1. Homosexual behaviour is found in nature, so isn't it natural and ok?
The Bible says that heterosexuality is the norm, at least in humankind (Matthew 19:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 7:2-3). Even if homosexuality is found in animals (which is disputable), it would have no bearing on human morality, because we are more than mere animals (Genesis 1:26-27).
Also, infanticide is found in nature, but that doesn't mean that infanticide is morally right. What about praying mantises that eat their mates alive? I'm sure you get my point.
2. Homosexuality is none of our business, so why should I even care about homosexuality or same-sex marriage?
First I will address the part of the question regarding homosexual behaviour. I agree with this "none of my business" approach to homosexual behaviour outside of the church. However, inside of the Church (God's followers) things are much different:
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you. – 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 (emphasis added)
Now I will address the issue of same-sex "marriage". Canadians often like to quote Pierre Trudeau's statement that the government should stay out of the "bedrooms of the nation." This I agree with. However, marriage is not a private thing that stays in the bedroom. Marriage is very public, and families are the fundamental units of society. A report by the Witherspoon Institute made a convincing argument that "the laws that govern marriage matter significantly" (see page 14 of the report). Marriage and families need to be protected by society and government. However, there are convincing arguments presented by both advocates and opponents of the legalization of same-sex marriage, and I am currently undecided on whether or not the definition of marriage should be broadened to include same-sex couples.
3. Isn't it homophobic to oppose homosexuality?
The definition of homophobia from the Oxford American Dictionary is "an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people". The definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary online is "irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals". I can not speak for others, but personally I am not a homophobe. I merely believe what the Bible says: that homosexual behaviour is wrong.
4. Interracial marriage used to be forbidden by some Christians because it was thought to be unnatural. Isn't prohibiting same-sex marriage the same type of bigotry?
First of all, the Bible does not say that interracial marriage is wrong. Restrictions on interracial marriage are based on racism, and God is not racist (Acts 10:34-35).
Secondly, humans are not divided into separate races, from both the biological perspective and the Biblical perspective. The Bible says that all humans are descendants of one man and one woman (Genesis 3:20). As for the scientific perspective, the Human Genome Project website states,
"DNA studies do not indicate that separate classifiable subspecies (races) exist within modern humans. While different genes for physical traits such as skin and hair color can be identified between individuals, no consistent patterns of genes across the human genome exist to distinguish one race from another. There also is no genetic basis for divisions of human ethnicity."
The New York Times also reported:
"The more closely that researchers examine the human genome… the more most of them are convinced that the standard labels used to distinguish people by 'race' have little or no biological meaning."
5. Doesn't the Bible say that homosexuals should be put to death?
Leviticus 20:16, part of the Old Testament laws, says that those who engage in homosexual sex should be put to death. However, I, along with the vast majority of Christians, do not believe that homosexuals should be executed in this day and age. Here's why:
After Jesus came to earth, He said that He was establishing a new covenant with humankind. For example, in Matthew 9:16-17 He used parables to illustrate this. Many times Jesus disagreed with the religious rulers of the day. One time, recorded in John 8:1-11, He actually stopped the religious leaders from stoning to death a woman caught in the act of adultery (a sin requiring the death penalty back then). He pointed out that everyone there had sinned too, and let the woman go free, telling her to leave her life of sin.
Paul made it clear that following God is different "AD", after Christ. We are no longer bound to the Old Testament Law, which included things like circumcision and avoiding unclean food. The entire book of Galatians hammers home this point. Now we must have faith and love – things from the heart instead of Deuteronomy's law and punishment. And instead of condemning or judging people, we should reach out to the world with love.
In fact, not once does the New Testament say we should administer the death penalty. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (which I quoted above, in Question #2) tells us to reject those who practice sexual immorality inside the church, but to let God judge those who are not Christians. Our God is merciful, and has commanded us to be merciful too (Luke 6:36).
That being said, the prohibitions on homosexual behaviour remain, as shown by passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:24-27, and 1 Timothy 1:8-11. Marriage and sex remain sacred and still belong between one man and one woman, according to God's eternal plan, as confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6.
6. Can homosexuals go to heaven?
Definitely! God has made a way for everyone to get to heaven, regardless of whether you're attracted to the opposite sex or the same sex (Titus 2:11). See the next question to learn more!
7. Isn't it unfair to tell homosexuals that they have to suppress their aspirations for romance with someone of the same gender?
In our fallen world, some people appear to have harder challenges in life than others. Some have physical disabilities, like Bethany Hamilton, who lost an arm in a shark attack, but through her determination and faith in God went on to become a pro athlete despite her disability. Others have mental challenges (for example, a mental illness). Other people have social challenges (like being born into poverty). Still others have spiritual difficulties (struggling with a certain sin, such as homosexuality). But all people are welcome to rejoin God and ask Him to guide and help them. Whatever our difficulties are, it is best to simply trust God, because He is all-knowing (Psalm 147:5) and all-loving (1 John 4:8)! A favourite Bible verse of mine is Isaiah 55:9, which says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." God knows better than anyone else what is fair – our best bet is to simply trust Him.
Everyone has difficulties in life, but the Bible says that everyone's biggest problem is sin. All our other problems pale in comparison. Even if you think you can live without God, the Bible says you need Him to save you, "for all have sinned" (Romans 3:23), and "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). If we accept Christ's free gift of salvation, we can live forever with God after our bodies die here on earth. Even if someone has committed many grave sins, he or she can still repent, accept God's grace, and go to heaven (Ezekiel 18:10-32). Once we belong to God, He gives us help when we are tempted (Hebrews 2:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:13). There is hope for homosexuals in Christ!
I'll give you an example of what this "hope in Christ" means. Matt Moore is a Christian man who is sexually attracted to other men. He used to live an active homosexual lifestyle, viewing pornography multiple times a day and having sex with other men. But after dedicating his life to God, he realized that homosexuality is wrong and decided to stop giving into his sexual desires. He recently blogged: "Jesus gives me more joy than sex with men or pornography ever did." I encourage you to read his complete testimony online: Matt Moore – My Full Story: Homosexuality, Drunkenness, Grace, and Redemption.
To learn more about how to be follow God and be saved from sin, please see my blog page What it Means to Follow Jesus. To learn more about the Bible, please visit my blog page About the Bible.
My question isn't here.
Then please email me at sk8erboyblog@gmail.com and I'll try to answer you the best I can!
My question isn't here.
Then please email me at sk8erboyblog@gmail.com and I'll try to answer you the best I can!
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"Do everything in love." - 1 Corinthians 16:14
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." – 1 Corinthians 10:31
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Scripture taken from the NIV, 2011.
