Biblical arguments for homosexuality 1. The sin of Sodom was selfishness Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 2. The Levitical law is no longer applicable These laws condemned eating pork and shrimp, also. These laws have also been done away with. A) Barrenness was a curse to Jewish women—so homosexuality was wrong for the Jews—but not for other societies B) It was connected with idolatry—homosexuality associated with idolatry was condemned, but not homosexuality in and of itself. 3. Pauline writings were his private opinions 1Corinthians 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 1Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. Paul’s teaching on homosexuality also comes from these passages, so it is Paul’s personal opinions— not God’s laws. 4. Heterosexuality is unnatural for homosexuals—When Paul wrote against that which is “unnatural” in Romans 1:26, he was not declaring homosexuality wrong—he was declaring going against what was natural for each person. 5. Isaiah predicted homosexuals being welcomed in the kingdom Isa 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. Isa 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6. David and Jonathon were homosexual 1 Samuel 18-20 A) B) C) D) E) Jonathon “loved” David (18:3) Jonathon “stripped” in David’s presence (18:4) They kissed each other (20:41) David “exceeded” (20:41) which is taken to mean ejaculated David’s lack of success with women showed his homosexual problems Other arguments for homosexuality 1) There should be no sexual constraints among consenting adults—What two (or more) persons sexually and freely is their own moral business. Only coercion of freedom is wrong . 2) Right to privacy protects homosexuality—Privacy is a constitutional right, and the heterosexual majority has no right to impose their morality on the homosexual minority 3) Homosexuals have civil rights—Just because the majority of people choose to be heterosexual does not justify their passing laws against a homosexual minority. Why should they be deprived rights because of their sexual preference. Sexual tendencies are inherited—They are born this way. 4) 5) Morals have changed since ancient times. Biblical arguments against Homosexuality 1) God ordained heterosexuality—sex was given in a family context from the very beginning. “a man will leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh” one flesh is a reference to sexual intercourse 2) Canaan was condemned for homosexual sin—Ham’s son received the curse. Probably was an action that also occurred between Ham and Canaan. The canaanites were notorious for homosexuality and bestiality. 3) Sodom and Gomorrah were condemned— A) 10 of the 12 times “yadha” is translated in a sexual way is in Genesis B) why would virgins be offered to satisfy someone being “inhospitable”? C) Ezekiel 16:49-50 is talking about sexual sins also Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. D) Jude said it was sexual sin Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 4) Mosaic Law condemned it Le 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination . Not only among the jews, but Gentiles also. It was punishable by death. 5) Prophets spoke against homosexuality A) Jeremiah (I Kings 14:24) B) Ezekiel (Ezekiel 16:50) 6) Romans 1 condemns homosexuality Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 7) Other N.T. Writings 1Corinthians 6:9 ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Effiminate=male prostitute Abusers of themselves with mankind=homosexual Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 1Ti 1:9-10 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; arsenokoites—sodomite, homosexual Other Arguments 1) It is unnatural 2) It is socially undesirable— 3) A) avg. homosexual male has 8 partners a year, B) psychologists have shown a disproportionately high degree of superciliousness, narcissism, masochism, and hostility among homosexuals. C) Child molestors involve 3 times as many homosexuals as heterosexuals. No society is sustained by homosexuality—if homosexuality were accepted as the norm, society would die out. 4) It is unhealthy Objections answered 1) This discriminates against homosexuals A) this fails to distinguish between homosexuals and homosexuality. I.e. drunk driving laws don’t discriminate against drinkers B) assumes all discrimination is bad—we discriminate by putting warning labels on poison and cigarettes. Disruptive behavior is punished. 2) Lacks love of all persons This states we cannot love the person and hate the sin