So you're gonna ignore the reasons behind the tribe of Benjamin, are you? As well as Sodom and Gommorah? Rape, rape, rape. Battle of Gibeah, the whole tribe almost wiped out? Ring any bells?
(By the way, this does not mean you were lying, just that you were WRONG. Interesting point, you may want to examine it.)
I'm not interested in a language-off with you, either. It's not my gift. But greater minds than ours have worked those texts and I'm gonna believe them on this one.
Simply working from the English, your examination of Paul's text is both correct and incorrect. Granted, the condemnation of indecencies is clear. Given Paul's language regarding all sexuality, however (Better to marry than to burn, etc,) you have to stretch to assume that "indecencies" can be extrapolated to deal to all forms of homosexual sex. There is a difference between picking someone up off a street corner and a committed relationship, a difference Paul only barely explores in heterosexuals and does not consider in homosexuals. The Bible simply does not answer the questions you're asking directly, and your manner of handling the text is akin to using the story of Icarus (were it a sacred text) as a condemnation of spaceflight.
Your final paragraph is simplistic the point of naivete. Sexuality can be sinful. Pride can be sinful. Anger can be sinful. All can also be blessed gifts of God. Simplifying the universe so you can make black and white distinctions makes life easier, but that doesn't make them correct.
(By the way, this does not mean you were lying, just that you were WRONG. Interesting point, you may want to examine it.)
I'm not interested in a language-off with you, either. It's not my gift. But greater minds than ours have worked those texts and I'm gonna believe them on this one.
Simply working from the English, your examination of Paul's text is both correct and incorrect. Granted, the condemnation of indecencies is clear. Given Paul's language regarding all sexuality, however (Better to marry than to burn, etc,) you have to stretch to assume that "indecencies" can be extrapolated to deal to all forms of homosexual sex. There is a difference between picking someone up off a street corner and a committed relationship, a difference Paul only barely explores in heterosexuals and does not consider in homosexuals. The Bible simply does not answer the questions you're asking directly, and your manner of handling the text is akin to using the story of Icarus (were it a sacred text) as a condemnation of spaceflight.
Your final paragraph is simplistic the point of naivete. Sexuality can be sinful. Pride can be sinful. Anger can be sinful. All can also be blessed gifts of God. Simplifying the universe so you can make black and white distinctions makes life easier, but that doesn't make them correct.
Eschew Verbosity
Presbyterian Church (USA) passes Amendment 10-A.
11/05/2011 05:39:29 PM
- 1334 Views
What's the language? Did they at least TRY to give a doctrinal justification?
12/05/2011 02:10:46 AM
- 835 Views
Thank you for that rousing argument against married priests.
12/05/2011 03:36:51 AM
- 823 Views
Why ARE you letting women into the priesthood?
12/05/2011 04:16:50 AM
- 770 Views
Because Episcopalians don't listen to the Bible much.
12/05/2011 05:47:03 AM
- 713 Views
That's just fine as far as I'm concerned
12/05/2011 02:23:44 PM
- 711 Views
Yes, I suppose a church could go that route.
14/05/2011 07:38:02 AM
- 680 Views
I'm not attempting to impose a dichotomy on the Bible.
14/05/2011 03:25:30 PM
- 739 Views
I don't even know what following the Bible in its entirety means.
14/05/2011 09:09:10 PM
- 913 Views
As an exercise, I tried to think of how I would justify allowing homosexuals as clergy.
14/05/2011 04:19:43 PM
- 718 Views
Thanks (I'm actually OK with women priests though).
12/05/2011 07:09:11 AM
- 791 Views
There's ample precedent for female religious leaders, even within the bible.
12/05/2011 06:51:05 AM
- 822 Views
Since when is Moses' society the be-all end all?
12/05/2011 07:12:41 PM
- 701 Views
Since never, which is why I referenced five other eras you completely ignored.
14/05/2011 01:11:30 AM
- 803 Views
They did so, via negativa.
12/05/2011 04:22:17 PM
- 861 Views
Sorry for the delay, particularly since it looks like I'll be spending a fair amount of time here.
14/05/2011 12:31:33 AM
- 659 Views
Your church has a constitution?!
12/05/2011 03:36:41 AM
- 723 Views
My Church has a congress! *NM*
12/05/2011 03:37:52 AM
- 365 Views
Haha no way! *NM*
12/05/2011 03:46:32 AM
- 319 Views
Well, we have one group of laity and one of bishops, so it is only mildy utter chaos. *NM*
12/05/2011 05:51:09 AM
- 343 Views
I'm happy to hear this, personally. I also wonder how you reconcile this with the Bible.
12/05/2011 04:11:31 AM
- 907 Views
Every direct reference to homosexuality in the Bible is a reference to rape.
12/05/2011 04:12:43 PM
- 738 Views
Every single word that you wrote in your response is complete bullshit.
12/05/2011 05:50:07 PM
- 849 Views
Knock off your eisegesis, try some exegesis
12/05/2011 07:02:45 PM
- 790 Views
I'm trying to figure out just what your "gifts" are, because I don't see any.
12/05/2011 07:30:39 PM
- 761 Views
There are cases in which hypocrisy is far better than the alternatives.
12/05/2011 10:04:32 PM
- 834 Views
Hypocrisy is better than, say, setting gays on fire, yes.
12/05/2011 10:10:40 PM
- 795 Views
My statement is that, from a pragmatic point of view, hypocrisy shouldn't be discouraged too much.
13/05/2011 10:05:39 PM
- 801 Views
Oh, is that how we're playing this, then?
13/05/2011 06:29:31 PM
- 757 Views
I'm not playing. I'm pointing out some glaring errors on your part.
13/05/2011 07:25:08 PM
- 678 Views
The Bible says what it says. The problem... people like to tell us just what else it's saying.
13/05/2011 05:31:29 PM
- 700 Views
You don't reconcile... you pick the parts you like and adjust the rest to suit you.
13/05/2011 09:33:54 PM
- 661 Views
Another example...
12/05/2011 09:19:52 AM
- 654 Views
If you claim to follow the entire Bible, then you are completely correct.
12/05/2011 06:04:38 PM
- 631 Views
On the contrary, this move will take some butts out of the seats.
12/05/2011 07:16:22 PM
- 692 Views
We both know that isn't the case
12/05/2011 07:55:41 PM
- 799 Views
Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
12/05/2011 05:33:49 PM
- 760 Views
No Protestant denomination has added so much as a word to the Bible
12/05/2011 05:58:16 PM
- 638 Views
So, everyone hates Judith, then?
12/05/2011 06:40:11 PM
- 699 Views
The Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Churches accept Judith as part of Scripture.
12/05/2011 07:51:27 PM
- 675 Views
Does the Eastern Orthodox Church also segregate deuterocanonical works like Roman Catholicism does?
14/05/2011 02:19:03 AM
- 981 Views
The Eastern Church bases everything on the Septuagint.
14/05/2011 02:34:41 AM
- 726 Views
That sounds appealing, and makes sense.
14/05/2011 02:44:56 AM
- 748 Views
Oh, I just enjoy calling Protestants "heretics" to remind them not everyone agrees with them.
14/05/2011 03:25:42 AM
- 685 Views
Re: Cool cool. I have a question on a semi-related note, about Protestant Gospels
12/05/2011 08:52:48 PM
- 709 Views
The NIV is terrible. The NASB has the best translation I have found (of the NT, at least).
12/05/2011 10:43:58 PM
- 846 Views
I find this really weird, to be honest
13/05/2011 05:48:28 AM
- 718 Views
Well, it wasn't just Athanasius. But yes, we are lucky in that respect. *NM*
13/05/2011 06:32:48 AM
- 301 Views
Athanasius's list reflected the victory of Pauline Christianity
13/05/2011 02:52:53 PM
- 676 Views
There's a school of thought that says that's a strong vindication of Athanasius.
14/05/2011 02:37:49 AM
- 616 Views