How to answer accusations that Bible is Homofobic?

[devonsams]

Hello, I often listen some anger gays saying that bible Abomines Homossexuality at Leviticus 18:22 and they say; “That time Homossexuality was punished by Stoning” and some of them say they would never be christians because the bible is intolerant with homossexuality then they avoid to know the Church and condemn the Gospels.

How do i answer these accusations?

 

[Warandpeace]

Stand true to the faith by hating the sin and loving the sinner. sigh

Catholics believe that the homosexual act is inherently evil. Gay people are required to be celibate.

 

[Nimzovik]

Ask “Why they are bibliophobe.”

 

[mt77061]

This is probably not really the answer to the question, but it is some of my perspective that I shared with a gay friend. He is Deist, not Catholic or Christian, though.

A lot of different churches enjoy touting themselves as being “gay-friendly” or kind to gays, etc. But historically, only the Roman Catholic Church has had the largest number of homosexuals as members.

Also, many passages in the Bible can be used to preach a hateful message. But I look at what Jesus says in the Gospels about people we could perceive as homosexuals. From the King James Version of the Bible, this is as close as we can find to what Jesus would say about homosexuals, " And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John [the Baptist], ‘What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.’" (St. Matthew 11: 7-13)

This passage seems to suggest that Jesus knew men clothed in soft raiment lived in king’s houses, but that was more a statement of fact than a statement of condemnation.

Also see St. Matthew 11:16 - 30.

 

[FaithInTheSon]

Tell the truth. Homosexuality is a sin. The bible is not scared of homosexuals it just disapproves. Homophobic is just as derrogatory as calling someone a f----t. The Bible tells us the truth.

Tell them the truth, which is that we are all terrible sinners so they will be right at home. Christ will still love and forgive all they have to do is accept His help.

If they cannot accept that they are wrong and refuse to accept the Lord… there is really nothing you can do.

Remind them that all sin is wrong and most of us sin every day. They are not the only ones.

I am periodically called a homophobe. I don’t understand why. I am not afraid of homosexuals. I just don’t approve. I view them as sick people.

 

[RPRPsych]

Hello, I often listen some anger gays saying that bible Abomines Homossexuality at Leviticus 18:22 and they say; “That time Homossexuality was punished by Stoning” and some of them say they would never be christians because the bible is intolerant with homossexuality then they avoid to know the Church and condemn the Gospels.

How do i answer these accusations?

The trick is to turn the tables on them, and explain that “homophobia” is a very modern concept.

Worse than that, it’s not even a scientific one. In technical parlance, a “phobia” is an excessive and irrational fear of a particular object or situation, accompanied by marked avoidance; if the situation has to be endured, it is done with great difficulty and a high level of anxiety.

This definition makes a mockery of the concept of homophobia being applied to the Bible, because the Bible does not fear homosexuality; rather, it views it as one of many grave sins.

At the time when Leviticus was written (c. 1400-1200 BC; scholars have differences on the date of the Exodus - though the final compilation may have taken place a little later), the concept of an afterlife and of a direct, particular judgment by God was not yet part of Judaism. Instead, rewards and punishments were seen as being dealt out in our earthly lives. Therefore, capital punishment was used only for the gravest of sins: not only homosexuality, but also adultery, incest, bestiality, murder, performing child sacrifices (a custom common among Israel’s neighbours, the Canaanites), idolatry, making false prophecies (Many of our “separated brethren” conveniently forget that last one! ), being an unruly and abusive son, and even working on the Sabbath (try implementing those last two today!) In all these cases, the accusation had to be proved beyond doubt before any sentence was carried out.

Under the new and eternal Covenant of Jesus Christ, we know and believe that God will judge every one of us, according to our faith in Him, and according to our deeds. Therefore, it is no longer binding upon a Christian society or community to execute capital sentences for all these offences, though they remain sinful. (There are some Protestants who believe that we still have to; this is called “Theonomy”, and it is a heresy not taught by the Catholic Church.) As an example of what we are called to do, in the face of a persistent, practicing homosexual Church member, you could refer to Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5, where excommunication - a disciplinary exclusion from the Church community - rather than execution is the norm.

