Featured Is Christianity homophobic?

[AgnosticBoy]

For debate:
1. Does 'homophobia' involve any type of belief or action (e.g. simply saying that it is wrong) that goes against homosexuality? Or does it just involve "hatred and prejudice"?

2. Is it even possible to believe that homosexuality is wrong but not hate it or be prejudiced towards it?

 

[AgnosticBoy]

In the spirit of agnosticism, here's my attempt at trying to incorporate good points from both sides of this issue!

1. Is the author's distinction correct? Does 'homophobia' involve any type of belief or action (e.g. simply saying that it is wrong) that goes against homosexuality? Or does it just involve "hatred and prejudice"?

Here are some definitions for 'homophobia':
1. irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or gay people - Merriam-Webster

2. Homophobia, stigma (negative and usually unfair beliefs), and discrimination (unfairly treating a person or group of people) against gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Keeping these definitions in mind, I would say that there's room for someone to be against homosexuality while not being homophobic. The most obvious example would be if someone had a reasonable basis to go against homosexuality. I can't imagine there being anything reasonable that goes against homosexuality entirely, but instead it would probably be something against certain aspects or expressions of the behavior, like being against same-sex marriage while not being against homosexuality itself.

Another example I can think of is if the belief is unproven either way, like if someone believes that God wants marriage to be between opposite sex couples. Is that belief irrational? I wouldn't know either way without there being evidence either way. The only way I would be against such a belief is if it conflicted with the available body of scientific evidence for homosexuality OR if Christians acted on such beliefs in a harmful way. But if they keep it to themselves, then I can personally accept that as not being homophobic.

The alternative, is labelling any and every of opposition to homosexual behavior/expression as being "homophobia" and I think that is unreasonable and would lead to censoring, in effect.

2. Is it even possible to believe that homosexuality is wrong but not hate it or be prejudiced towards it?

I think it's possible. For instance, a Christian can believe that adultery is wrong but not hate adultery or adulterers. But oftentimes Christians don't show that. We find a hyperfocus on homosexuality with many of them trying to find anything negative with homosexuality. Why not also look at the positives of it?

* I'm willing to amend or abandon my view for a more reasonable one.

 

[bbyrd009]

There is of course an overwhelming belief that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible; only when you go looking, it gets quite a bit less clear. There is a pretty valid argument that Paul coined the term arsenokoitai, and it isnt hard to see that homosexuality was not listed among the sins of Sodom or Gomorrah.

OT might be a bit harder to dismiss, until one understands that allegory is almost or always being employed, and that “homosexuality” makes a great allegory for a civilization built solely to take advantage of its citizens; the just and righteous must first be eliminated or otherwise bridled.

Dunno how much this relates to the op, but the point might be that those who read literally (once again) tend to reveal themselves by their biases/phobias

 

[AgnosticBoy]

Dunno how much this relates to the op, but the point might be that those who read literally (once again) tend to reveal themselves by their biases/phobias

Not quite the topic here but still a very good observation! There does seem to be a strong correlation between biblical literalism and bigotry.

I also decided to post my view (post #2) on other forums to as a sort of challenge. I figured if those who believe otherwise won't challenge me here, then I can take it to other forums to challenge members who have an opposing position. Of course, this site is my top priority. Here's one debate I've had, if anyone is interested in reading it:
Here.

So far, I still have much of the same view. I think that many Christians have used the Bible to promote homophobia, but the Bible itself isn't homophobic or has not been shown to be such.

 

[bbyrd009]

There is of course an overwhelming belief that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible; only when you go looking, it gets quite a bit less clear. There is a pretty valid argument that Paul coined the term arsenokoitai, and it isnt hard to see that homosexuality was not listed among the sins of Sodom or Gomorrah.

OT might be a bit harder to dismiss, until one understands that allegory is almost or always being employed, and that “homosexuality” makes a great allegory for a civilization built solely to take advantage of its citizens; the just and righteous must first be eliminated or otherwise bridled.

or iow a bunch of exclusive old white guys making all the decisions without benefit of opposing voices. They may not all be white, or even guys, but the point being that they are homo in their thinking, homogenous, no disagreement allowed

Dunno how much this relates to the op, but the point might be that those who read literally (once again) tend to reveal themselves by their biases/phobias

 

[bbyrd009]

Not quite the topic here but still a very good observation! There does seem to be a strong correlation between biblical literalism and bigotry.

I also decided to post my view (post #2) on other forums to as a sort of challenge. I figured if those who believe otherwise won't challenge me here, then I can take it to other forums to challenge members who have an opposing position. Of course, this site is my top priority. Here's one debate I've had, if anyone is interested in reading it:
Here.

“
I am Christian. I think homosexuality is a sin…

1 . Judge not lest ye be judged…

2. Personally I think homosexuality is a mental illness…”

nothing short of hilarious to me that this guy is not seeing his own hypocrisy, and deems himself “savant” to boot lol

So far, I still have much of the same view. I think that many Christians have used the Bible to promote homophobia, but the Bible itself isn't homophobic or has not been shown to be such.

kinda gets back to my attempt to show how the Bible can be deliberately deceptive imo; homosexuals then were likely even more prone to being looked down upon simply for their “orientation,” or iow not treated like one would hope to be treated themselves, allowing hypocrisy to show through iow.

 

[AgnosticBoy]

homosexuals then were likely even more prone to being looked down upon simply for their “orientation,”

2000+ years later, now the LGBT community are one of the most socially popular today. It's a stunning turn around seeing how quickly progress has been made compared to other social movements like racial and gender equality.

 

[bbyrd009]

2000+ years later, now the LGBT community are one of the most socially popular today. It's a stunning turn around seeing how quickly progress has been made compared to other social movements like racial and gender equality.

progress…ya

 

[AgnosticBoy]

I wrote this on another forum...

As a non-believer myself, I don't think all Christians that view homosexuality as being wrong are bigots. It all boils down to why they believe it is wrong. If the reason for their belief was based on hate or something that's clearly false, then I would call them bigots. But if their belief or view is not based on hate, and not based on something that is proven either way, then I wouldn't call that bigotry. At most, they'd be guilty of having an unfounded opinion which is no different than a lot of the political beliefs floating around out there (e.g. abortion is wrong, abortion is right, etc).

Some may say that since science shows that homosexuality is not harmful, that then makes it right, and it would be bigotry to disagree with that. I don't accept that for a few reasons. The main reason is that it's entirely possible for homosexuality to be immoral even if it doesn't cause harm, like if it goes against some design or purpose.

The one issue i would have with Christians is in how far they would go in acting on their beliefs. Ideally, I'd only want them acting on proven ideas, but since politics is filled with opinions (from the religious and non-religious) that we act on, then I'd be okay with CHristians acting on their beliefs just as long as it doesn't involve executing someone for engaging in same-sex behavior.

 

[Scooter]

As a Christian, I follow the teaching of the Word of God. The Bible clearly and plainly states homosexuality is a sin and is not to be practiced. Period. Does that make me homophobic? Many will say yes. And that's fine by me. I've been called worse. Here is why, IMO, this topic has become so heated. The LGBTQ community seems to be pushing its agenda on others, especially children. Schools allow sexually explicit books in libraries, and even have drag queens giving lap dances to students. We don't see adulterers, for instance, pushing their lifestyle onto people. We do not see thieves, liars and prostitutes in schools promoting their way of life. I see homosexuals as sinners just as I see other sinners. I myself am a sinner who struggles with certain sins. I am no better than the homosexual, thief, liar or prostitute. But I am forgiven because I ask God to forgive me. I try not to sin, and I definitely do not brag about my sin or encourage others to join me in my sin as the LGBTQ people are doing.