Columnist: Is homosexuality wrong? What does the Bible actually say? Part 2

Published 12:00 am Monday, November 30, 2015

By Glenn Dowell

Contributing columnist

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Final of two parts, continued from the Nov. 28-29 Weekend edition.

I am ambivalent about the issue of homosexuality.

My opinions are predicated on biblical principles and scriptures. I truly believe what is written in Leviticus 18:22 (KJV). It states, quite emphatically, “Thou shall not lie with mankind, as with a womankind: it is abomination.”

I was also given to believe that “if a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads” (Leviticus 20:13-KJV).

I interpreted the passage above as dying a physical and spiritual death due in part to a person violating God’s immorality directives. My sense of conscience was reinforced by 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV). It states:

“9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

I am a grown man now. Am I wiser? I believe so. Am I more tolerant of the feelings and practices of others? I think so. Is my opinion of homosexual behavior an indication that I am a homophobe?

My answer is succinct: No!

Should homosexuals be guaranteed protection under our constitution similar to the protection offered to previously oppressed and disenfranchised individuals? Is homosexuality a choice that is made rather than a so-called genetic malfunction that predestines a person to be this way?

I do not know about others, but I want to be on the right side of the Lord. Many Christians are disappointed in our so-called cultural revolution that endorses same-sex marriages and essentially shocks our sensitivities daily, encouraging us to believe that this lifestyle should be promoted and accepted. They believe the media is very much to blame for much of the changes we have made in our thinking on this issue.

In a sense they are correct. Movie stars prominently show off their same-sex lovers to us in the print and broadcast media. The message to the impressionable — this behavior is acceptable.

Major entertainers kiss same-sex individuals as part of their act or performance. The message to the impressionable: this behavior is acceptable.

Christians also believe that a growing number of parents are too permissive and encouraging with their children, allowing them in some instances, to determine their own gender preferences.

The military’s changing policies regarding the issue of homosexuality in its ranks by some appear to be abominable. It is now acceptable to live openly as a homosexual and not be kicked out of the armed services.

For the record, some in the religious community feel that society is moving at breakneck speed to force God to intervene and stop us from our sinful ways. He is looking on, they say, as we flaunt our disobedience to Him.

Some religious scholars believe that as homosexuality becomes more acceptable by the government, and protected under our laws, that God will hear the Earth’s cry as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. The proof they say is revealed in Genesis, 18: 20-21 (KJV), which reads:

“20 And the LORD said, because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous …

21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.”

Even Abraham interceding for Sodom did not stop God from being displeased with how man had become morally bankrupt. He knew that man had developed a reprobate mind. He was fed up and dispatched his angels to correct their misdeeds.

God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is chronicled in the biblical passages in Genesis 19: 24-25 (KJV) which follow:

“24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.”

Should we believe everything the bible says?

Absolutely! I accept the Bible as a moral barometer created to be a blueprint for ensuring our salvation.

Even if we fall short of what God wants us to do, the Bible allows us to understand that Jesus died for our sins. He knew that we would be weak and unable to bear the cross he suffered.

All the sinful have to do is to ask God’s forgiveness and sin no more, and unlike man, God will truly forgive us.

Glenn Dowell is an author and LaGrange native who currently lives in Jonesboro. He may be reached at glenn.dowell@gmail.com.