The Bible and Homosexuality

How do Minnesota's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith reconcile their beliefs when their own sacred texts seem to condemn them? It's an important question for both LGBT people and people of faith as the conversation in recent months regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality has shifted from one of political equality to one of spiritual equality.

Just a month ago, the Twin Cities' new Archbishop used theology to accuse not only LGBT people but also their families and friends of participating in "mortal sin." In contrast, an increasing number of Minnesota churches are finding an open and affirming place for LGBT people within their congregations. Wednesday night, more than 100 people gathered at Pi Bar and Restaurant to gain an in-depth understanding of the content and context of some of the most often quoted verses from the Bible in regard to homosexuality.

The root of opposition to equal rights most often lies in deeply held religious beliefs. But biblical mentions of same-gender sexual activity are rare, and mentions of same-sex relationships as we know them today are non-existent. Only a handful of verses deal directly with the issue, including Genesis and Leviticus in the Old Testament and Romans in the New Testament.

The Rev. Laurie Crelly of the Faith, Family, Fairness Alliance said that context is important to understanding what the Bible says about various issues. "The basic ways of approaching the text, even if you've never cracked a Bible before, just ask the simple questions of: who wrote it, why did they write it, what is the main subject and then how does that apply to me? These are very helpful things to start with."

Interpretations of the Bible have been the source of disagreement and even war throughout history. Below, I provide very brief interpretations as presented at a Bible Self-Defense Course organized by OutFront Minnesota; the Faith, Family, Fairness Alliance; and Soulforce, as well as information from progressive religious websites. These are not the only interpretations, and are simply my understanding of the progressive arguments presented.

Genesis, Creation and Sodom

The story of creation in Genesis is often used by people of faith to argue against relationship rights for same-sex couples. God made Adam and Eve, and they had children and began the human race, the argument goes. But just because God's plan included a heterosexual couple at the beginning doesn't mean he didn't plan for other types of loving relationships, critics argue. Nothing of the creation story speaks positively or negatively of homosexuality.

Also in Genesis is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, often seen as the first condemnation of homosexuality in the Bible. The inhabitants of both cities attempt to rape male angels who were staying with a man named Lot. The villagers said, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." Lot replied, "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof."

Without context, the lesson of the story could easily be about offering your virgin daughters to angry villagers when they appear on your doorstep intent on raping your guests.

Many Biblical scholars have said the story is about the morality of rape or even an admonishment of being inhospitable. Later books of the Bible say that God destroyed the cities because of greed and gluttony. For example, the book of Ezekiel says, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen."

Leviticus: the Holiness Code

Leviticus contains two verses with direct admonishments to homosexual sex, both virtually identical: "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." These are part of the Holiness Codes of Leviticus for use by the Jewish priests back then, and the Hebrew word to describe "abomination" is "toevah." The word means culturally forbidden, which is distinguished from morally forbidden. That's why the verse is sandwiched between prohibitions against eating shellfish, trimming beards, and wearing clothes made from more than one material. The Holiness Codes were created to distinguish the Jewish people from the pagan peoples surrounding them, and most theologians interpret them in that context.

Romans: Paul's Polemic

In Romans, Paul writes, "Because of this [idolatry], God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error."

In Romans, Paul is speaking to Jewish Christians about Gentile Christians. The Jewish Christians held the Gentiles in contempt because they thought that Gentiles should convert to Judaism before becoming true Christians. Paul appeals to the negative views that Jewish Christian held against Gentile Christians, and then slams themb saying that the judgment expressed by Jewish Christians is sinful. He does the same with the Gentiles, appealing to their views and then chastising them for not coming together as Christians.

Paul's message is that God is the judge, not the people, and that all Christians are on a level playing field.

Paul's admonishment of homosexuality stems from Jewish Christians' views of the behaviors of Gentile Christians. He is reiterating their negative views, not necessarily taking a moral or ethical stance on homosexuality.

Crelly explained the complex context of Romans. "He may not even agree with what he is saying. He is using it as an argument about idolatry, saying that Gentiles are idolatrous. They have graven images, but the Jewish people also have an idolatrous worship of the law over God."

LGBT Christians and progressive people of faith argue that Paul's writing and message of Christian inclusion should bring LGBT Christians into the church and not be used to expel them.

Respecting Interpretations

"There are often loud voices that use their religious views to call for discrimination against GLBT people, and unless we have a different religious perspective speaking out, there is silence on the other side," Monica Meyer, public policy director for OutFront, writes at MinnPost.com. "This work gives people tools to advocate for GLBT rights and helps people understand that they can constructively participate in the public dialogue around GLBT rights, along with their conservative counterparts, using both sides' shared sacred text, the Bible."

Crelly says that respecting those you disagree with is vital to having this discussion. "You want to respect it [the Bible] enough to say 'I may not agree with you and might not even identify myself as a Christian, but I can at least respect the fact that this is your sacred text.  I am caring enough about you to respect that.'"