I read Shane McLaughlin's response to Jesse Handy's April 22 column, and I would like to offer my own opinion as an example of how many others choose to believe.
I am a born-again Christian who believes wholeheartedly in the existence of God as the ultimate center of my life, and I use my translation of the lessons in the Bible as a general code of ethics. However, I am not blind to the fact that the Bible itself was translated from various ancient texts written, assembled and interpreted over several centuries by men who lived hundreds of years after Jesus is thought to have died.
When I was told homosexuality was a sin according to the Bible, I decided to do my own research into God's word.
The only direct references to homosexuality in the King James Old Testament are Leviticus 18:22, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: It is abomination," and the similar verse 20:13. "Abomination" here is a rather loaded translation of the Hebrew word "toebah" which suggests ritual uncleanliness rather than moral evil.
I also noticed that in the story of Sodom and Gamorrah (Judges 19), the men who beat at the door of Lot's house as he housed disguised angels were asking 'to know' them. These men desired to rape them, which was a common practice of humiliation at the time. Rape is unacceptable, especially gang rape, which some translations suggest here. But Jesus himself (who never mentioned homosexuality or its translation) suggested in Luke 10:10-12 that it was inhospitality that was the sin by which these people were punished.
Also, in detailing the sins of Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49 & 50), homosexuality or anything closely approximating it are not even mentioned. Maybe homosexuality was not the problem. On the other hand, long hair on men (I ,Corinthians 11:14), eating red meat and wearing clothing from more than one material (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13 & 14) were specifically mentioned as unholy; what can we interpret about others in these passages?
I think we as Christians need to re-evaluate our interpretations of the Bible. Although there are many other passages regarding homosexuality (or any other 'sin', for that matter) that others might defend to prove a point, I suggest another idea to those people. The Bible has always advocated love for others and hate as the province of the Devil and evil. When you think of homosexual people - or anyone else you don't approve of - take a look in the mirror and ask yourself: "Do I see love in that expression?" Or is it hate?
Josef Molnar, sophomore journalism and
political science double-major