Photo credit: "Top Dog" (hyperlink below)
I believe everyone has the right to their own beliefs and practices
as long as they don’t infringe on other people’s rights. As long as you can
back up what you believe with fact rather than just opinion, you have a right
to argue whatever position you want. But there are a couple of problems I have
with people justifying hatred of homosexuality with their “proof” being
religion.
The first problem is how many people tend to emphasize the statement in Leviticus 18:22 which reads, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination." But then disregard the many other no-no’s of the bible, chopping them up to being no longer relevant in today’s society. Many of these forbidden things are stated in Leviticus, which I think emphasizes the fallaciousness of this “proof”.
- Gossiping: You can’t wait to call up your best friend and gossip with her about the news of Tom cruise and Katie Holmes divorce? Well better keep it to yourself according to the bible! Leviticus 19:16 states: “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor”.
- Eating Shrimp, Lobster, and Other Assorted Seafood: But wait, didn't Jesus feed an entire village with just one fish? Looks like he sinned... “And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.” - Leviticus 10-11.
- Men with Injured or Cut off Private Parts Entering Houses Of God: Poor guy went to the wrong doctor for his vasectomy, now he can’t even confide his pain to God! Talk about kicking a guy when he’s down. Deuteronomy 23:1 states: “He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.”
These few examples are only to add to a multitude of things that the bible forbids, that people do anyways; such as seeing a psychic (Leviticus 19:31), tattoos (Leviticus 19:28), getting a divorce (Mark 10:9), and many others. If it is obvious to see that these so called “abominations” are no longer relevant to avoid in our society, then why is homosexuality such a big deal?
My second issue falls particularly with Christian people (which is pretty interesting to say considering I was raised Christian). The problem with Christians using Leviticus 18:22 to justify hatred of homosexuals is that, Leviticus is from the Old Testament. After Jesus died his disciples created the New Testament, where in Jesus never mentioned homosexuality, not once. The only time he got close was when he said “Love thy neighbor”, he didn't say “blindly hate thy neighbor for their sexual preferences”.
Christians are supposed to follow the
word of Christ and the New Testament. After all, wasn't the point of Jesus
coming to earth to give people the message of the new loving and forgiving god,
as opposed to the old vengeful god of the Old Testament? If this is the case,
then god realized that his original laws were a little bit too harsh and unpractical.
If he, the holiest of holly’s can change his mind set, realizing that certain
rules no longer apply today, then why can’t his followers?
Sources:
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot?lang=eng
Photo source:
http://monsoux.blogspot.ca/2007/06/funny-things-about-gayfest-2007-in.html
Sources:
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot?lang=eng
Photo source:
http://monsoux.blogspot.ca/2007/06/funny-things-about-gayfest-2007-in.html
I'm in love with this blog post! As "sensitive" as the subject of religion may be for some it is something worth talking about. It has a huge influence on the way the world works and on a decent amount of every day people decisions. I was also brought up christian, did the whole eat the bread drink the wine thing, even went and made up a sin (I think I said i cheated on some test) just to get past the whole confession thing. But every year I got older and realized the hate and hypocrisy that comes from religion. As you mentioned in your blog there are many things people blatantly ignore from the bible such as gossip and tattoos, in fact they're big booming businesses. Yet homophobia in the eyes of the church remains. It disgusts me the hate that comes from it. I have nothing against religion as a whole, but the people who use it to justify their own means have no respect from me. All we can do is hope that in time the church will see the new tolerance in todays world and will drop the hate. Again, awesome post.
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