Summing up:

1. Homophobia is a modern concept,
2. Even if we accept the validity of homophobia, the Bible is not homophobic; it contains a moral code that condemns all offences against God and man,
3. The laws of Leviticus must be read in the context of ancient Israel’s history, as well as the stage at which their theology was at the time,
4. Verses from the Bible cannot be taken in isolation and used as proof, unless you are an inspired author (such as the Evangelists); the Bible must be read in totality, including the New Testament.

Good luck!

 

[gxensen]

I’m curious with this, too.

How does the Bible, or the RCC, define “Homosexuality?”

 

[Regina_Love]

I talked to a homosexual man who was picketing our Church for being anti-gay. I explained that God created man, and understands the best way for us to live. A way that prospers us mentally, spiritually, and physically. The Bible preaches against the homosexual life style because it is damaging to those who live it. I explained that God loves them enough to tell them the truth. The Catholic Church, loves them enough to teach the truth, even when attacked for it. A true friend wants what is best for you, not what is popular. He put away his sign, and gave me a hug.

Many young boys have suffered from GID, Gender Identity disorder. Between 9 months and 3 years old, little boys need to seperate their gender identity from their mom, and transfer it to a male role model, their dad. Many boys don’t have dads or a man to role model after. Literally, to bond with them, and teach them how to be a man. In fact they may hear negative comments about men that make them fear they will lose their mother’s love if they become one! GID is when they get stuck in this phase as a toddler, and fail to transfer to their proper gender. Notice how some gay men lisp, and talk like a baby. They think, “I’ve always been this way!” meaning it must be genetic, so that’s how I’m supposed to be! Instead they should be open to the possiblity that they are truely a Man. They have a noble calling from God.

Some gay men have become homosexual because they were molested by predators in their youth. They have learned a conditioned response to homosexual acts. They have accepted it as their identity. The lifestyle is self destructive, substituting sex for true love. God calls us to be more than slaves to our lust. He calls us to be free from mortal sin, and to share our gifts with the world! He calls us to be saints.

 

[epan]

I think that it is important to acknowledge that there has been much abuse and prejudice over the centuries. The Christian ideal of condemning the sin, while loving the sinner, has not always been observed. Quite the contrary. Until at least that acknowledgement of historic fact is made, one does not have much credibility with any group which has been subjected to abuse historically.

Then one can move on to the message of what the Bible actually says.

 

[FaithInTheSon]

I think that it is important to acknowledge that there has been much abuse and prejudice over the centuries. The Christian ideal of condemning the sin, while loving the sinner, has not always been observed. Quite the contrary. Until at least that acknowledgement of historic fact is made, one does not have much credibility with any group which has been subjected to abuse historically.

Then one can move on to the message of what the Bible actually says.

Part of what the Bible actually says is that Satan will attack.

And wow look at that…the Word coming true… who would have guessed that would happen that never happened before right (sarcasm)…

“Well screw it it was their fault lock em up boys. I gotta pay a prostitute on the way home before I deal with my wife. Did we meet our ticket quota this month? Hey let’s go search some high school kids before they realize it’s illegal. We can get some drug busts to make up for the lack of tickets.”

edit; i know you know that I just felt I needed to say it. I got it out I feel better now.

 

[Mystophilus]

Hello, I often listen some anger gays saying that bible Abomines Homossexuality at Leviticus 18:22 and they say; “That time Homossexuality was punished by Stoning” and some of them say they would never be christians because the bible is intolerant with homossexuality then they avoid to know the Church and condemn the Gospels.

How do i answer these accusations?

It would be useful to start by understanding the position of the people making them. How would you feel if someone said to you, “I love you, and so I will not allow you to marry the person whom you love”?

In order to deal with homosexuality from a position which affirms the traditional Catholic teaching on it, but which also affirms the value and dignity of the gay person, you have to be very prayerful, and very careful. Most importantly, I would suggest just not getting into the conversation with anyone who is angry, because angry people tend neither to listen nor to express themselves well. Wait until they calm down, and then you can start to discuss what you believe and how they feel about that.

 

[FaithInTheSon]

I just realized no one mentioned this in response to:

Hello, I often listen some anger gays saying that bible Abomines Homossexuality at Leviticus 18:22 and they say; “That time Homossexuality was punished by Stoning” and some of them say they would never be christians because the bible is intolerant with homossexuality then they avoid to know the Church and condemn the Gospels.

