by J L Petriesan

Created on: December 16, 2008

"Jesus doesn't want these people in his heaven" Ronald Edward Gay, who, on December 22, 2000 entered a gay bar in Roanoke, Virginia, and, upset by having been mercilessly teased because of his last name, began shooting. Six were injured, one died.

In July 1999, Matthew Williams and his brother, Tyler, murdered a gay couple, Gary Matson and Winfield Mowder, in their home near Sacramento, California. Speaking to his mother from the Shasta County jail, Matthew explained his actions in this way: "I had to obey God's law rather than man's law," he said. "I didn't want to do this. I felt I was supposed to. I have followed a higher law... I just plan to defend myself from the Scriptures." (http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bibl e-gay-christian)

Not acceptable in our society, right?

But what, exactly does the Bible have to say about homosexuality? Precious little, really. There are 7,959 verses in the Bible. The following list, if one includes the entire 14 verses about Sodom's destruction, indicates there are about 26 dealing with homosexuality. But, just for discussion, let's say there are DOUBLE that many (just in case I missed a few or cut some passages off prematurely); so approximately 52 out of 7,959. Calculator drum roll please. . .6/10ths of 1 percent. What does this tell us?

To me it says the Bible doesn't have a lot to say about homosexuality. This is congruent with my general concept of the Bible, that it is ultimately the Story of God, Man, and the interaction between God and Man.

1. The Case Against Homosexuality from the Bible

The verses, without commentary:

GENESIS 2:21-25: So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said,
This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, '
for she was taken out of man."

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

GENESIS 19:1-14: (Too long for here. No, I am not avoiding the issue, but trying to save space. Please go read it, either in your Bible, or here: (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=GENESIS %2019:1-14;&version=31;)

LEVITICUS 18:22: Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

LEVITICUS 20:13: 'If a man

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