What does the Bible say about being gay?
For most heterosexuals, the teaching that homosexuality is a sin presents no problem, so they often see little reason to give the subject much thought. Many of them, victims of widespread ignorance on the subject, believe that being gay is merely a difficult habit to be overcome. They fail to comprehend the extreme consequences and implications such teaching has for the life of Christians who discover they have a different sexual orientation.
For gay people, there is a compelling reason to give the subject a great deal of study. Eternal damnation is too serious a consequence to merely rely on "what we've always been taught." One could hold the view that being gay is not a sin as long as homosexual acts are not performed. But the result, a life of celibacy and loneliness, is also too serious to simply rely on what we have always been told.
Many Seventh-day Adventist Christians, from laypeople to seminary professors, have studied the Bible texts often believed to be about homosexual acts and conclude that what the Bible doesn't say is as important as what it does say. The Bible clearly speaks against lust in any form, but above all it does not condemn, or even mention, homosexuality as a sexual orientation.
After studying and praying about the issue, most Seventh-day Adventist Christians, learn the following important points about the Bible and sexual orientation:
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The Bible never mentions homosexuality or sexual orientation. |
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The six Bible passages used against gay people (Genesis 19:5, Leviticus 18:22 & 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9, I Timothy 1:9-10) are incorrectly translated and used out of context to hurt people not found in the original text. |
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Bible languages of Hebrew and Greek had no word for homosexual, sex or for romantic love. |
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The use of the Bible to condemn gay people violates theological and scientific principles of translation and interpretation. It is theologically and academically unsound, indefensible, irresponsible and ignorant. |
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Jesus never mentioned homosexuality. If it is the grave sin many claim it is, certainly he would have devoted at least a portion of his important teachings and lessons to this topic-but he does not. |
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The Bible repeatedly demonstrates God's love, care and acceptance of all outcast, rejected, misunderstood and alienated people. |
A discussion of the moral and ethical issues and the Bible texts relating to this subject is beyond the scope of this page. However, we invite you to read a study written by a Seventh-day Adventist physician that addresses this important topic— Homosexuality: Another Adventist Point of View.
There are also many books written about this subject and information found online. We encourage you to review our list of resources related to this and other subjects.
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