Is homosexuality a sin? It’s an age-old question, and there are people on both sides of the debate, each quoting their Bibles. How do we know who’s right? What would Jesus do if he were here with us today? Jesus never said anything about homosexuality, so can we really say?
I’d like to propose that we can. Perhaps we wont be able to settle the debate over what the Bible says about homosexuality (least of all from one little blog post!) but I think there is one thing we can be sure of — Jesus loves every one of us.
In fact Jesus was especially known for loving the very people that the religious people of his time had condemned and cast out. Let’s consider some facts:
There has been story after story in the news of LGBT teens committing suicide because of bullying. We have also seen a surge of news stories of kids being harassed, threatened, and even physicality assaulted. No one’s child should have to endure that. No one should feel afraid, hated and rejected like that. These are not just a few shocking exceptional cases either.
As their voices have begun to be heard, we have seen story after story of how gay and transgender kids have felt hated, at times even hating themselves. We have heard how life for them can be a living hell, so bad that it makes some of them want to end their lives.
That really should be a wake-up call for us as Christians.
Regardless of where we stand on the rightness or the wrongness of being gay, none of that matters much when people are dying. We can argue over what the Bible says about homosexuality, but one thing is utterly clear: Jesus clearly teaches us to love people, not to hate them, not to make them feel hated, and not to stand by while that is happening.
From the perspective of the New Testament there simply is no room for doubt on this. We know exactly where Jesus stands. He stands on the side of the least, the condemned, the vulnerable.
John’s Gospel tells the story of a women caught in adultery who was brought before Jesus. The religious leaders say to him, “The law commands that she should be stoned to death, what do you say?” Jesus bends down and draws with his finger in the dirt, and then says to them “Let the one who is without sin throw the first stone.” One by one they all leave until he is there alone with the woman. Jesus says to her “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
Now, many preachers are quick to point out that Jesus next says to her: “Go and leave your life of sin.” But the real point here is that even though Jesus did consider adultery sinful, he still was the one who defended her. In fact, he was the only one there who was “without sin” and yet he did not cast a stone and did not condemn. So again, even if we think homosexuality is wrong, we know what Jesus would do in our shoes. He has drawn a line in the sand, and we need to decide what side of that line we will be on.
Will we be on the side of Jesus and the one who is being condemned and threatened? Or will we stand with the religious accusers on the other side of that line? Maybe we were not the ones actually throwing those stones, but did we stand on the side of the accused and condemned and actively defend them like Jesus did? Did we actively defend and love “the least of these”? Because Jesus says that the way we treat them is the way we treat him.
Jesus never says a word about homosexuality, but there was one kind of sin that he spoke out against all the time. There was one kind of sin that got Jesus really mad. This was the sin of religious people who shut out those in need of mercy. This was the sin of people who used the Bible as a weapon.
You hear Jesus saying this on page after page of the gospels. Why? Because this type of sin has the potential to damage people like few other things do. It is particularly damaging because they claim to be speaking for God. So if we really want to speak out against sin, we as Christians need to speak out against the kind of sin that Jesus did, and side with the kinds of folks he did.
What this all comes down to is we, as Christians, acting like Jesus. It’s about discerning what Jesus would want us to do right now, and the answer is clear: We need to change our priorities and focus on the critical issue of communicating love and acceptance to people — especially the very people our society so often ostracizes, condemns and rejects. Because that is exactly what Jesus did.
Jesus was known for hanging out with “sinners” and was frequently accused of being a sinner himself because of it. But that did not stop him because he cared more about those people than he cared about being judged.
If we want to follow Jesus, then we need to have that same reputation of loving to a fault. We need to be so radically accepting that we are misunderstood and judged like Jesus. If we really do love Jesus, then we need to love like he did, so much so that it seems “scandalous” in the eyes the religious folks of our day, just like it did in his day.
We have spent so much time being “balanced” in the other direction, so much time worrying about “giving the wrong impression” that it is time to shift our lopsided boat the other way. Because as long as our priority is in looking moral rather than in showing compassion and grace to those on the outside, we simply do not have the priorities of Jesus. And when we do not reflect Christ, we are giving the wrong impression.
Now you may have noticed that I didn’t ever say what I thought about whether homosexuality was wrong or right. I didn’t say because this is not about me and what I think. It’s about us as Christians learning to care about what Jesus cares about. This is not about gay rights. It is about about human rights, and that starts with the least. It is about us having the courage to stand with those who are vulnerable. It is about us saying “no” to hate, even when it is done in the name of God — no, especially when it is done in the name of God. It’s about having the guts to draw that line in the sand like Jesus did. Even when that means facing that mob ourselves.
So let’s stand alongside of LGBT individuals. Let’s let them know they are loved, they are welcomed, they are not alone. I think when we do, we will find that Jesus has been there with them for a long time now. It’s time we joined him.
Filed under: Views & Voices
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who cares? what does zeus think about homosexuality?
