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Does the Bible Condemn Gay People?: A Close Look at What Scripture Says About Homosexuality
What does the Bible really say about homosexuality? Is it a sin to be gay or to be in a same-sex relationship? Many people struggle with reconciling religion and homosexuality. You might have a gay friend or family member, or be gay yourself, and not know what God would say about your sexuality. You might have been told that being gay is a terrible sin, and some verses from the Bible might even have been used to justify this claim. Find out which passages are said to refer to being gay and gay relationships Being raised in Christian households, we were often told that the Bible condemns homosexuality. We struggled with these issues ourselves for a long time, and eventually decided to research the Bible ourselves and find out exactly what it says about homosexuality. All of the passages that are often used against homosexuality in the Bible are discussed in this book. Find ways to reconcile being gay and Christian This short book is packed with information about how Biblical scholars and religious leaders have reconciled homosexuality and religion, - What Jesus had to say about homosexuality - Same-sex relationships in the Bible - How many churches are changing their stances and teachings about homosexuality About the authors Grant Andrews is currently completing his PhD at the University of the Western Cape, with a focus on fatherhood and masculinities. He lectures in the English Department and has written extensively on self-actualization and self-exploration. Malan van der Walt is a student program coordinator at the University of Stellenbosch, working with young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in order to promote HIV prevention and to advocate for equality. He is continuing his postgraduate studies in psychology with a focus on gender and sexuality. He conducts counselling sessions and runs support groups with young gay people. If you need a fresh perspective on your faith and sexuality, this book is for you.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2015
76 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Grant Andrews
33 books14 followersGrant Andrews is a lecturer, editor and writer who currently lives in Johannesburg, South Africa. He teaches courses on media studies, critical literacy, visual literacy, South African literature and film. His research interests include queer studies and South African queer media.
He spends his time walking his two dogs, Coby and Billy, writing, listening to music and relaxing with his partner, Malan.
He spends his time walking his two dogs, Coby and Billy, writing, listening to music and relaxing with his partner, Malan.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 6, 2021
This book was written by a couple of post-graduate students, one in the English department and the other in psychology. Neither one has any training in ancient Greek, Hebrew, or theology that they mention. They give a few pro-gay websites, books, films, and a Wikipedia page as general references at the beginning of the book. They don't give specific references for their ideas.
They claim there are only six verses in the Bible that are linked to homosexuality. According to the authors, several words have been mistranslated and only make the Bible sound like it is against homosexuality. I checked 50 English translations at biblegateway.com and couldn't confirm their assertions. Bible translations are usually done by experts in the original Greek and Hebrew.
"The way people read the Bible today is very different from the way it was read throughout history." p.11
"Paul’s background and his cultural context can clearly be seen as informing this passage." p.18
We can't trust Paul or the Bible because they are not part of our hedonistic post-modern culture. The Bible means what we say it means, and not what it meant in its original context.
They claim there are only six verses in the Bible that are linked to homosexuality. According to the authors, several words have been mistranslated and only make the Bible sound like it is against homosexuality. I checked 50 English translations at biblegateway.com and couldn't confirm their assertions. Bible translations are usually done by experts in the original Greek and Hebrew.
"The way people read the Bible today is very different from the way it was read throughout history." p.11
"Paul’s background and his cultural context can clearly be seen as informing this passage." p.18
We can't trust Paul or the Bible because they are not part of our hedonistic post-modern culture. The Bible means what we say it means, and not what it meant in its original context.
September 2, 2023
This book could have been so much better if the authors had really sourced their arguments when referring to advancements in translation or spent any amount of time digging into the issues with translating from Hebrew and the function of the bible as a historical text- BUT they were so right about the book of Ruth being lesbian coded so 3 stars. Peace and love on planet earth
January 6, 2023
"Do some soul-searching and use your own thinking. ..."
This short book looks at the passages in the Bible that have been used by some to affirm the view of God/Jesus/Christians on the topic of Homosexuality.
What I found of great interest is that this is not a book about Theology, but a book that explores the vocabulary, particularly in the context of the time in which the Bible was written, and the translations from the original language if the books of the Bible to the language(s) in which it is read.
I find differences just in reading the King James Bible vs. the New International Version Bible vs. The Good News Bible, and while those differences may seem subtle, as this book points out, they can be meaningful.
The concept that some of these passages may have been referring to the "sexual harassment" and #metoo moments of the time makes a lit of sense to me, in part because I find myself doubting either is a "modern invention".
On the other end of the " intellectual" spectrum, or lessons in vocabulary/jargon if you will is the belief that when Plato created his oft referred to definition of love "that can not create a child" he was referring to a relationship between an o!see man, and a younger man.
The authors of this book invite the readers to think/reflect on what the original writers of the Bible meant, in the context of their time and culture/society, and provide a lot of interesting information to help with that thinking.
This short book looks at the passages in the Bible that have been used by some to affirm the view of God/Jesus/Christians on the topic of Homosexuality.
What I found of great interest is that this is not a book about Theology, but a book that explores the vocabulary, particularly in the context of the time in which the Bible was written, and the translations from the original language if the books of the Bible to the language(s) in which it is read.
I find differences just in reading the King James Bible vs. the New International Version Bible vs. The Good News Bible, and while those differences may seem subtle, as this book points out, they can be meaningful.
The concept that some of these passages may have been referring to the "sexual harassment" and #metoo moments of the time makes a lit of sense to me, in part because I find myself doubting either is a "modern invention".
On the other end of the " intellectual" spectrum, or lessons in vocabulary/jargon if you will is the belief that when Plato created his oft referred to definition of love "that can not create a child" he was referring to a relationship between an o!see man, and a younger man.
The authors of this book invite the readers to think/reflect on what the original writers of the Bible meant, in the context of their time and culture/society, and provide a lot of interesting information to help with that thinking.
February 25, 2017
Awesome
I read this book because I have a lot of lgbt friends and being from a Christian family I was taught that being gay was not OK but after working with people that are gay and having friends that are gay I realized that you can lobe them like your family and gos still loves them to. I would recommend this book to any one
I read this book because I have a lot of lgbt friends and being from a Christian family I was taught that being gay was not OK but after working with people that are gay and having friends that are gay I realized that you can lobe them like your family and gos still loves them to. I would recommend this book to any one
Read
April 19, 2021Simple, concise, to the point, and unbiased. Essentially, the writers of the books of the Bible had no consciousness of sexual orientation to have a perspective on. What is horrid is the sloppy, poor, and biased translation of Greek and perhaps ignorance of temple prostitution and rape as a form of warfare. There was no 'gay lifestyle' to condemn period.
June 5, 2018
THANK YOU!!
This book confirms what I have been saying about loving one another regardless of romantic preference / sexual orientation. Life is too short to try and tell someone who s/he can or can't love.
This book confirms what I have been saying about loving one another regardless of romantic preference / sexual orientation. Life is too short to try and tell someone who s/he can or can't love.
August 13, 2022
Written to Tickle Ears
So glad this book was quite short. This was a chapter taken out of a book on parenting a son who identtifies as gay. This booklet is based on the premise that God is okay with sexual sin and that people can not change their sexual identity.We know there are more exgays than there are folks who identify as gay. We know God is not a fan of sin including sexual sin. On one point I can agree with this gay couple who wrote this booklet, God does love everyone including folks who identify as any of the letters. God hates the sin.
So glad this book was quite short. This was a chapter taken out of a book on parenting a son who identtifies as gay. This booklet is based on the premise that God is okay with sexual sin and that people can not change their sexual identity.We know there are more exgays than there are folks who identify as gay. We know God is not a fan of sin including sexual sin. On one point I can agree with this gay couple who wrote this booklet, God does love everyone including folks who identify as any of the letters. God hates the sin.
July 29, 2016
Please do not flame me for what I am about to write.
A very quick read. It is not going convince haters; but it is going to encourage the LGBTQA* community that believes, but is not quite convinced, that they are truly still welcomed in the kingdom of their god and faith.
I have spent a lot of time at the crossroads of my spiritual life. I believe, but not as a god in our image, out of the belief that a white jesus doesn't seem natural or real for a being that is all knowing. Plus, I feel like religions in general, and churches in particular, are more narrow, and non-inclusive to all who see their god as all knowing, and a constant, never changing, so long as it is what they believe. And the abhor persons who try to push their [religious] beliefs onto me. (Brackets, because: insert any word there.)
However, in this book, there are some good points made that I have myself found interesting in the bible. (Aside: We could also go into the aspect that the bible specifically states no idols are to be worshiped, nor tattoos, but I know of very religious people who wear both crosses, have St. Mary statues and wear tattoos, so how does that makes them more perfect than I? Plus, the bible specifically states that prayer should be done in private, yet we see it done in public all the time...but I digress.)
The point is, that people see in the bible what they want to see. And that is good and that is bad. Strict bible followers are not going to have their thoughts changed from they way they were raised, even if their god came down himself and told him his truth. That is the sad fact. For many, the bible is the only unchanging thing in their life. In a world that is constantly changing, I get that. Even if it may be flawed.
If you believe in a just and kind god, who believes you can grow with the bible, in thought and spirituality, but cannot see that maybe there are possible flaws in the bible, there truly is no hope for the spiritual kind.
But again, this book is mostly for the LGBTQA* community that needs reassurance that their god is kind, caring, and loving. Which is a wonderful thing in my mind.
A very quick read. It is not going convince haters; but it is going to encourage the LGBTQA* community that believes, but is not quite convinced, that they are truly still welcomed in the kingdom of their god and faith.
I have spent a lot of time at the crossroads of my spiritual life. I believe, but not as a god in our image, out of the belief that a white jesus doesn't seem natural or real for a being that is all knowing. Plus, I feel like religions in general, and churches in particular, are more narrow, and non-inclusive to all who see their god as all knowing, and a constant, never changing, so long as it is what they believe. And the abhor persons who try to push their [religious] beliefs onto me. (Brackets, because: insert any word there.)
