Does the New Testament Anywhere Clearly Talk About Homosexuals?

[Skwim]

I think there are plenty of verses showing that sexual immorality is a sin or error against Gods laws:

Ephesians 5:5 For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no sexually immoral person or unclean person or greedy person, which means being an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and of God


1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, that you should be holy and abstain from sexual immorality.


There is also the account about young Joseph in Egypt who knew it would be a sin against God to have sexual relations with his masters wife:

Genesis 39:7-9 Now after these things, the wife of his master began to cast her eyes on Joseph and say: “Lie down with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife: “Here my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has entrusted everything he has into my care. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I am, and he has not withheld from me anything at all except you, because you are his wife. So how could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?”

Thanks.

Immorality and sin is synonymous

No they're not. Please look up the word "synonymous."

 

[Pegg]

Are you talking sexual or romantic?

both really.

romantic desire often leads to sexual desire...perhaps romantic desires are the catalyst to sexual desire because we are made to procreate and you need to have sex to do that.

 

[Bunyip]

both really.

romantic desire often leads to sexual desire...perhaps romantic desires are the catalyst to sexual desire because we are made to procreate and you need to have sex to do that.

Well romantic desires are not just about procreation, they are about forming social bonds as well, we are a social species.

 

[fantome profane]

Good post

What is now of interest is how Christians justify their acceptance of homosexuality.

Any Christian out there up to explaining?

I'm not a Christian.

But one possible way a Christian could reconcile their acceptance of homosexuality is simply to acknowledge that these are letters written by Paul. Paul is not "God". Paul was a human being.

It is possible for a Christian to acknowledge that Paul was human, and therefore his letters were from a human source and still be a Christian. This need not shake the core of their beliefs. They can even still respect Paul and agree with him on other matters. But Paul was a human being, and he didn't approve of homosexuality (at least what he understood as homosexuality). So what?

Paul actually was not a big fan of sex of any kind. He was single and celibate. For him sex within marriage was allowed as a concession. But even that was not something he would encourage.

Some Christians think they are suppose to follow Christ, not Paul, and not a book. But then again, I am not a Christian.

 

[Call_of_the_Wild]

Please! Homosexuality isn't a disease. It's a perfectly natural and healthy sexual orientation. God does not "intend" for us to "be" any certain way. Not trusting the medical community with regard to homosexuality is like not trusting astrophysics with regard to the shape of the earth.

Lets continue to pretend as if God approves of homosexuality

 

[sojourner]

I didnt say it was a disease. It is a desire. And in Gods view it is a wrong desire because it is out of harmony with his will and purpose for mankind.

It is an orientation -- just like heterosexuality is an orientation. So... let's conclude: sexual attraction is "out of harmony with [God's] will."

God's "purpose for [hu]mankind" is for us to have 0 sexual attraction.





Got it.

 

[s2a]

Well romantic desires are not just about procreation, they are about forming social bonds as well, we are a social species.

*naughty and auspicious rub*

 

[Aupmanyav]

(OP) Very soon they will remove it even from the Old Testament also.

 

[starlite]

A quote from PBS.org

"It is undeniable that relationships we would call homosexual, especially between men and youths, played an important role in Ancient Greek society. In cities such as Sparta and Thebes, there appeared to be a particularly strong emphasis on relationships between men and youths, and it was considered an important part of their education. On the night of their wedding, Spartan wives were expected to lie in a dark room and dress as a man - presumably to help their husbands make the transition from homosexual to heterosexual love."

Another quote states:
"Second-century writer Athenagoras charges that some at that time had set up “a market for fornication, and established infamous resorts for the young for every kind of vile pleasure.” Included in this “market” that publicly “sold” illicit sex was the theater. The themes of the shows dwelt on the immoral love life of the gods. The performers often dressed in “close-fitting dress” that gave the appearance of nudity. Additionally, on the walls of homes and temples, often in full public view, were paintings of “indescribable lewdness,” at times even portraying sexual intercourse. The statues of the immoral gods, often portrayed nude, were in public view for even the youngest of eyes. Also, literature containing some of the filthiest language and descriptions ever recorded circulated freely among the youth. Minds were contaminated from an early age by reading, or by having others read to them, the escapades of the gods and goddesses.

Add to this the very popular public baths, used by the masses, which were considered little better than “houses of prostitution under a respectable name”; the gymnasiums, where many young and old men exercised in the nude, and which became dens of homosexuality; and the festivals, which were often just public sexual orgies. The situation became exactly as that described in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians. Referring to those who ‘rendered sacred service to the creation rather than the Creator’ and who followed the then-current morals, he wrote: “God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene.” (Rom. 1:24-27) Paul’s description was shockingly accurate, for the moral depravity of the Graeco-Roman world led to one of the most disgusting practices in history—the sexual abuse of young boys by older men. This filthy practice was glorified by poetry and plays, and the whole society was infected with it."


To conclude....even if homosexuality was commonly practiced and considered "sacred" to pagan gods...it doesn't mean it was accepted by the God of the Bible. In fact, after listing the type of immoral persons that filled the ancient city of Corinth—fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals and the like—the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Christian congregation located there, wrote: “That is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11) The teachings of genuine Christianity had imparted moral strength so that its adherents could change and stay free of sexual immorality.

 

[allright]

Good post

What is now of interest is how Christians justify their acceptance of homosexuality.

Any Christian out there up to explaining?

There's only one real explanation. There not really Christians

 

[sojourner]

Lets continue to pretend as if God approves of homosexuality

Let us continue to pretend as if God doesn't approve of homosexuality.

 

[sojourner]

There's only one real explanation. There not really Christians

Neither was Jesus. i guess they're in good company.

 

[allright]

Neither was Jesus. i guess they're in good company.

push this perversion all you want, you cant win

 

[Estro Felino]

Let us continue to pretend as if God doesn't approve of homosexuality.

well...of course he approves of it. But sometimes...when he watches two cruisers having sex...he laughs at the scene for hours.

 

[Nada]

In the OT homosexuality is spoken of.The NT says those who are sexually immoral will not inherit the Kingdom.It does mention men having sex with men in the NT.

1 Corinthians 6:9 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

Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,

 

[Skwim]

I'm not a Christian.

But one possible way a Christian could reconcile their acceptance of homosexuality is simply to acknowledge that these are letters written by Paul. Paul is not "God". Paul was a human being.

I take it then that you're suggesting that it's fine to pick and choose which passages to pay attention to and which to ignore. Depending on who wrote them?

 

[Estro Felino]

In the OT homosexuality is spoken of.The NT says those who are sexually immoral will not inherit the Kingdom.It does mention men having sex with men in the NT.

1 Corinthians 6:9 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

Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality,

well...Saint Paul had issues, probably. Some historians claim he may have been bipolar and\or epileptic.
He also said that eunuchs will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. I don't know whether the statement is more cruel or stupid.
Because eunuchs' condition didn't depend on their will. I don't see how they should be blamed for that

 

[fantome profane]

I take it then that you're suggesting that it's fine to pick and choose which passages to pay attention to and which to ignore. Depending on who wrote them?

Yep, that is exactly what I am saying. :yes:

I am suggesting that it is actually ok and reasonable to use your brain, even for a Christian. And I know many Christians who actually do use their brains when reading scripture.

 

[sojourner]

push this perversion all you want, you cant win

Perversion? You mean the perversion where we actually show hospitality, shelter the stranger, include the outcast, free the oppressed, and show respect for other human beings? The one where we actually stand up against discrimination, like MLK did in 1963? The one where we refuse to permit the systemic violence perpetrated upon minorities? That perversion? The perversion where we allow those who are socially considered "unclean" to touch us? The perversion that calls for a whole humanity instead of a humanity where some are treated as less than human? That perversion?

You think this is an "issue" with "sides" that can be "won." News flash: it's not a contest that some "win" and some "lose." We are humanity -- a whole humanity, in all of our differences and disagreements. This is about being that whole humanity. Join us. We need you.

 

[sojourner]

well...of course he approves of it. But sometimes...when he watches two cruisers having sex...he laughs at the scene for hours.

God is the "cruisers."