PwarYuex said:
Nope, you read what I said correctly.
Two issues: Firstly, I find Catholic altering of Christian theology makes it one of the most harmful religions around. I absolutely hate Catholicism.
Secondly, the issue of reinterpretation (from which point 1 partly comes from) makes religions even more dangerous to the world. Most of the Gospels, for example, form nice stories from which teachings can be done. (I think I disagree with a few people about this.)
That's fine - but why do you believe that? You have read the Bible, as have I; explain it to me.
The word referring to homosexuals is clear. The context (which places homosexuals among thieves, prostitutes, murderers, etc) is clear.
So how do you believe this?
"So do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers-none of these will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
"The law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God" (1 Timothy 1:9-11).
There are two major issues to consider when one approaches these passages: translation and sexual practices of Greek culture. A comparison of these verses in several translations of the Bible indicates that there is some confusion about how to translate two Greek words in these lists of vices Paul has enumerated. The two words are 'arsenokoitai' which is rendered in various translations as "homosexuals," "sodomites," "child molesters," or "perverts" and 'malakoi' which is rendered in various translations as "catamites," "the effeminate," or "boy prostitutes."
These Greek words are difficult to translate in the context of these passages. Malakoi is a common term and means "soft." It can refer to clothing (Matthew 11:8) or moral matters, meaning, "undisciplined." Arsenokoitai is a rare word and is made up of arseno meaning "man," and koitai meaning "bed, lying, or having sex with." When put together the word may mean "male prostitutes."
When these words are placed in the context of Greek culture in which Paul was writing, the passages have very specific meanings. As we have seen earlier, the Mediterranean world had a definition of sexuality that was based on dominance/submission and unequal status. Greek culture fine-tuned that definition with regard to status. Proper sexual relations occurred between people whose status was unequal. In addition there was a practice in ancient Greek culture known as pederasty in which younger men were socialized and educated through a close relationship with an older man. These older men were the boys' (age 12 or 13) patrons and, often, their lovers. These relationships were seen as the key to raising up the next generation of city leaders and there were strict rules about how long the relationship should last and the roles of families within these relationships. Evidently there was some abuse happening in these relationships and young boys were being exploited and kept by the patron well after the boy had grown into adulthood (which would have made him an equal, hence violating the code of sex only among unequals).
These abusive relationships are what the apostle Paul is referencing, not mutually loving and caring relationships between people of the same sex.
How do I believe this?
I'm through with trying to make my beliefs sound like the right ones. They might not be, I don't know.
Quite simply, I believe this because it is what I have always truly felt inside me, and it is what keeps me sane. My belief in others and myself is what compels me to try and make a difference in my part of the world.
Thankyou for sharing your opinions with me also.