This is OT. While the OT is correct, since 2,000 or so years ago the new saying is “let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Considering none of us are without sin…need I say more?

They also used to stone promiscuous women.

St. Paul used to persecute Christians. He was a pharisee.

People make mistakes. Also, the Law changes sometimes. I do not have to offer up livestock for my sins. Things have changed in both the physical and the spiritual.

BTW just so I don’t make one of the greatest men that ever lived look bad to people who haven’t read about him yet:
He went on to be imprisoned for years without just cause. Right before that, 40 men made an oath not to eat or drink until he was dead because he was preaching the Gospel. The same roman commander that saved him fom those men also locked him up for years.
Right after that the first audience he got with a real authority figure he preached the Gospel for a long time to him and many of his associates (a governor I believe). He convinced about half of them from what I remember but the governor was one of them who was convinced. The governor wanted to release him but he had already requested an audience with Cesar so they had to keep him detained(this was predestined).

I could keep going, but if you want to know more and don’t already - please read. It is well worth it. I left out all of the favor this saint found with our Lord among other things. This is the same man who was just persecuting Christians.

I am not exagerating when I say his contribution to mankind outweighs that of any scientist that I am aware of.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I do not wish to be uncharitable or sarcastic, but why bother with such a person who makes such claims? Nothing you or anyone else is going to convince them otherwise.
You would do well to avoid such persons because they can lead you astray and/or make you angry, which in itself can be sinful.
If the other person brings up the subject, be brave and tell them you are not going to discuss the subject and please drop the subject. If they refuse, be brave and turn your back to them and leave.

 

[Eleanora_Winter]

Just don’t answer them, that’s all.
or rather reply with “so what”’?
Unless you impose your dogmas, rules etc on other people who do not share your faith and god ,you have every right to a freedom of religion and thought.

Because you wont succeed in arguing against this point of view with people who actually read the collection of judeo-christian myths and legends.And it will turn into a nasty argument

 

[ChurchSoldier]

It’s against murder and adultery also…ask them if they are ok with those as well.

 

[Farsight001]

Hello, I often listen some anger gays saying that bible Abomines Homossexuality at Leviticus 18:22 and they say; “That time Homossexuality was punished by Stoning” and some of them say they would never be christians because the bible is intolerant with homossexuality then they avoid to know the Church and condemn the Gospels.

How do i answer these accusations?

I would merely point out that when Jesus came, he fulfilled the old covenant, and as such, old rules such as stoning ceased to apply. Then I typically ask them why they aren’t attacking the Jews over this. They’re the ones for which there is no new covenant yet.

 

[Mystophilus]

Then I typically ask them why they aren’t attacking the Jews over this.

Sorry, but I have seen this sort of thing promoted elsewhere in this forum, have never seen it anywhere else, and am entirely at a loss to understand how Catholics think that advocating attacks on third parties is of benefit to anyone.

 

[Farsight001]

Sorry, but I have seen this sort of thing promoted elsewhere in this forum, have never seen it anywhere else, and am entirely at a loss to understand how Catholics think that advocating attacks on third parties is of benefit to anyone.

It’s not a genuine advocation of attack. It is said to point out how backwards, hypocritical, and biased their position is. If they really cared about what the bible said about it, instead of cared about having an excuse to hate on Christians, then they would target the people for which such verses still apply. I point out that they are not attacking Jews to make clear to them that their real goals seem to be less obvious than they insinuate.

 

[Mystophilus]

It’s not a genuine advocation of attack.

Is the irony of this escaping you somehow? You are responding to the literal, surface sense of what I said by arguing that the literal, surface sense of what you said is not what matters.

If you tell someone that they look fat, even if meaning it only in jest, you literally tell them that they look fat. If you ask them why they aren’t attacking someone else, even if meaning it as an attempt at reductio ad finem, you literally ask them why they aren’t attacking someone else.

By all means, try to bring them to understand their own motivations better, but I would strongly suggest finding a better way of doing so.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Living for Christ requires every single one of us to change our lives to follow the will of God. I have my own battles with sinful desires that require me to make the attempt to become holy, and its just as much of a struggle to battle those desires as it does for those who are homosexual. I get sort of tired of the belly aching about how rigid and narrow minded Christianity is, when actually Christianity happens to be the one belief that says come as you are and God will receive you and give you all the help you need in order to become what you were created to be.