Jeses loves everyone
Exactly – who cares? What does Spaghetti Monster think? ;)
Zeus supports its **Points at Prince Ganymede**
The Jesus myth was invented by Constantine as the First Solution to the Jewish problem, so if you are going to push this genocidal myth don’t cherry pick it. Do you actually think that a god sent an angel to fuck a virgin who birthed the bastard son of that god? Do you actually think that this mythical bastard son of that god died for the sins of hundreds of millions of genocidal Jesus freaks who murdered, enslaved and tortured hundreds of millions of people in the name of that bastard son of a god? GROW THE FUCK UP
Jessica ….re read everything you sound like someone who gets offended at the drop of a hat. Saying fuck in every line doesn’t make you sound cool at all.
Wow Jessica. Your rant is ugly.
There actually never a Jesus. There were several prophets at that time and all of their sayings were combined and attributed to Jesus. Jesus was invented as a marketing scheme for the new State Religion of Rome–Christianity. There is no god, no big spirit in the sky overseeing our actions. Free yourself from the great lie. Reject the institutions of hate and oppression that gives power to impotent men getting rich while indulging their appetites, convincing you that you are weak and unworthy. Embrace reason.
There’s definitely room for God and Gay in your life.
http://matthewvines.tumblr.com/post/19110639328/the-gay-debate-the-bible-and-homosexuality
I think its proven that there actually was a man named jesus. I just just think the walking on water bit and all other magical stuff is a symbolic gesture. I am not religous and im not offended by those who are, but to ask what jesus would think? Ask him!
Btw I’m not christian, I am a Pagan I worship the earth and nature and those two things are things i can prove exist.
I don’t really care what a ficticious character thinks about my sexuality.
Whos he then ?
Well said jessica n
Alice r swearing isnt the question is it. Maybe u should read b4 posting a comment der
The f word is a swear word you re read it.
She said it twice Once should have been sufficient.
I’m a deacon in the Presbyterian church & I’m gay. Like some of you I believe God doesn’t condemn us. The Presbyterian church welcomes all people. Many of us have had very bad experience with some churches. The Evangelical movement doesn’t speak for all Christians. There are non-judgmental people who love God and all people reguardless of gender or orientation. What you choose to believe is what is in your heart. I chose Jesus.
Good for you Wendy.
As a Christian, and an Lgbt supporter, it sickens me how both sides of the extreme – far right extremist Christians and hardcore atheists – attack one another and use slander to belittle one another. Seeing some of the comments here are grotesque. People need to learn that hate only spreads hate. So very sad.
Who cares? What would Buddha, Socrates, Santorum, Muhammad, Abu Hamza, Chris Prater, L Ron Hubbard think about homosexuality? It doesn’t matter what they might think, it’s irrelevant. There will be Jesus folks who like us and those who don’t, so can we exit the religious debating and focus on advancing our rights?
@ People who say “who cares?” : you don’t seem to understand that this debate does, in fact, matter – how do you think our “advancing of rights” will happen when you have extremist Christians who vote against Lgbt legislature?
Would it make any difference… Really?
Jesus was a common name among Hebrew people. There is NO!!!! proof
that the jesus of the bible ever existed. None what so ever!!!!
@ Chuck : how do you think equality of marriage will ever become a broader national concept and adopted universally unless we can show the error of the ways of hate mongrers within the far right? It’s going to take debate and discussion on a copious amount of topics, and religion is one of the main key points that’s prevented equality. So until more people can be brought to see the error of their ways, how can you expect marriage equality?
it makes alot of difference, ask yourself this question, the TERM homosexual is fairly new to modern day world, what language would Jesus speak?
actually, i have seen one verse in the bible that says something about homosexuality, i won’t say it though because i’ll probably get it wrong lolz. but i agree, he loves us either way as long as we try our best to live our lives without sin, and love is certainly not a sin no matter what the gender :P
yes it will make a difference CHUCK. how about that?. Either you’re too naive or just being comic, i don’t know. @jessica Naomi: yeah, I understand that you don’t believe Jesus..but why such hate? when everything that is just being said in this article is all about love? That is the point here, yeah? how people make opinions thru their gibberish and trash talk without cosidering other peoples thoughts and feelings. And I bet you’ll say you don’t care. Then you will be no different than any other haters. For the main reason that you DON’T KNOW HOW TO RESPECT.
I’m not a Christian. Whether or not Jesus really existed doesn’t matter. What matters is that people who believe in him should try their hardest to be like him. Sadly they don’t.
its funny that anti-lgbt sentiments are always assumed to come from the christian movement, when in fact, there are plenty of atheists that are against lgbt equality for some pretty idiotic reasons. I personally don’t follow christianity, or Jesus per se, but just because a few very vocal hate mongers claim christianity, doesn’t mean everyone who claims it is bad or against us. You cant use reason to fight delusion, nor can you use faith to fight non belief.
Exactly. Spread love, not hate. You can completely disagree with someone’s beliefs yet still love them while not being mean. Don’t stoop down to an attacker’s level, but by all rights defend yourself and your stances.
Respect goes two ways. What I’ve found is that religious people expect people to respect their beliefs and feelings even though they don’t respect the thoughts and feelings of the non-religious. Being the atheist that I am, I can tell you that atheists, agnostics, humanists, and other non-believers are far more pro-gay than any religious group. Therefore, I care about what they think. Religious groups, especially Christians and their 38,000+ denominations that cannot agree on what to believe and cannot even prove their gods exist, why should I, or anybody for that matter, care what they think.
Did the angry people even read it? They aren’t saying “Jesus said it was okay so it is” what they’re saying is, for the people who believe, Jesus never spoke negatively about homosexuals because he never said anything about homosexuals. Why is the Jesus argument even on here? This is about support for all LGBT people… I don’t even really feel the focus on religion. As a non-believe, I smiled at this article.
EXACTLY!
I approve :3
Many interpretations of the Bible, and adults who choose to join churches that preach sin and damnation and bigotry and unfairness need man-up to the fact that they’ve chosen that path. Tired of people defending bigoted religious views as if you can’t choose another path. The same folks in my circle who argue that others should make good choices and pull themselves out of poverty and ignorance claim that they have no power over how they translate the Bible. Hypocrisy.
It doesn’t/shouldn’t make a difference WHAT is mentioned in the Bible or if “Jesus” said anything about homosexuality or not. The government should get out of the marriage business anyway and allow churches (Muslim, Jewish, Christian denominations) carry out whatever ceremonies they want to join two people. Each religion only identifies their own god as being the “real” one anyway and consider marriages being carried out by others to false gods.
Just an aside here, but most people who call themselves “Christians” have never even cracked open the Bible except to read the passages that sound nice and ignore the rest of it. READ THE WHOLE THING… Especially the parts that are disturbing. Take notes throughout and then decide if you’re truly a Christian or not.
I want to say that he doesn’t think anything about it because he’s dead. But since it’s currently impossible to prove if Heaven exists, and thus that particular Jesus, I have no idea.
Definitely christian. pro gay anti abortion, and praying all yall non christians come to know the real living jesus christ and the holy ghost. also praying for my religious brethren to stop their hate and be true lamps of light unto the world. for the record i used to be majorly bigoted until i came to know jesus
FEw need mercy more than the fictims of those that have already used the wepon of self-rightousness and religion to cause pain.
my aunt asked me the other night “what do you think is the worlds problem why nations battle and there is neverending hate?” I answered to the best of my knowledge. She almost appreciated it but I begged to know her opinion. The answer? EGO my friends. The mere fact we all have different one. We will never tire ourselves to accept things we are ignorant about, and only few will admit they are. I am ignorant to many things in this world but I want to make a difference. It does hurt my ego to hear someone say things that are against my beliefs and values, but I don’t care. I would like to learn and learn more things. I understand the opinions of other people here who are irritated by the article..but like anything that is abused and misused..like say for example..with WORDS??DEMOCRACY becomes really disgusting..the whole point of the article is already ruined by such grotesque comments.
I fucking hate this shit so much.
1) Jesus was probably a product of his time and would have condemned homosexuality. Stop trying to revise Christianity. Start rejecting it.
2) I don’t need fucking mercy. I need people to get off my back.
I´m not a Christian,but a descendant of converted jews and a taoist but even the mainstream gospels (some Apocrypha,like the Gospel of the Ebionim and Gosple of the Hebrews,Mary Magdalenes´s,etc are way more interesting and more legitimate,in my opinion )have a passage where he accepts the money donated by an eunuch,which is always neglected when it comes to tolerance towards outcasts by mainstream morality,specially at that time,when even speaking to women in the streets was forbidden and considered unfit.
Btw Just Cause I’m pagan doesn’t mean I hate Jesus nor do i Need mercy. What I hate is his stupid fan club that can’t even follow his rules including the one where you supposed to dump your possessions leave you family and live the life of a homeless wanderer to preach his real and true teachings not shunning anyone whether they be a prostitute, poor, wealthy or gay!
For those who claim people are editing the bible you guys best do your research most of the stuff in it was written a century after most of the important people died books were removed an burned cause emperor Constantine didn’t like them and the knowledge was too dangerous, And then it was edited again by King James.
Shouldnt care about what people think…
Bam! Roasted.
Why can’t we all just love and tolerate? Regardless of religion or sexuality, just love your fellow humans, and know other peoples beliefs don’t effect you.
Jesus loves us regardless of our sexuality. He’ll never turn his backs on us and Christians who say otherwise are obviously misunderstanding Christ. As a proud Christian and a lesbian, I assure you all that the hateful attacks towards us all are NOT from God, but from evil. Jesus would NEVER hurt any of us. Period. I assure you all that when these things happen, Jesus is angry at those people and hurts for us.