Why does anyone condemn homosexuals?
Some point to passages in the Bible which appear to say that homosexual conduct is a sin. One such passage is 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, which states: "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."
But the Bible condemns many activities as sinful. Here is a short list (courtesy of Evil Bible.com):
Kill People Who Don't Listen to Priests
Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12)
Death for Cursing Parents
1) If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness. (Proverbs 20:20)
2) All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense. (Leviticus 20:9)
Death for Adultery
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10)
Kill People for Working on the Sabbath
The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.' (Exodus 31:12-15)
Why do Fundamentalists single out homosexuality?
Some Fundamentalists say that their religion tells them that homosexuals are sinners and that they are exercising their free exercise rights when they publicly state this opinion. But what if someone else said that those who believe gays are sinners are homophobic and that their religion tells them to persecute homophobes? The “religious excuse” can work both ways.
It is worth noting that people used to cite the Bible in favor of slavery. Over time, slavery lost popularity when enough people could see that the Bible can be used to excuse or condemn just about anything. Sooner or later, those opposed to gays will have to stop hiding behind someone else’s words and formulate their own.
Some point to passages in the Bible which appear to say that homosexual conduct is a sin. One such passage is 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, which states: "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."
But the Bible condemns many activities as sinful. Here is a short list (courtesy of Evil Bible.com):
Kill People Who Don't Listen to Priests
Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12)
Death for Cursing Parents
1) If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness. (Proverbs 20:20)
2) All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense. (Leviticus 20:9)
Death for Adultery
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10)
Kill People for Working on the Sabbath
The LORD then gave these further instructions to Moses: 'Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy. Yes, keep the Sabbath day, for it is holy. Anyone who desecrates it must die; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. Work six days only, but the seventh day must be a day of total rest. I repeat: Because the LORD considers it a holy day, anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death.' (Exodus 31:12-15)
Why do Fundamentalists single out homosexuality?
Some Fundamentalists say that their religion tells them that homosexuals are sinners and that they are exercising their free exercise rights when they publicly state this opinion. But what if someone else said that those who believe gays are sinners are homophobic and that their religion tells them to persecute homophobes? The “religious excuse” can work both ways.
It is worth noting that people used to cite the Bible in favor of slavery. Over time, slavery lost popularity when enough people could see that the Bible can be used to excuse or condemn just about anything. Sooner or later, those opposed to gays will have to stop hiding behind someone else’s words and formulate their own.
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