Overheard on the Internet (Or, Things that make you go "Hmmm . . .")

If you have ever had to deal with someone pointing to the bible as evidence against homosexuality, read on because I investigated the topic and have hit paydirt.

People have mentioned Leviticus sections that speak against Homosexual acts. At the time Leviticus was written, these acts were considered a "necessary part of worship by contemporary pagan groups. The severity of the Old Testament's [sic] judgment against homosexuality must be seen in that context. The Israelite would be imitating pagan cultic practices and would thereby defile himself or herself (Leviticus18:3,20,24,30). The worship of Yahweh was to be unconditionally exclusive. No trace of pagan influence was to be countenanced."

"Even after the danger of ritual intercourse had passed, the prohibition against homosexual activity was retained just as various dietary prescriptions had been maintained. The Talmud extended the prohibition . . . to women as well."

See? They didn't lambast homosexuality because they thought it IN and OF itself was bad: it was because the pagan cults were doing it. To say that the Bible is flat out against homosexuality is a shallow understanding of the text.

The above excerpts were taken from a book by Richard McBrien, theologian at the University of Notre Dame.

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