The last word:
There are many web sites arguing for and against the recognition of same sex relationships and same sex marriage. There are several web sites supporting same sex marriage that are authored by persons claiming to be Christian. Some of these web sites will quote the same scripture references as are quoted below however their argument will be loosely based on the scriptural context being a taboo on temple prostitution, rather than same sex relationships of a lasting nature between consenting couples. This web site provides scriptural references that state that same sex sexual acts are an abomination. An abomination is something that is disgusting, abhorrent, or repugnant.
Western countries have recently been faced with a dilemma concerning same sex relationships. Prior to 1970 western laws considered same sex behaviour to be illegal although it was rarely prosecuted in the near preceding years. In some eastern countries same sex behaviour is still illegal and in some of those countries the punishment is severe. Since the 1970s many states and countries have progressively decriminalised same sex behaviour and some other types of previously considered abnormal sexual behaviour in favor of privacy. At that time the argument was based on what you did in your own home was private as long as it did not hurt anyone or the state. Since then such behaviour has spilled out of the home and onto cinema and television screens with censors allowing it under various ratings and under the argument of free speech. Proponents of same sex relationships are now seeking the same privileges and rights as heterosexual relationships.
Our laws change over time along with our society, and knowledge and technology which has further impacts on society. Sometimes laws are relaxed and sometimes they are tightened depending on a range of circumstances. Some time ago de facto relationships had no bearing in law and the offspring had no right to inheritance. Some laws were changed to allow protection for those under recognised de facto relationships. Some states and countries allowed civil unions for heterosexual relationships so that certain concerns of religions could be bypassed as far as the couple and state were concerned. Previously only a few designated professions such as ministers of religion, magistrates and sea captains could solemnize marriages and even these had to be aware of the demands of the law concerning licenses and registration. Now some states and countries allow civil celebrants to perform the ceremonies. Some countries allow the bride and groom to undergo whatever ceremony they like but the marriage is not recognised unless they present to the registry office. What was once a fairly simple thing internationally is now quite a mess. Imagine a same sex couple recognised in some USA states, the UK or New Zealand trying to register into a hotel in Tehran or Riyadh as a married couple.
There are several Bible verses that indicate that homosexuality and homosexual acts are not good. The verses portray a major incident with dramatic consequences, a couple of laws against homosexual acts and punishment for breaking them and a warning against sexual immorality. Some of these verses are as follows:
Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom--both young and old--surrounded the house. They called to Lot,Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.
If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them.
While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house,Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.
Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made.
He (Jehoshaphat) rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
The incident in Genesis occurred before the ten commandments were given to Israel and before the Levitical law was given to the Israelites by Moses that would set them apart from the nations around them. There were various tribal laws or customs in existence and there are instances of these in Genesis. Lot knew that what the men of Sodom wanted to do was wicked, in that it was morally bad and disgusting. Genesis 14:23 suggests that Abraham treated the king of Sodom with disdain and wanted nothing to do with him. God got rid of Sodom and Gomorah by raining burning sulphur on them and the surrounding plain. The incident in Judges led to a civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel in the promised land which resulted in the tribe of Benjamin being nearly wiped out, and all because they supported the behaviour of the wicked men over the request for justice in accordance with the law.
As well as the law against homosexual sex there are also laws in the Bible against fornication and adultery and with similar penalties. There are many other laws covering all manner of unrighteous behaviour. It looks like these particular laws are a test. A test for those willing to break the law, and a test for the judges at the time. There are many tests in the Old Testament. Every law was a test of sorts and on the whole nobody except Jesus was able to live an unblemished life. Only Jesus was perfect. Everyone else has a bent tendency. We have all sinned and fallen short of the mark. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The author James Allen said As he thinks, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.
Corinthians says the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Corinthians warns of deception and lists practises that are unrighteous and that will prevent someone inheriting the kingdom of God.
Romans speaks of a descent into depravity when we no longer acknowledge God.
Some children are raised with various degrees of discipline and encouragement to behave in a normal, right, correct lawful manner. Some children are raised in a permissive manner that encourages lawlessness and is a deviation to what is considered normal, right and correct. Likewise our age of permissiveness has allowed unbridled challenges to what is lawful. This challenge has been going on for over fifty years and due to perverted thinking has led to laws being changed to accommodate or decriminalise deviate behaviour. It appears there is little personal or public restraint. Personal restraint comes from within and is a response to our conscience. From what Christ said, its what is in the heart that matters. Proverbs 4:23 says Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
What do we put in our children's hearts? What do we as parents and teachers continually think, meditate, dream and talk about? What thoughts reverberate or find resonance in our own hearts and minds? What like-minded people do we seek? What themes stir us? It seems that our collective conscience is being tainted by an ever growing stream of depravity.
We may have all been born with a particular bent with varying tendencies to do one or more of the things which are spoken against in Biblical, common and civil law. Nobody is perfect, apparently. It is the moral duty of parents (grandparents, uncles, neighbours) and teachers to correct unlawful or deviate behaviour when it is manifested. It is the moral responsibility of our parents and teachers to warn their charges against immoral and unlawful behaviour. It should be the moral responsibility of parents and teachers to discipline their charges accordingly and the moral responsibility of the legislature and courts to allow parents and teachers to discipline within reason. However, perverted thinking has led to laws which makes this difficult. Sometimes perverted judges interpret a law to suit their own bent thinking blaming their decision or interpretation on slack legislators.
Some churches have deviated so far from the guidelines or boundaries of the law and warnings contained in scripture that they ordain practising homosexuals as priests who then go on to encourage like behaviour. It seems that the male shrine prostitutes are back in business. If one was to draw any meaning from the assessments of Asa's and Jehoshaphat's reigns and apply it to the church it is that practising homosexuals and known sexual deviates should be excluded from church office. If they are accepted as a church office holder then its a good indication that, as suggested by 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, that church has no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Why would the leadership of a particular church encourage or condone a practise that prevents someone from inheriting or entering into the kingdom of God? It seems to me that such leaders have been captured by the enemy and are spruiking or touting either unwittingly or knowingly for the Devil. Some, such as Bishop Spong, have even been given unwarranted coverage on the Australian Broadcast Commission television. Those in the know would recognise them as wolves in sheep's clothing. There are many smarmy, serpentine servants of Satan seeking to gain control over gullible people or those who are unable to rightly divine the word of God and can be swayed by smooth talking peddlers of pederasty and other deviate behaviours. There really is no excuse for any church to allow this. Has God said?
said the Devil and then he goes and adds his own words and suckered the humans into sin. Has Moses said?
or Has Paul said?
say the religious proponents of same sex relationships and then they add their own words based on their fantasizing of Egyptian and Greek temple prostitution. Some of these churches have the audacity to call themselves a progressive church when their doctrine is regressive all the way back to days before Asa and Jehoshaphat.
You may have heard or seen news reports of celebrities saying that Jesus would have supported gay marriage. Now I can't speak for Jesus and nor can they. But it seems to me that Jesus has already spoken. When challenged by pharisees on other issues Jesus sometimes said What do the scriptures say.
Gay supporters do not like some scriptures and they refer to them a clobber verses.
The last word: