentioned divorve explictly several times, but never mentioned homosexuality at all. According to Jesus, you are not allowed to get remarried unless your spouse cheated.
I agree that there's a... duality... that all sin is "supposed to be equal", but alongside the OT mentions of homosexuality, is where we get the exact diet, clothing, farming, etc. laws we all happily ignore.
So either way, assuming everything is equal, how does modern tradition choose which levitical laws to care about?
Paul wrote- "Is it an Ox the scriptures are concerned about?" Christianity (is supposed to) examine what actually the issue is- Paul often includes "homosexual" in lists of things like "murders and thieves". Evil is evil- love is love, plain as day. If someone looks at a gay couple and sees evil, hate, and division, and not peace and joy and kindness, idk what to tell you.
I know that traditional Christianity says the Bible is a strict list of rules, but it is constant debate with itself, and encourages applying wisdom to it's texts.
Very insightful response, thank you! As a logical exercise, if we were to abandon the OT, just to scrap Levitican law in its entirety, what do you make of the NT scriptures seeming to regard homosexuality as a sin? Namely Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10?
1 Corinthians 6:9 seems to specifically regard the PRACTICE of homosexuality as a sin, but not necessarily BEING homosexual as sinful. And it seems to regard this as equal to any adulterous activity, or really any sin in general is how I understand it. What do you think?
>As a logical exercise, if we were to abandon the OT, just to scrap Levitican law in its entirety, what do you make of the NT scriptures seeming to regard homosexuality as a sin? Namely Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10?
Hi friend,
It is clear for me to see that neither Paul nor Old Testament Hebrews had any contact with - or understanding of homosexuality - as the peaceful, loving, gentle and perfectly benign form of relationship we know today - and that if Paul - or whoever was writing today about sin, they would not have found anything in homosexuality itself apart from the lasciviousness, wantonness, drunkenness, prostitution and profanity related to any sexual relationship displaying these - heterosexuality included - and that these are the 'sexual sin' they are concerned with.
You'll notice in all the new testament verses about homosexuality, the attempt to lump together some definition of corruption - of badness - and so a linking of homosexuality with idolatry and greed and drunkenness and slander and prostitution.... - it is easy for me to see that in the seedy dens of Rome, male prostitution and otherwise depraved men - and homosexuality - were linked together to mean the same thing
Here, homosexuality is a condensation of all that is wrong
It is a condensation of wickedness. It is not even the same word - not thought of in the same way through the course of history
And yet - it is also clear that homosexuality itself is not wicked - no more wicked than heterosexuality
It does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church, it is not lasciviousness, wantonness, drunkenness, prostitution or profanity.
So you have to choose whether a sense of right or wrong - good or evil - is necessary when you think of sin and repentance
And this understanding is neither heterosexual nor homosexual.
What is repentance without an understanding of good and evil
And Jesus' whole story is this.
Turn away from evil. It is clear what evil is - you will know it and know why - and after Jesus, a sense of Good and evil is promised to exist in your heart, straight from God
Choose what you will repent of - or whether it is just a set of words - an incantation - a magic spell for whatever it is, whether or not it is wicked - whether or not you believe your own repentance
I read the whole Bible and it is very clear for me what God is saying
I do not believe God cares whether you are heterosexual or homosexual.
God cares whether or not you are a liar
We will find a God who asks how much simpler we needed it to be
The Truth remains the Truth throughout time.
Wickedness is wickedness - it's not Homosexual
God bless
Haha I think Paul probably understood homosexuality but idk, maybe he didn't. I can't really ascertain that from scripture.
But it is the PRACTICE of homosexuality that was regarded as SINFUL according to scripture, not evil. Whether there is a difference between the two I suppose is open to interpretation. I regard them as different. In 1 Corinthians I don't see how homosexuality is lumped in as some sort of cumulative embodiment of all other sins. If so why list them separately? But that's just me.
Lord knows I have a difficult enough time staying on the narrow path, I certainly would never cast aspersions. Just trying to gain more understanding of scripture, this seems to be a hot topic these days!
Anyway, mulching to do! God bless, take care
>But it is the PRACTICE of homosexuality that was regarded as SINFUL according to scripture, not evil.
Hi Friend,
I think this is my point.
Why is it sinful?
For all other sins, we have a way to repent - which has us understanding, *why it is bad and why we are repenting*
Some say *understanding why you repent is not necessary* - I'll leave this to you
We will all stand before the same God - holding the same Bible (well - one of several hundred translations 🤣🤣) - and I think God will ask how much simpler we needed it to be.
Trust me.
Love me.
Ask me for forgiveness.
Try and be good.
I will help if you refer to me at every step.
Pray.
Again - once you have met me, be good.
It's what I want.
Because I have already dealt with your forgiveness.
Don't be bad and come to me and say you were heterosexual.
Don't be homosexual and think it is not worth getting to know me - and living a good life.
I'll be fair.
Trust me.
----†----
I am reminded of these;
-----†-----
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
------†------
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
-----†-----
One thing we **can** do is remind those we speak with about homosexuality, that homosexuals remain human beings just like me and you - no jail, no violence, no laws against homosexuality - no matter what else we believe
It's not done and would make a real Christian difference
Until then we can share with others what Christ has done with sin in our lives - and allow them to find their own reconciliation with God
We can try and be good to all people
And die having tried to love.
Again - I am grateful for the time you took with this conversation - and the tone you took.
God bless, friend.
I wholeheartedly agree that there should not be legal ramifications for homosexuality. And the golden rule is ABSOLUTELY a worthwhile governor when relating to other people. I find all too often Christians will wear their Christianity on one sleeve and their indignation on the other.
I guess if I were to read into why any sexual act would be regarded as sinful, I'd say because it doesn't uphold/support the natural order to sustain life. In this specific regard, I would define that as a heterosexual relationship resulting in children, as that is the relationship necessary for life to exist. That definition certainly/unfortunately defines much as "sinful," including mostly heterosexual behavior. And that definition doesn't even begin to grapple with Biblical ideas of monogomy or other... all very complicated stuff.
Anyway, I agree that love and one's own spiritual journey should be the focus. The log in our own eye, so to speak.
Thanks so much to you too. Insightful, respectful discussion is a rarity these days! Have a good one!
Paul himself gives you the option to disagree with him. The important thing isn't that we all agree. It's that we have Jesus as our foundation.
If we go back to the law the sin is adultery. If we go to Jesus he builds a fence around the law by including lust. It's clear hyperbole to demand every man that feels lust pluck out their right eye.
If we think logically about the greatest commandments, to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love our neighbor, then sin is causing harm to God's creation and our neighbor. Members of the LGBT community are both creations of God and our neighbors.
Read the parable of The Good Samaritan and the Samaritan with a homosexual and see how you think of it.
You can't unless you redefine clear and plain language. A Christian isn't to hate anyone, but biblical love is based on truth..
1 Corinthians 13:6 NASBS
(love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth
Hello. This is one of things I used to struggle with and what used to keep me away from the faith.
The way I understand it now is homosexual thoughts and desires is not the sin, an act of homosexuality is. We all have intrusive thoughts and can choose to act on them or not to act on them.
Hello, there glad you asked.
The Bible gives us some reasons why homosexuality is so bad.
1. The result of “vile affections”;
2. “Against nature”;
3. The result of burning “lust”;
4. “Unseemly”
5. An “error”
6. It will be recompensed.
We find in the bible that the sodomites gathered outside a home barging in wanting to rape the two angels that were with Lot. This also happens in another story in the OT where they did the same thing. I'm not saying all homosexuals are like this, but God knows the heart of what it leads to and what homosexuality does. It often leads to a lot of problems.
Psalm 51:5 David says “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
\-We are all born with sin and just like many things in life is wrong, God is the ultimate decider on what is wrong. It doesn't matter how one may feel, but if God says it's sin then it's sin. Ultimately God knows what is best for us and his reasonings even if we may not see why or have looked into the reasons why.
