I'm amazed that so many claim to know God's word. Either the Bible is woefully contradictory, or people's interpretation of it turns out to mean what they want it to mean. I tend to think the latter is true.

Jesus really does love everybody, know matter who you are, but this argument would really leave me stuck....

I agree about Jesus loving everybody. It all depends how you view the bible. God his father on the other hand shows no love for homosexuals as he showed in the book of Genesis. He destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorra. Lot his wife and 2 youngest daughters were the only people saved.

As for my opinion.....I dont hate gay people. I was friends with a few co-workers that were gay and didnt treat them any different. I could care less what they do in the privacy of their own homes, thats their business. I just don't support it and feel marriage is something shared between a man and woman.

This goes off in so many different directions it is amazing.
Anyone who truly believes in Jesus....your heart should break over this...
Jesus said, "All men are welcome at my table".
Want to believe God will judge homosexuals? Okay...just remember..
He will also judge drinkers, smokers, prescription drug junkies, assholes who routinely cut people off in traffic, etc., etc.
Whoever meant whatever with the Bible...Jesus never intended a book to be called "God's word" so that it may be used to beat someone else over the head with.

I wish I could have gotten in on this sooner. After reading all the comments, I'm dismayed to see how many people (especially Christians) don't understand that the Old Testament laws were for the Israelites some 4000 years ago. The vast majority don't pertain to us today. They were put there to show how God made a covenant with Israel, and there had to be a 1st covenant in order for there to be a 2nd covenant (Christ).
HOWEVER the New Testament also talks against homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

To those who said that the Bible shouldn't be used to create laws, sorry you're too late. That's what our original laws were based on. And it's sad to note that even the non-christian founding fathers (and others who lived at that time) knew the Bible better most Christians today.

But, you don't have to quote scripture to explain how wrong same-sex relations is. Any sane, sensible human being should be able realize that homosexuality a despicable perversion. Should we hate them? Of course not! We should show love and compassion to them, but hate the sin, and certainly not encourage their actions.

I am going to rate this a three. If you are one of those people that think the Bible is to be taken literally, I think being against gay marriage makes perfect sense. However, if you are one of those people that don't believe what the Bible says or at least don't think it is literally God's word, you probably have no problem with gay marriage. This particular argument is one of religious belief and how you feel about it depends on what your take on God and religion are. Faith is a personal thing and considering I tend to lean toward agnostic, I am not exactly sure how I feel on this one. Personally I love the ladies, so homosexuality is something I don't get, but a homosexual might claim they don't get heterosexuals.

The Bible says a lot of things. In Leviticus (where I believe this passage originates) It also says that man can not shave, that you should not mix linen with wool and that one can not get tattoo'd.

I broke all three of those rules just now, (and I'd wager so did a lot of reviewers. ) I am wearing wool socks and a cotton shirt, I shaved this morning and I have three cross tattoos on my body. Does this mean that I am going to Hell with all the Homosexuals?
If it does then I need to seriously rethink this whole Christianity thing.
...And change my tattoos.

If you're Catholic or Christian this is a big factor. I take the Bible seriously, I don't always act accordingly myself but my belief is that it's true. This would be the major proponent that would instinctually tell me that the gay lifestyle is not right.

It does not take an adult to realize that homosexuality is not natural nor productive (and is demeaning to both genders). Remember that magazine which had the, “what’s wrong with this picture,” on the back cover... well being gay is no exception….why don't we try to think about this instead of just trying to feel about it:

Question: Hand is to glove, as foot is to ____

Answer: If you are twisted you might have said fetish, but a more natural and normal answer for anyone with a sixth grade education might have should have answered shoe/sneaker or something similar.

If the previous question was too easy why not try a little harder question:

Question: Man is to woman, as sperm is to ____

If you’re a homosexual you might as well say crap or fecal matter, if you’re a heterosexual you probably would say egg (isn’t it ironic or better yet queer that most homosexuals know the best answer to the question is egg, yet fail to make that connection in real life).