However, in this book, there are some good points made that I have myself found interesting in the bible. (Aside: We could also go into the aspect that the bible specifically states no idols are to be worshiped, nor tattoos, but I know of very religious people who wear both crosses, have St. Mary statues and wear tattoos, so how does that makes them more perfect than I? Plus, the bible specifically states that prayer should be done in private, yet we see it done in public all the time...but I digress.)
The point is, that people see in the bible what they want to see. And that is good and that is bad. Strict bible followers are not going to have their thoughts changed from they way they were raised, even if their god came down himself and told him his truth. That is the sad fact. For many, the bible is the only unchanging thing in their life. In a world that is constantly changing, I get that. Even if it may be flawed.
If you believe in a just and kind god, who believes you can grow with the bible, in thought and spirituality, but cannot see that maybe there are possible flaws in the bible, there truly is no hope for the spiritual kind.
But again, this book is mostly for the LGBTQA* community that needs reassurance that their god is kind, caring, and loving. Which is a wonderful thing in my mind.
August 27, 2015
This is a subject I have researched for years, as my travel through life has led me to, and away from many churches. I very vocally fall on the side that God created all of us as different and ultimately unique individuals. That we all have inherent traits...ie: blonde hair, blue eyes, freckles, heterosexual, homosexual, cleft pallet, high arches, black skin, brown skin, white.... All of these differences make up that patchwork of human society and should be celebrated not disparaged.
This book approaches the cry of many "religious" groups that quote and misquote the Bible in order to support their prejudice. These same people, 50 years ago, used similar passages to try to keep black people "in their place."
I find the use of GOD as a tool for prejudice to be obscene. This book and several others worthy or reading take apart the passages from the Bible most commonly quoted and reveal the truth of God's love for all of us.
Further, if you get out your Bible and look closely at the relationship Ruth and Naomi or King David and Jonathan you will see there are GAY COUPLES IN THE BIBLE.
The only reason I did not give this book four stars is that it focuses on Gay men and rarely mentions Gay woman.
This book approaches the cry of many "religious" groups that quote and misquote the Bible in order to support their prejudice. These same people, 50 years ago, used similar passages to try to keep black people "in their place."
I find the use of GOD as a tool for prejudice to be obscene. This book and several others worthy or reading take apart the passages from the Bible most commonly quoted and reveal the truth of God's love for all of us.
Further, if you get out your Bible and look closely at the relationship Ruth and Naomi or King David and Jonathan you will see there are GAY COUPLES IN THE BIBLE.
The only reason I did not give this book four stars is that it focuses on Gay men and rarely mentions Gay woman.
January 30, 2016
Weak and ambiguous arguments
The authors admit their limited knowledge of religious topics, but then try to show that scriptures which have an obvious reference to homosexual acts could be interpreted differently. This is their "proof" that the scriptures don't view homosexuals as sinful. They never show the errors of individuals who read the scriptures in the most common interpretation. They simply present alternate meanings as possible and validate their interpretations as being accepted by many scholars. They neglect to tell you that these "many scholars" are still quite a minority, especially among evangelicals.
On a positive note, the authors were very respectful toward anyone who disagreed with them. They did not attack those of a contrary opinion as homophobic or bigoted but seemed to sincerely want to persuade and not just attack.
The authors admit their limited knowledge of religious topics, but then try to show that scriptures which have an obvious reference to homosexual acts could be interpreted differently. This is their "proof" that the scriptures don't view homosexuals as sinful. They never show the errors of individuals who read the scriptures in the most common interpretation. They simply present alternate meanings as possible and validate their interpretations as being accepted by many scholars. They neglect to tell you that these "many scholars" are still quite a minority, especially among evangelicals.
On a positive note, the authors were very respectful toward anyone who disagreed with them. They did not attack those of a contrary opinion as homophobic or bigoted but seemed to sincerely want to persuade and not just attack.
March 31, 2015
Breaking down verses
This book analyzes the five verses most used in defense of homophobia in churches. Several times, the authors actually look at the original wording to show that it's unlikely that the Bible even really mentions homosexuality, let alone condemns it. The authors also show a verse that may be Jesus understanding and accepting gay people.
One draw back: the book focuses exclusively (and unnecessarily) on men, only mentioning gay women one time on the last page, despite the fact that all of these arguments stand for that group.
This book analyzes the five verses most used in defense of homophobia in churches. Several times, the authors actually look at the original wording to show that it's unlikely that the Bible even really mentions homosexuality, let alone condemns it. The authors also show a verse that may be Jesus understanding and accepting gay people.
One draw back: the book focuses exclusively (and unnecessarily) on men, only mentioning gay women one time on the last page, despite the fact that all of these arguments stand for that group.
April 9, 2016
Thoughtful
I am unsure how I feel about this book. It is a good reference of the Bible passages used to condemn homosexuality, but I do agree with the authors' saying that the Bible was written by men without mentioning that it was inspired by God.
I am unsure how I feel about this book. It is a good reference of the Bible passages used to condemn homosexuality, but I do agree with the authors' saying that the Bible was written by men without mentioning that it was inspired by God.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews