Cuz' the Bible Tells Us So?

Let's begin the week on a completely thought-provoking note, shall we? Although it's not Sunday (or Saturday for the Jewish Sabbath), today we are going to church/temple -- sort of. Not for religious inspiration, but to examine the arguments surrounding the Bible and homosexuality -- particularly with regard to the issue of marriage.

Right off the top, know that I disagree 100% with those who swear on their Bibles that loving and having sexual relations with someone of the same sex is an "abomination." The God/Spiritual Being-Energy I believe exists is not going to shove anyone who LOVES in pure heart into a sweltering hell-hole. If so, then that is not a Being, an Energy, I can accept.


Conventional, traditional, marriage has never been a "sacred" religious-spiritual union/ritual in totality. I do believe in real love, and I do believe many marriages spring, sprout and shout from honest love and compatibility. Nevertheless, history presents endless examples of arranged, loveless marriages created for mutual financial, territorial, political gain. It is an abject folly to regard "marriage" as a pure covenant of love "under God" when anyone with a brain knows that it is (and has been) in every way a mixed bag of convenience for many. Or the need to legitimize an heir to maintain control over a country, empire and what-not.


For those who believe it is simply "wrong" to allow same-sex partners to stand before a judge, minister, rabbi, etc. to be "joined together" with the blessings of God or Allah or what-and-whomever is the primary voice of a religious path, then please back away and realize how often such a mockery of the religion-based stance behind marriage has taken place over the centuries - and to this day (witness Prince Albert of Monaco and his hostage bride as the latest high-profile example). 


I don't wish to fight with those who have a deep repulsion with the reality of homosexuality. I want to provide an honest balance on the subject by providing access to information on this very hot topic through the following links, ending with an interesting section of the Christian Bible concerning marriage in general that is ignored and/or overlooked.


Here is a slightly waffling, yet thought-provoking article on the subject of Marriage and the Church: 

Marriage via the Bible

Okay. That was interesting, wasn't it?

Next, let's tackle the constant bickering, differing age-old classic Leviticus battle. Why not look at what those who constantly, endlessly use TWO LINES (verses) of many a crazy-filled list of do's and don't OR ELSE are always ignoring when they bang the drum of the "sin" of homosexuality in general? C'mon. I know you can handle it! One more time....

The Infamous Quotes (Debated author - supposedly Moses via God)


Pleeeez all yee anti-gayers. Get real with your much-touted belief of every word in the Bible. If you're gonna use two short verses out of endless pages to slam, kill, deny and shrill at homosexuals, then ya' best get on the same page with the rest of those level-headed edicts, right? If not, then, pray tell, what the hell?


Finally, on the subject of marriage in general, the following is fascinating. The Apostle Paul decided that the Corinthians needed some wise guidance as they were out of control. I have high-lighted in bold the best parts for everyone's viewing (or eeewing) pleasure.


1 Corinthians 7: 1-16 

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.  But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.  The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.  Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  I say this as a concession, not as a command.  I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.  Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.  But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.  But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.  To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.  And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.  For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.  But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.  How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?


Okayyyyy. Divorce, but don't divorce. Marry if you can't keep your zipper zipped or your thong un-ripped. But, gee, if you are like me (sayeth he), you could be filled with contradicting versions of insanity.


Huh?


And this kind of nonsense is what is dividing the human race?


Honest to GOD, isn't it a disgrace?


EVERYONE is entitled to marry for whatever their reason may be. Just don't bring a biased, pious argument to the issue when the very same scriptures and cultural fixtures are less than heaven-sent. 


More on this subject in the future......