This week’s topic was selected considering the recent wave of nearly 100 discriminatory legislative bills introduced by more than two dozen states across the country, California’s recent Bible-based initiative “to shoot gays in the head” and the rallying call of political mouthpiece Cardinal Raymond Burke.
Below are the Scriptures that many people are conflicted about.
What do you think?
THE BIBLE SAYS: HOW SHOULD GAYS BE TREATED?
- They should be killed: Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13
- They should be exiled: 1 Kings 15:12
(There are only two choices in the Bible. Please, have the rationality to not act upon these Scriptures. Instead, deeply consider your stance on this topic and your real reasoning and justification.)
Obviously, the Scriptures authorize violence. Unfortunately, there is no way around it; despite the heartfelt efforts of open-minded forms of Christianity and Judaism’s attempt to water down these Scriptures with translational, interpretational and old law vs new law explanations.
The fact remains: These Scriptures exist and they spread hate and death.
We should not ignore or try to passively explain away the dangerously homophobic Scriptures contained in the Bible anymore than we should disrespectfully ignore the fact that countless lives have been destroyed throughout history right up to our present day because of these Scriptures.
Neither should we ignore the fact that the Bible, whether believers like it or not, does irrefutably contain Scriptures, in both testaments, that plainly authorize and/or support patriarchal oppression, violence and hatred. Entire ancient civilizations have been justifiably eradicated; infants, women men and children even their animals because of a hand full of Scriptures found in the Bible. (Sam 15: 2-3; Deut 2:34, 3:6; Joshua 6.21)
Despite what many think; I am not a Bible basher or anti-Christian. I simply believe that the sooner people face and deal with the facts the sooner we can eradicate the ignorant writings and bigotry of hateful men from the bible; and achieve some lasting change.
For thousands of years how much hatred and violence has been kept alive due to some Scriptures. I for one believe it has been long enough, don’t you? At the very least the true nature of some people would finally be out in the open and the excuse “God made me do it” could no longer be used.
Alone, there is nothing I or any other individual can say or do to reach the hearts and minds of believers who adamantly choose to believe in hate. How could any rational argument, no matter how logical, possibly challenge the indisputable words of their God; who so clearly authorizes their hate?
When dealing with religious beliefs that justify atrocity the believers programed answer is always the same: “As humans we can never fathom or question the wisdom of God.” Using this type of logical fallacy, one could just as easily insert the name Stalin, Mao Zedong, or Hitler in place of God.
“We’re just blindly following chain of command.”
On the other side of this doctrinal issue, Liberal Christians, Reconstructionist and Reform members of Judaism believe they are no longer under the death laws pertaining to gays; and this is to be applauded.
Yet, it still does not eliminate the fact the bible authorized and enforced such laws, or eliminate the fact that many believers/politicians arduously try to reinstitute such laws today.
In conclusion, if anyone is still reading, close your eyes — silently envision all the countless human lives that have been mercilessly tortured, viciously murdered, throughout history right up to present day due to some Scriptures.
Now, consider as we draw closer to the next political elections, how, once again, the same anti gay vile verses and beliefs, like clock work, are being used as one of the rallying calls of religious/political leaders.
How much longer will we choose to either ignore or passively explain away these and other conflicting Scriptures? Surely by now people realize they instinctually experience conflict for a reason.
Already, through the centuries hundreds of innocuous scriptures and entire books have been removed, or edited in the Bible with little to no objection from believers. How many more years must pass before scriptures authorizing violence and hatred are finally removed?
Why are these Scriptures still in the Bible? Can someone please tell me what purpose they serve other than the one they have always served?
- Scriptures to cowardly hide behind;
- Divine justification for those who willfully want to carry out acts of hatred and violence;
- A rallying call of religious/political leaders for yet another biblically sanctioned holy war against gays, against Muslims, against other Christians, against what ever political or economic power is perceived to be a threat, opposition or in the way.
SpokaneFAVS wants to hear from you!
Be brave, please get involved let your voice be heard. [yop_poll id=”12″ tr_id=”[yop_poll id=”12″]”]
Removing Scriptures is historical revisionism. We need to keep problematic elements of the text so we can refer to them while building a case for a more compassionate view of life.
Great point Neal!
And you’re right.regarding historical revisions. Out of the more than 50 translations of the bible in English alone, many scriptures have been removed or edited in your and my lifetime. I don’t know how old you are but for me I’m not old enough yet to be considered historical- yet 🙂 So those versions of the bible would qualify as contemporary.
You got me thinking with your comment “building a case for a more compassionate view of life” I like that thought! My only concern is how do we build a case when we are being trumped by the word of God? Many people, especially conservative Christians, take the bible literally. I’m afraid the case would amount to our word against Gods word.
For instance, many scriptures found in both testements endorse slavery, which to this day are used to justify racism. You and I and others would once again be arguing a case for compassion and be trumped by the ultimate authority; Gods holy writings.
Maybe, we need to go back to the drawing board for an answer.
Thank you again for getting involved and speaking your mind.
Respectfully,
Brien
I’ve learned of late that trying to influence the thought of Biblical literalists in any significant way is a dead-end endeavor. One such literalist said as much to me.
Thank you for this amazing article Brien. I’ll be reading FAVS more frequently now. Please join us at The Spokane Anti-RFRA Rally on Saturday April 11th at the Water Feature in Riverfront Park. I’d like to shake your hand for writing this piece.
https://www.facebook.com/events/789182554546706/
Brien….consider your statement
“Surely by now people realize they instinctually experience conflict for a
reason.” They do….but religious tenets often trump common sense even
when making a serious moral decision regarding harming another human being with
no real world justification. I was at the NISS meeting you spoke at a few
months ago and I really enjoyed your talk. (I was the guy who had an issue with
labeling something in the material world as ‘spiritual’).
Changing the bible is always an interesting
topic. Most Christians have not read the bible. They have been spoon fed verses
that help fill the coffers and sooth the stark idea of death being final. In
fact no Christians I have encountered even know the real 10 Commandments
(Exodus 34:1-28) where the exact words on the first set of tablets are transferred
to the second set and NAMED The Ten Commandments by God. The 10th
commandment is “Do not seethe a kid in its Mother’s milk”. But Christians do
not follow this set because what they choose to follow is arbitrary. There are
literally as many sects of Christianity as there are Christians. No one
believes the very same tenets. For this reason doing something like changing
verses will not matter. And…what is good for the gander is good for the goose.
If YOU can change a bible verse then anyone can…..and they have…
Several verses have been altered according
to historians (NOT David Barton!). Paul’s rant against women, saying they
should be quiet in church and learn from their husbands does not appear in
early texts but was added later. The story ending with ‘let he that is without
sin cast the first stone’ (in which Jesus tap dances around the law…but for a
good purpose) is also a
later addition. You can see that they both are used by current day believers to
make various points because not many people know these words were not original
to the text as far as historians can tell. And leaders of the various churches
often count on that. I have attended several Sunday services lately as I play
in two very religious bands (long story…and yes… they know I am an atheist). It
is eye opening.
My point is this: Changing the text is not what has tamed Christianity. Civil, secular law
is what has trended Christianity away from stoning adulterers to death, stoning
wayward children to death, and generally wreaking havoc on folks (including
other Christians) that do not believe just as you do. Getting people to
understand that belief without evidence is not a valid way to determine moral
behavior is the key. Personally I would suggest atheism…sure works for me. But
I don’t sense that being a valid option on this site!
In response to several private emails I have received in retort to the
recent “The Bible Says” How Should Gays Be Treated? It has been pointed out
that even the New Testament bashes gays.
Yes it does, and here are the scriptures that the commenters could not
remember.
Romans
(1:26-28) With his usual intolerance, Paul condemns homosexuals
(including lesbians). This is the only clear reference to lesbians in the
Bible.
Regarding the natural use of women Paul explains that “the natural use”
of women is to act as sexual objects for the pleasure of men.
(26) “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 toward one another;” men with men working that which is
unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was
met.
I would like all straight (natural) Christians to take a moment, try to
imagine the immense shame, guilt and pain associated with these and other infantile
and abusive homophobic beliefs.
What devastating impact would it have on your life if you believed God
saw you as “unnatural and vile;” “worthy of death?”
Uncharacteristic of my nature I feel I need to be blunt.
These and other hate scriptures do not belong in the bible. They are not
from God.
Rather from small-minded, fearful little human creatures that are scared
of their own shadows. Congregating together around their bigotry like an open
flame in the darkness to ward off the bogeyman and saber tooth tigers.
As if there is a natural purpose for humans… or any life on earth -life is diversity.
What is the natural purpose of trees? Should they all have green leaves
and small pine cones and provide shade?
How many cross combinations of literally the entire animal kingdom have
happen naturally, as well as, with the assistance of humans?
Is the natural purpose of humans to have blue eyes and blond hair and to
make babies that follow the teachings of Thor the Thunder god? (Sounds good to
Nazis and Arians)
What is the natural purpose of anything other than what we have ascribed
for our own convenience of understanding.
In conclusion, dozens of scriptures expose and condemn the teachings of
fear, hate, bigotry and beliefs based on infantile thinking.
For we have partial knowledge,
but when that which is complete arrives, that
which is partial will be done away with. When I was a babe, I used to speak
as a babe, to think as a babe, to reason as a babe; but now that I have
matured, I have done away with the traits of a babe. (1 Corinthians 13:9-11)
It is time to put away the teachings and beliefs of
babes. The traditions of fear, hate and the patriarchal teachings of
exclusivity that keep believers from becoming what they were meant to become.