In a recent post, he talked about how the word "gay" didn't define who he was. He explained how he wants to help people find Jesus through his testimonials. That after he shed his gay lifestyle he became much freer. Yet, I couldn't help but feel that he was enslaving himself by suppressing something that came natural to him. The reason I believe it came naturally was through previous blogs he wrote. So, I thought, it may bring him joy to quit fighting his negative self-talk and societal pressures regarding his sexuality. I mean who wouldn't find relief from avoiding all of the negative connotations associated with being gay. I'm sure he overheard straight men joking with their bro's about how something is "gay," or "no homo." Religious groups speaking out about how gays don't have a right to get married, and that they are an abomination or unnatural based on their interpretation of Bible verses. And lastly, stories of families that disown their children for being gay or who do not understand their lifestyle... That's a lot of pressure to conform to what is traditionally "normal," a.k.a. straight. So if you are strictly gay, it means living the rest of your life alone and chaste. Being chaste isn't so bad, but being alone must be horrible. Can you imagine spending the rest of your life fighting off something that comes as natural as breathing? What kind of quality of life can you enjoy, when you suppress your desire to love and be loved in return? Yes, people can confuse love with a sexual attraction and infatuation. But, who's to say homosexual love is any different that heterosexual? The only difference is the sex of the partner.
It's so frustrating to me growing up Christian to have those who are religious throw Biblical verses at me to defend their opinion about homosexuality being wrong. I'm in an active gay lifestyle, not necessarily sexually, but I am okay and accept my same sex attractions. I also happen to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I talk with Him and pray to Him on a daily basis. I don't go to church anymore... However, my decision was based on the fact that followers try to take away gay people's rights, with their reasoning coming from verses that have been misinterpreted in the Bible for years. However, it wasn't until I read "What The Bible Really Says About Homosexuality," that I truly felt free to pursue my same sex attraction. There are other gay Christians out there who are just like me. Who want a real, loving relationship with someone of the same sex. It also helped me realize that I don't need to sever my relationship with God to be gay, but that I needed to sever mys relationship with the gay lifestyle. Unfortunately, I think a lot of those in the gay lifestyle feel angered toward God, when in reality they should be angry with the men who preached against them over the years... Yet not become bitter about those who chose to continue to practice their chosen faith or preach about it to followers.
Sodom and Gomorrah is a well known story in the Bible that is supposedly based upon the sin of homosexuality. In reality, the main issue of those verses are being inhospitable. In the culture of the time period inhospitality was a big no no. Plus it is in the old testament and the new testament wiped out any relevance of most verses in the old. So, if you look at the Bible rationally there are certain parts of it that are historical and others that are rules and guidelines to live your life by. Next are the verses in Leviticus... Yes, this is in the New Testament. But, was it about homosexuality or was it about idolatry? It was idolatry. Lastly, if Jesus thought homosexuality was an issue, wouldn't He want to address it?
Now, I recently read a posting on Dr. Laura's website. She's an orthodox jewish woman and stated that homosexuality is an abomination. A professor from the Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education at the University of Virginia's response to her comment is very appropriate to prove that some things in the Bible are to be looked at historically. Here is his response:
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
Maybe those in a position of power in the Christian faiths should really reconsider what the Bible is really saying. It's not a matter of refuting the Bible's truth but merely that it has been misinterpreted for years. But, maybe they're worried that if they say they've been wrong all these years... That a lot people might stop going to church? What do you think?
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