<p> Homosexuality (Page 1 of 14) Introduction  Recently, the Boy Scouts of America came out with the long awaited ruling on whether or not they would allow gay scouts within the Boy Scout organization.  After examining their long held position on this issue, they backed off and came out with the decision essentially to allow members of the Boy Scouts to be openly gay.  They drew a line in this process by saying that while scouts can be gay openly, the scout leaders cannot be openly gay in the organization.  Unfortunately, this is just another “domino to fall” in the transition of “official” attitude of our nation toward homosexuality.  This is just one of the latest examples of a fundamental shift in our country’s standards.  What was considered taboo previously is now mainstream; more than “an alternative” for some; it’s propagandized as required acceptance.  Times have certainly changed. Even the word “queer” has changed, just as the term “gay” changed over the past 50 years.  Once used as a slur against them, it is now widely embraced by gays, lesbians and bisexuals alike.  Some have taken the word and proudly turned it into a personal anthem, boasting “We’re queer, and we’re here. Get over it!” Persecution of the Politically Incorrect  The Bible’s view of homosexuality is definitely not politically correct. Homosexuality (Page 2 of 14)</p><p> Unfortunately, our society is becoming more and more driven by political correctness.  Will the Bible soon be considered hate speech by the moral-less majority? It already has. Specifically, look at Canada!  There is already significant social pressure being put on the American populace to accept homosexuality as normal and healthy.  Throughout the 1990s, several popular television programs have featured minor roles or guest appearances of homosexuals.  1997: The lead character of the sitcom Ellen “outed” herself, revealing that she was a lesbian.  Immediately, advertisers pulled out from sponsoring the show, leading to the sitcom’s cancellation.  However, since Ellen, several gay- and lesbian-themed television shows have been born—with many thriving in good ratings.  Anyone remember:  Will & Grace: close friendship of a homosexual and his heterosexual female sidekick.  Queer Eye for the Straight Guy: heterosexual men get fashion make-over tips from five homosexuals. st  Boy Meets Boy: 1 gay dating series; several men, including heterosexuals posing as homosexuals, compete for the affections of the same man.  It’s All Relative: “Bobby,” who comes from a traditional, close-knit, religious family, gets Homosexuality (Page 3 of 14) engaged to “Liz,” whose parents happen to be two gay men.  Queer as Folk: chronicled group of homosexual men, in addition to a lesbian couple raising a child.  We, as followers of Messiah, are routinely portrayed as bigots, narrow-minded idiots, hypocrites, and worse.  The social attitude of America is slowly being engineered to accept liberal sexual behavior while condemning and silencing those who disagree.  Since behavior follows belief, what is to stop our increasingly liberal society from acting on its silence- the-opposition attitude and becoming more and more harsh in its dealings with us?... Absolutely nothing!  In workplaces, many Bible believers are told to go through sensitivity training in favor of the LGBT community even though such “sensitivity training” is highly offensive to them. If they don't go, they can be fired.  And now… there are the lawsuits.  Will homosexuals attend churches for the purpose of asking pastors to perform a wedding, and then when they are refused, they sue that church?  Will homosexual advocates seek out specific businesses and ask to have a cake baked, a wedding photographed, or music played at a homosexual wedding, and then file a lawsuit when the business owners, holding to their religious convictions, refuse to comply?  It is already happening, and such legal attacks are on the increase; all with the endorsement of liberal Homosexuality (Page 4 of 14) politicians and their willing accomplices in the liberal media. More Redefinition of Marriage  Will the redefinition stop with homosexual marriage?  Human nature will push the envelope, to find new levels of permissibility, and to invent ways to justify our personal preferences and behaviors.  The United States Supreme Court has said that same- sex marriage is legal all across America.  Marriage has been profoundly redefined by legal precedent… not by popular vote.  So, what is to stop further redefinitions?  Pedophiles are now asking for rights, too, and they are using the same arguments initially presented by the homosexual movement decades ago.  Im many cases, they have also used the arguments of the racial discrimination from decades ago; flavored as a “civil right” for the homosexual.  Think about it; what about marriage between:  Immediate family members?  Plural marriages?  Marriage to dead relatives?  Temporary marriage?  Trial marriage?  Marriage to animals?  The possibilities are horrifying! The “Enlightened”  One of the arguments that some have concerns the definition and fundamental nature of homosexuality.  They see homosexuality as a sexual orientation: Homosexuality (Page 5 of 14)</p><p> Feelings of sexual attraction.  Limited to members of the same sex, typically by teens and adults.  Those of this opinion include:  Many in the medical profession.  Liberal religious communities.  NOTAs (those NOT Affiliated with a religious community).  Agnostics, Atheists, and the like.  Homosexuality seen as a trait that has a genetic cause.  It is discovered by the person rather than chosen.  It is also unchangeable in adulthood.  The medical community bases their beliefs on the findings of studies performed by human sexuality specialists.  Subsequently accepted by large therapeutic groups such as the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, etc.  Liberal religious communities typically base their beliefs on such studies and on a liberal interpretation of biblical passages.  NOTAs, Agnostics, Atheists, etc. follow the “so- called” scientific findings.  All of these groups generally consider heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual orientations to be both normal and natural.  Even governor “moonbeam” (Jerry Brown) signed a law that prohibits attempts via therapy to change the sexual orientation of patients under age 18; calling it “quackery”. Homosexuality (Page 6 of 14)</p><p> Within the conservative religious communities, homosexuality is commonly defined in terms of same- gender sexual behavior.  Most view it as a chosen activity that is changeable, perhaps with difficulty, through prayer and therapy.  Typically base their beliefs mainly on a conservative interpretation of some key biblical passages, and on the historical teachings of the Bible. Leviticus 18:22: You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.  The word for “abomination” here is Strong’s #08441 (“toe-ay-baw”), meaning “something disgusting (morally)”, an abhorrence; an abominable custom or thing); an abomination.  What is the prescribed penalty? Leviticus 20:13: If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.  Did you catch that? Yahweh says that this homosexual behavior is an abomination; worthy of death in His eyes!  Again, proponents of homosexual behavior claim it’s due to genetics, saying “He made me this way!”  After all, it homosexuality also exists in the animal world, doesn’t it?  Yes, it does… along with animals eating their young. Just because animals do it, doesn’t make it right.  Homosexuals will say that they are born the way they are and that it is a genetic orientation, and since they didn’t choose it, it cannot be wrong. Homosexuality (Page 7 of 14)</p><p> If that is the case, then why do identical twins with identical genetics not have uniformity of sexual orientation? This proves it is not just genetic.  Bottom line: Despite the efforts of some to claim “victimhood”, Yahweh does not create a person with homosexual desires.  A person may be born with a greater susceptibility to homosexuality, just as some people are born with a tendency to violence and other sins.  That does not excuse the person’s choosing to sin by giving in to sinful desires.  If a person is born with the orientation to lie, does that mean that lying is okay? Of course not.  Should lying-oriented-people demand national rights based on their orientation and its resulting practice? Of course not.  If a person is born with a greater susceptibility to anger/rage, does that make it right for him to give into those desires? Of course not!  The same is true with homosexuality. Yahshua’s Comments  Many claim Yahshua, in the NT, never addressed the issue; therefore He did not condemn it… actually, He did.  They claim His “silence” means He actually condoned the homosexual lifestyle.  Yet, He also didn’t directly address rape, incest, domestic violence or bestiality. Do we also conclude He condoned these? Homosexuality (Page 8 of 14)</p><p> When Yahshua discussed sexual morality, He had a very high standard, clearly affirming long-standing OT law. The woman caught in adultery was a prime example. John 8:10-11:  10 When Yahshua had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”  11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Yahshua said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  Yahshua also used the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as dramatic examples of Yahweh’s wrath.  For example, in Matthew 10:15, Mark 6:11 and Luke 10:12, He likened the destruction of unbelievers such that “it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.”  Yahshua confirmed the story of Sodom in Luke 17:29: but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Why? Because, among other things, their homosexual lifestyle! What the Bible Says  The Bible doesn't speak of homosexuality very often. But when it does, it condemns it as sin.  The liberal theologians and even critics of the Bible will say that the encounter of the angels meeting with Lot in Genesis 19 was a sin, not because of homosexual advances, but because the people were Homosexuality (Page 9 of 14) guilty of threatened gang rape or perhaps “just not nice”.  They also look to other passages to claim that Sodom’s real sin was that they didn’t provide for the needs of others. Ezekiel 16:49: Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  But what are we really told in the encounter? Genesis 19:1, 4-7:  1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.  4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.  5 And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”  6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,  7 and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!”  What was the verdict? Genesis 19:13: For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of Yahweh, and Yahweh has sent us to destroy it.”  Our faith allows Elohim to expresses Himself in His creation. Romans 1:17: For in it the righteousness of Homosexuality (Page 10 of 14) Elohim is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”  But for those who reject the Eternal, their perspective is quite different. Romans 1:18-21:  18 For the wrath of the Eternal is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  19 because what may be known of the Eternal is manifest in them, for the Eternal has shown it to them.  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and divinity, so that they are without excuse,  21 because, although they knew the Eternal, they did not glorify Him as the Eternal, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  We are told that the “wise” will twist the logic to uphold their own agenda. Romans 1:22-23:  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,  23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible Master into an image made like corruptible man… <continuing>  What did Yahweh do then? Romans 1:24-28:  24 Therefore the Eternal also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,  25 who exchanged the truth the Eternal for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature Homosexuality (Page 11 of 14) <themselves> rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  26 For this reason the Eternal gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  28 And even as they did not like to retain the Eternal in their knowledge, the Eternal gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;  What is the fate of those who would continue in this lifestyle? Jude 1:5, 7-8:  5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that Yahweh, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.  7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.  8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.  The abomination of homosexuality comes to both sides of the equation. I Timothy 1:9-10:  9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and Homosexuality (Page 12 of 14) insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,  10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,  What’s interesting is the actual Greek words used in verse 10. In the KJV, verse 10 begins with “For whoremongers <pornos>, for them that defile themselves with mankind <arsenokoites>.”  Pornos (Strong’s # 4205) means “a male prostitute”.  Arsenokoites (Strong’s # 733, “are-sen-oak-oi-tace”) means “a sodomite: an abuser of (that defiles) self with mankind.  What this verse is saying is that both sides of the homosexual act, the giver and the receiver, have sinned.  Neither of these two will be allowed to inherit the kingdom of the Eternal. I Corinthians 6:9:  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of the Eternal? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites. (NKJV)  Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of the Eternal? Be not deceived: neither fornicators <pornos>, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate <malakos>, nor abusers of themselves with mankind <arsenokoites>. (KJV) Homosexuality (Page 13 of 14)</p><p> Our existence, our being, our bodies, are to be kept clean and pure. I Corinthians 6:17-20:  17 But he who is joined to Yahweh is one spirit with Him.  18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.  19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from the Eternal, and you are not your own?  20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify the Eternal in your body and in your spirit, which are the Eternal’s. Conclusion  Just because someone is a homosexual, does not mean that we persecute them, call them names, sue them for not agreeing with us, or get laws passed to silence them.  Instead, we are to love them.  Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin, it needs to be repented of and forsaken by the sinner.  Our attitude must be to 1) don’t hate the homosexual, and 2) hate the homosexual act.  The Bible does not describe homosexuality as a “greater” sin than any other.  All sin is offensive to Yahweh.  We should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same as we would for anyone else.  We want everyone to repent and change; including gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders. Homosexuality (Page 14 of 14)</p><p> Homosexuality is just one of the many things listed in I Corinthians 6 that will keep a person from the kingdom of Yahweh.  We aren’t condemning homosexuals… We are informing them. We are witnessing to them!  We are, however, judging the homosexual act… as sin!  Yahweh has declared that homosexuality is a sin.  It isn’t our “preferences” we're declaring. It is Yahweh’s.  According to the Bible, Yahweh’s forgiveness is just as available to a homosexual as it is to an adulterer, idol worshipper, murderer, thief, etc.  Yahweh also promises the strength for victory over sin, including homosexuality, to all those who will believe in Yahshua the Messiah for their salvation. II Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Yahweh’s Spirit, through His Son, gives us the power to succeed. Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.</p>