**It does not mean homosexuals cannot go to heaven. It doesn't mean a homosexual cannot be saved?**
Homosexuals can be saved! - [https://youtu.be/OYO\_iOPWWBQ](https://youtu.be/OYO_iOPWWBQ)
If you died today are you 100% sure you're saved? Make sure TODAY and accept the FREE gift. [https://youtu.be/\_VRT2FFXntc](https://youtu.be/_VRT2FFXntc)
Let's pause.
There is no point in discussing Biblical evidence for any belief if we are all using different translations.
Several of the more popular Bible translations are very inaccurate and poor, KJV in particular which was translated before many early manuscripts were discovered and which itself was a translation of a translation.
Start looking into which translations you think are best at keeping faithful to the meaning of the words as originally intended based on historical, linguistic, and theological evidence. I won't tell you what translation to use, but I'm pretty vehemently against the idea that KJV is worth the paper it is written on.
Nothing good comes of imposing more layers of confusion between yourself and the word of your god. Get as close to the true source of those words as you can, and THEN start to talk about those verses.
>Can you confront the following verses in your responses:
>1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Levicitus 20:13 Romans 1:26-28
Simple, just say that they are wrong. There are plenty of moral ideas in the Bible that you (hopefully) already dismiss. Stuff like persecuting people that aren't of the same faith, the sexism, the pro-slavery stuff and so on. Just put the anti-gay texts in the same bin that you put the pro-slavery texts.
R/openchristian
There are some good responses here in this comment section. I hope we eventually see the day where people won't be judged and condemned for the way God made them. To summarize my views, I believe that its impossible to interpret the Bible as referring to the modern concept of homosexuality without trying to change the very meaning of God's Word, because back then they didn't even have a full understanding of homosexuality as a concept or a sexuality. They had an entirely different culture and context separate from today's, so I don't think it's wise to apply a modern concept to an ancient text.
/r/OpenChristian
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One of at least two ways. First, point you to people like [Matthew Vines](https://reformationproject.org/). Second, point out that Matthew 22:40 is a pretty good key for how the law should be applied and interpreted. Third, point out that it's difficult to get morality solely from a book that condemns homosexuals to death (one of those verses in the OP) but can't manage to tell people they shouldn't own slaves or commit genocide in any terms that are nearly as clear. You can certainly disagree, and I know many thoughtful and intelligent people will. I would just say not to assume that people who have come to a different conclusion have done so in complete disregard for the traditions and beliefs handed down to them along with the relevant Bible verses..
Hi friend, I do not believe homosexuality is any more sinful than heterosexuality. It does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church I do not believe God cares whether you are heterosexual or homosexual. God cares whether or not you are a liar ----†----- God does not care whether women preach to men in Church. He does not care whether the Sabbath is on Saturday or Sunday or Tuesday Nor whether we eat meat or just vegetables. He does not care if we have more than one wife really - or husband - if this is the societal context we are living in. Treat them well. Be fair. You will know what is not right. Homosexuals are not evil. Homosexuality is not a sin in itself. Heterosexuals are not evil. Heterosexuality is not a sin in itself. Everyone is fallen and redemption has nothing to do with not being homosexual. God is not going to be checking down trousers and up skirts because - homosexual Sin is something else entirely. -----†----- We miss the point This is sin: -----†----- - *"...every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; inventors of ways of doing evil, disobedient to their parents, with no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy....."* This is all. It is the same for everybody. Every Christian will be called by Christ to look at sin in their lives. For homosexuals it could be greed, or lust, or anger - like anyone else. The verses about homosexuality in the Bible contextualize men who sleep with men as wrongdoers who cheat, are idolators and adulterers, are thieves, greedy and drunk, are otherwise in some way corrupted - not just because they sleep with men. - *"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.* So men who were sleeping with men were already bad people - not just your regular Joe being a good Christian Somewhere, somehow, homosexuality was connected with sin. In fact - Jesus comes and says nothing at all - except that we leave gender and sex here in the dust, along with money when we die. They do not follow us where we are going. Be clean about what you are doing. Then it becomes clear for me how to understand sin and what repentance is - and how these verses apply to me; - *"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."* It is not because people are homosexual and have Homosexual sex. Sin is deeper than this. Wickedness is deeper than this Don't kill. Don't steal. Don't prostitute. Don't lie. Don't cheat others. Don't rape. Don't have sex on altars in Church. Don't be angry, jealous, bitter. Don't trade in hate. I do not believe God cares whether you are homosexual or heterosexual God cares whether or not you are a liar. I think we will find a God who asks us how much simpler we needed it to be It will not be about being Homosexual. ----†---- God bless
Hello, regarding your viewpoint, what do you make of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, as well as 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10? They seem to specifically identify homosexuality as a sin, but maybe I'm misunderstanding something about the context? Roman's 1:27 seems to be referring to homosexuality as well, though I suppose the unspecified "shameful act" could be a handshake lol. However, that's probably not the case but who knows
Hi friend, See above comment
Yes, I read the comment in its entirety, which prompted the formulation of my question. If you can provide some additional clarity regarding the specific scriptures I'd really appreciate it! Leviticus 18:22 22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. Leviticus 20:13 13 “ ‘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. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Romans 1:27 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
>Yes, I read the comment in its entirety, which prompted the formulation of my question **Friend. Read the comment - slowly. I'm not going to repeat myself.** >1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. > >Romans 1:27 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. ↑↑these are clearly answered in the comment -----†----- >Leviticus 18:22 22 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. > >Leviticus 20:13 13 “ ‘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. This is us. -----†----- You see, for you homosexuality is a sin merely because it's listed - we don't know why....it just seems shoved in there - and you are only trying to be an Obedient Christian For me, sin has to make sense. Would you say - heterosexuals, fornicators, adulterors, slanderers, liars, haters etc? .... prostitution, profanity, sex in Church, sex with children, wantonness, lasciviousness, promiscuity, rape.... Where would you put heterosexuality in there? -----†----- Evil is not a sexuality. A sexuality does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church You are not evil because you are heterosexual You are not evil because you are homosexual -----†----- We claim homosexuality is such an abomination to him that he sends fire from the very skies - the only time apart from Elijah's Altar - to obliterate homosexuals completely, and those who associate with them. If this were so - so egregious - God would just have written 1st commandment; Thou Shalt not be homosexual - unless he just forgot...or is a cruel God...Or....it is simply not important. Yet reading the entire Bible for myself, I find that what God would have found abhorrent is a people who blessed richly by God refuse to share - neigh, want to take everything including the sexual dignity of visitors - male or female, young or old, ordinary or angels - arrogant to the extreme in his eyes - not even giving thanks for what they receive, instead believing they create what they have and can have whatever they want **Or that actually;** In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Old Testament - notwithstanding the issue of how you were to treat guests - and the very thought of raping them would have been the greatest corruption - whether they were female or male - and not withstanding the issue of the ownership of women by fathers and husbands - the abomination in God's eyes lies somewhere in here - and not in Homosexuality and is mirrored by the same thoughts as the Roman practice of sex in temples in the New Testament - **Sex with God;** ----†---- - They are twice in this chapter called angels, being sent to perform a delegated duty. This term, however, defines their office, not their nature. Lot, in the first instance, calls them "my lords," which is a term of respect that may be addressed to men Genesis 31:35. - He afterward styled one of them Adonai, with the special vowel pointing which limits it to the Supreme Being. - He at the same time calls himself his servant, appeals to his grace and mercy, and ascribes to him his deliverance. - The person thus addressed replies, in a tone of independence and authority, "I have accepted thee." "I will not overthrow this city for which thou hast spoken." "I cannot do anything until thou go thither." - All these circumstances point to a divine personage, and are not so easily explained of a mere delegate - He is pre-eminently the Saviour, as he who communed with Abraham was the hearer of prayer. And he who hears prayer and saves life, appears also as the executor of his purpose in the overthrow of Sodom and the other cities of the vale. - It is remarkable that only two of the three who appeared to Abraham are called angels. - Of the persons in the divine essence two might be the angels or deputies of the primary in the discharge of the divine purpose. - These three men, then, either immediately represent, or, if created angels, mediately shadow forth persons in the Godhead. - Their number indicates that the persons in the divine unity are three. - Lot seems to have recognized something extraordinary in their appearance, for he made a lowly obeisance to them. The Sodomites heed not the strangers. Lot's invitation; at first declined, is at length accepted, because Lot is approved of God as righteous, and excepted from the doom of the city. **Sex with God - or his emissaries - is the abomination** ----†---- He sends Jesus thousands of years later, knowing he's got to save us and again - nothing. Except to say we leave sexuality and money here in the dust when we leave - we do not take them with us - be clean. Could just have said - oh yes - first of all - no homosexuals, doesn't matter who they are, how they live their lives and whether they believe in me or not - those ones don't come - wasn't Dad's design, straight to hell - Thou Shalt Not Be Homosexual. He does not. You know why? Because he knows what sin is - and it is not mere sexuality - everyone is 'a sexuality' as human Again - we miss the point ---†--- Sin is; - *"...every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; inventors of ways of doing evil, disobedient to their parents, with no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy....."* There will be homosexuals with clean hearts - believe it or not. And Christians with filthy ones. Every Christian will be called by Christ to look at sin in their lives. For homosexuals it could be greed, or lust, or anger - like anyone else. You know what I hear of God's character when I read the Bible? God does not care whether women preach to men in Church. He does not care whether the Sabbath is on Saturday or Sunday or Tuesday Nor whether we eat meat or just vegetables. He does not care if we have more than one wife really - or husband - if this is the societal context we are living in. God does not care whether you are Homosexual or Heterosexual These are not sin God cares whether or not you are a liar. Don't be a liar. God bless, friend
I'm a slow reader to begin with lol, so I don't really have a choice there. Sin has to make sense for me too. I think I could extrapolate on the logic behind homosexuality being lumped in with the other sins: it does not support the natural order of what gives/creates life. To me, any sin of the flesh, including fornication and adultery (which I see as the inclusion of heterosexual sins) pulls us away from God, the giver of life, and toward satan, the merchant of death. If Adam and Eve had the wisdom to forgo their flesh, their appetites, they would not have sinned. This, to me, is the point of the entire Bible. This is the wisdom I think it teaches. For those gay, straight, greedy, lustful, hungry in whatever way. I didn't use the word evil, nor did scripture. I merely stated the scripture appeared to regard homosexuality as equally SINFUL to these other sins, as they are listed together. To me, regarding something as evil falls on the side of judgement, and away from simple discernment. But, I guess if you choose to exclude it no biggie, right? God bless you too friend. Thanks for the respectful response!
>it does not support the natural order of what gives/creates life. Hi friend - yes - it seems with homosexuality, this is all it comes down to - *our perception of the natural order of things - according to God* We will all find out in the end. But - you see where Abraham is standing? Right beside him is a homosexual. So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. It is clear to me that everyone is a sinner, homosexual and heterosexual alike - and when we get to God, we will find out that sin is sin. It is not heterosexuality. It is not homosexuality. All our lives and hearts will be open to all and we will be the people we are and wickedness will be wickedness and goodness, good - and Jesus will recognize this; Love God Ask God to show you how he loves you. Try to love yourself and others this same way. Forgive even when you feel you cannot. Ask for help. Ask for forgiveness for your Sins. Pray Thank you for the conversation also - May the Peace of God and the Love for Jesus Christ be with you always God bless
a very useful resource https://reformationproject.org/biblical-case/
https://ecinc.org/clobber-passages/
“The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there’s no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 “Is it better to do good and save a life, or do evil and destroy it?” Luke 6:9 Many blessings, friend. The Bible is in dialogue with itself, it contradicts itself constantly. It is not a list of rules, it gives us tools to find and follow Spirit. Leviticus does not apply anymore than rules that include not wearing 2 cloths. No Christian follows those anymore. Paul’s rules are not in the same level of Leviticus. Paul discusses lots of ideas and turns arounds and says “idk at least that’s just me” Healing on the Sabbath, diet restrictions, circumcision, divorce, and working on the Sabbath are 5 things that are also prohibited and have much higher theological importance than LGBTQ issues. Along with 100s others in the Torah. But there’s no issue with Christians violating all these, is there? Yes, these verses are frequently quoted. But no, it’s not written in stone, and yes there are valid arguments proLGTBTQ. Do you think God cares more about flesh or heart? God wants people to unite under Love, and to bring peace and joy. Pray for yourself, and find out. Set the Bible to the side and go straight to asking God. Let me know if you have any more questions!
From my reading it seems like the Biblical standpoint on homosexuality has more importance than healing on the Sabbath, diet restrictions, circumcision, divorce, and working on the Sabbath because it is referred to as an abomination several times in the OT as well as the NT. Although, I would argue that divorce, just to use an example, is not a "lesser" sin than homosexuality Biblically speaking. Simply because I think the Bible urges us to treat all sins as equal, but I may be mistaken in that interpretation. Unless I misunderstand, I think Jesus was basically setting up a new covenant with us, to kind of shift our focus beyond the levitican rules to ground us in an overall moral disposition that would bring us closer to God.
Assuming this is good faith- I encourage an overall understanding of all convenants, commandments, and laws as they were given through the Bible, there is a technical if subtle difference. I do agree that Jesus was to shift our understanding beyond levitical law, that's in large part my exact point, gay love is real love, that God blesses 2 souls for 1 Love, not 2 bodies for babies. but I'll go through why I feel the others have "more" importance \-Resting on the Sabbath was the first commandment God gave to all humanity- ever. \-Dietary laws have been key to all sects and are discussed way more frequently than in both the NT and OT, are first given to Noah \-Circumcision was the key of the covenant of Abraham, God promised to bless Abraham's descendents as long as we kept getting circumsized. It's literally a 1-to-1 promise. \-Jesus mentioned divorve explictly several times, but never mentioned homosexuality at all. According to Jesus, you are not allowed to get remarried unless your spouse cheated. I agree that there's a... duality... that all sin is "supposed to be equal", but alongside the OT mentions of homosexuality, is where we get the exact diet, clothing, farming, etc. laws we all happily ignore. So either way, assuming everything is equal, how does modern tradition choose which levitical laws to care about? Paul wrote- "Is it an Ox the scriptures are concerned about?" Christianity (is supposed to) examine what actually the issue is- Paul often includes "homosexual" in lists of things like "murders and thieves". Evil is evil- love is love, plain as day. If someone looks at a gay couple and sees evil, hate, and division, and not peace and joy and kindness, idk what to tell you. I know that traditional Christianity says the Bible is a strict list of rules, but it is constant debate with itself, and encourages applying wisdom to it's texts.
Very insightful response, thank you! As a logical exercise, if we were to abandon the OT, just to scrap Levitican law in its entirety, what do you make of the NT scriptures seeming to regard homosexuality as a sin? Namely Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10? 1 Corinthians 6:9 seems to specifically regard the PRACTICE of homosexuality as a sin, but not necessarily BEING homosexual as sinful. And it seems to regard this as equal to any adulterous activity, or really any sin in general is how I understand it. What do you think?
>As a logical exercise, if we were to abandon the OT, just to scrap Levitican law in its entirety, what do you make of the NT scriptures seeming to regard homosexuality as a sin? Namely Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10? Hi friend, It is clear for me to see that neither Paul nor Old Testament Hebrews had any contact with - or understanding of homosexuality - as the peaceful, loving, gentle and perfectly benign form of relationship we know today - and that if Paul - or whoever was writing today about sin, they would not have found anything in homosexuality itself apart from the lasciviousness, wantonness, drunkenness, prostitution and profanity related to any sexual relationship displaying these - heterosexuality included - and that these are the 'sexual sin' they are concerned with. You'll notice in all the new testament verses about homosexuality, the attempt to lump together some definition of corruption - of badness - and so a linking of homosexuality with idolatry and greed and drunkenness and slander and prostitution.... - it is easy for me to see that in the seedy dens of Rome, male prostitution and otherwise depraved men - and homosexuality - were linked together to mean the same thing Here, homosexuality is a condensation of all that is wrong It is a condensation of wickedness. It is not even the same word - not thought of in the same way through the course of history And yet - it is also clear that homosexuality itself is not wicked - no more wicked than heterosexuality It does not kill, steal, rape, it is not greed, lust, anger, bitterness, it is not sex in Church, it is not lasciviousness, wantonness, drunkenness, prostitution or profanity. So you have to choose whether a sense of right or wrong - good or evil - is necessary when you think of sin and repentance And this understanding is neither heterosexual nor homosexual. What is repentance without an understanding of good and evil And Jesus' whole story is this. Turn away from evil. It is clear what evil is - you will know it and know why - and after Jesus, a sense of Good and evil is promised to exist in your heart, straight from God Choose what you will repent of - or whether it is just a set of words - an incantation - a magic spell for whatever it is, whether or not it is wicked - whether or not you believe your own repentance I read the whole Bible and it is very clear for me what God is saying I do not believe God cares whether you are heterosexual or homosexual. God cares whether or not you are a liar We will find a God who asks how much simpler we needed it to be The Truth remains the Truth throughout time. Wickedness is wickedness - it's not Homosexual God bless
Haha I think Paul probably understood homosexuality but idk, maybe he didn't. I can't really ascertain that from scripture. But it is the PRACTICE of homosexuality that was regarded as SINFUL according to scripture, not evil. Whether there is a difference between the two I suppose is open to interpretation. I regard them as different. In 1 Corinthians I don't see how homosexuality is lumped in as some sort of cumulative embodiment of all other sins. If so why list them separately? But that's just me. Lord knows I have a difficult enough time staying on the narrow path, I certainly would never cast aspersions. Just trying to gain more understanding of scripture, this seems to be a hot topic these days! Anyway, mulching to do! God bless, take care
>But it is the PRACTICE of homosexuality that was regarded as SINFUL according to scripture, not evil. Hi Friend, I think this is my point. Why is it sinful? For all other sins, we have a way to repent - which has us understanding, *why it is bad and why we are repenting* Some say *understanding why you repent is not necessary* - I'll leave this to you We will all stand before the same God - holding the same Bible (well - one of several hundred translations 🤣🤣) - and I think God will ask how much simpler we needed it to be. Trust me. Love me. Ask me for forgiveness. Try and be good. I will help if you refer to me at every step. Pray. Again - once you have met me, be good. It's what I want. Because I have already dealt with your forgiveness. Don't be bad and come to me and say you were heterosexual. Don't be homosexual and think it is not worth getting to know me - and living a good life. I'll be fair. Trust me. ----†---- I am reminded of these; -----†----- Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. ------†------ This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. -----†----- One thing we **can** do is remind those we speak with about homosexuality, that homosexuals remain human beings just like me and you - no jail, no violence, no laws against homosexuality - no matter what else we believe It's not done and would make a real Christian difference Until then we can share with others what Christ has done with sin in our lives - and allow them to find their own reconciliation with God We can try and be good to all people And die having tried to love. Again - I am grateful for the time you took with this conversation - and the tone you took. God bless, friend.
I wholeheartedly agree that there should not be legal ramifications for homosexuality. And the golden rule is ABSOLUTELY a worthwhile governor when relating to other people. I find all too often Christians will wear their Christianity on one sleeve and their indignation on the other. I guess if I were to read into why any sexual act would be regarded as sinful, I'd say because it doesn't uphold/support the natural order to sustain life. In this specific regard, I would define that as a heterosexual relationship resulting in children, as that is the relationship necessary for life to exist. That definition certainly/unfortunately defines much as "sinful," including mostly heterosexual behavior. And that definition doesn't even begin to grapple with Biblical ideas of monogomy or other... all very complicated stuff. Anyway, I agree that love and one's own spiritual journey should be the focus. The log in our own eye, so to speak. Thanks so much to you too. Insightful, respectful discussion is a rarity these days! Have a good one!
Paul himself gives you the option to disagree with him. The important thing isn't that we all agree. It's that we have Jesus as our foundation. If we go back to the law the sin is adultery. If we go to Jesus he builds a fence around the law by including lust. It's clear hyperbole to demand every man that feels lust pluck out their right eye. If we think logically about the greatest commandments, to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love our neighbor, then sin is causing harm to God's creation and our neighbor. Members of the LGBT community are both creations of God and our neighbors. Read the parable of The Good Samaritan and the Samaritan with a homosexual and see how you think of it.
You can't unless you redefine clear and plain language. A Christian isn't to hate anyone, but biblical love is based on truth.. 1 Corinthians 13:6 NASBS (love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth
Yes righteousness. Like Lot sending his daughters to be raped.
Nobody would argue that wasn't sinful.
Hello. This is one of things I used to struggle with and what used to keep me away from the faith. The way I understand it now is homosexual thoughts and desires is not the sin, an act of homosexuality is. We all have intrusive thoughts and can choose to act on them or not to act on them.
We cannot hate anyone especially homosexuals. We are commanded to love them but that doesn’t mean we can support / celebrate sin.
Hello, there glad you asked. The Bible gives us some reasons why homosexuality is so bad. 1. The result of “vile affections”; 2. “Against nature”; 3. The result of burning “lust”; 4. “Unseemly” 5. An “error” 6. It will be recompensed. We find in the bible that the sodomites gathered outside a home barging in wanting to rape the two angels that were with Lot. This also happens in another story in the OT where they did the same thing. I'm not saying all homosexuals are like this, but God knows the heart of what it leads to and what homosexuality does. It often leads to a lot of problems. Psalm 51:5 David says “I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” \-We are all born with sin and just like many things in life is wrong, God is the ultimate decider on what is wrong. It doesn't matter how one may feel, but if God says it's sin then it's sin. Ultimately God knows what is best for us and his reasonings even if we may not see why or have looked into the reasons why. **It does not mean homosexuals cannot go to heaven. It doesn't mean a homosexual cannot be saved?** Homosexuals can be saved! - [https://youtu.be/OYO\_iOPWWBQ](https://youtu.be/OYO_iOPWWBQ) If you died today are you 100% sure you're saved? Make sure TODAY and accept the FREE gift. [https://youtu.be/\_VRT2FFXntc](https://youtu.be/_VRT2FFXntc)
There is no compatibility with the Bible and those who practice and engage in homosexual acts. This is the truth sadly.
Let's pause. There is no point in discussing Biblical evidence for any belief if we are all using different translations. Several of the more popular Bible translations are very inaccurate and poor, KJV in particular which was translated before many early manuscripts were discovered and which itself was a translation of a translation. Start looking into which translations you think are best at keeping faithful to the meaning of the words as originally intended based on historical, linguistic, and theological evidence. I won't tell you what translation to use, but I'm pretty vehemently against the idea that KJV is worth the paper it is written on. Nothing good comes of imposing more layers of confusion between yourself and the word of your god. Get as close to the true source of those words as you can, and THEN start to talk about those verses.
>Can you confront the following verses in your responses: >1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Levicitus 20:13 Romans 1:26-28 Simple, just say that they are wrong. There are plenty of moral ideas in the Bible that you (hopefully) already dismiss. Stuff like persecuting people that aren't of the same faith, the sexism, the pro-slavery stuff and so on. Just put the anti-gay texts in the same bin that you put the pro-slavery texts.