One thing is to be gay and acknowledge it as a problem or weakness in one's life, another thing is to force everyone on the planet that it is natural and normal.

Oh, and homosexuals do have equal rights under the law, but that's not the point is it?! Oh, and that think for yourself?...should say, "Think for yourself...and make sure it's my way?..."

* THINK for YOURSELF ? * 

UPDATE:

What the Bible says is relevant for those who believe in what the Bible says.

What the Bible says is not an excuse for denying equal protection of the law to American citizens.

I have a WOW for SocratesQuestionsU, what you wrote was definitely attention getting. Aside from what hopefully was a typo about Noah having been given 10 sentences as opposed to Moses (thank you for the small words though).
Now, about discrediting the power of scriptures written by man versus that which is written by God and/or Jesus. Apparently you believe in Jesus since you did capitalize His name and not christian. When Jesus (God) was speaking to the Pharisees and Sadducees did He not quote the Old Testament (not the 10 commandments) but the ones written by man? Didn't Jesus fulfill hundreds of prophesies written by Isaiah, David, Moses, etc... all written as you stated "by man." If those scriptures written by man, where so unimportant, then why would the Jesus (God) you believe in go through such great length to fulfill those scriptures and even quote them to Satan during his time of temptation, even Satan respects and acknowledges the power of the scriptures. Maybe this will help you see why so many people take the words of the bible seriously.
Oh, and I saw the part you wrote about meeting many christians who are extremely judgmental, so have I, but it seems like most Christians decided to believe in the Savior because they could not live up to their own standards, never mind the standards of the bible.
By the way, I've always had a desire for the same sex, however I choose to submit to the scripture and God's Will to the best of my ability, because that is what Jesus, the son of God, did (and I'm not better than He is). However, my salvation is not based on my works, but on the work that Jesus did on the cross.
Anyway for the record this was written by an ordinary guy (in case it was not obvious), may you be blessed (glad you wrote that).

WOW!!!!!
And many of you claim to know the bible!! Let's make this clear so that you will understand me. If necessary I can use small words to help make it easier to understand. God never wrote anything in the bible but 10 sentences that he gave to Noah. That is it!! The rest is written by man, not God, not Jesus, but man. At the time when the bible was compiled into a single book, you had christians and non christians. They used the terms that many of you are having so much fun throwing around: Man shall not lie with man" to better strengthen their hold on their followers, as it was custom at the time for men to lie with men and women to lie with women. CONTROL folks, that is all it is. But it is nice to see so many sheep in the world today. Oh and their is a reason that I didn't capitalize christians and bible but did capitalize Jesus and God. Because in all of my years I have yet to meet a real christian; because the many that I have met are the most judgemental people on the face of the planet! Live your life to the best of your ability and leave those that are not like you or don't believe the same as you alone.

  "Pooh," said Rabbit kindly, "you haven't any brain."
"I know," said Pooh humbly.

-Winnie the Pooh

Anyway, the bible is not the standard for how EVERYONE should think. If it's what you believe...well dandy, but understand that is not how everyone else is. And to judge someone on their sexual orientation as opposed to their qualities as an individual is messed up. Go ahead, use Christ as an excuse. You don't have to condone it but you do owe respect to people.

It is fascinating to read what apparently is an educated or thoughtful persons point of view, and realize that they are not seeking God or his way, but excusing their own way. Let me mention one popular phrase
One should not judge, hhmm apparently no one knows the difference between discerning and judgment? When someone says rape is bad is that a judgment or discernment? If you answered yet the previous sentence is a judgment, then are you also saying that it is not Christian to believe that rape is bad according to the bible? HELLO or Selah take your pick! Anyway
Now lets get back to the Word of God, homosexuality is a sin as seen in scripture, however sin is forgivable by God, but by no means is it promoted. God did not write the bible for his personal enlightenment, but for the benefit of the reader (and His Holy Name), therefore if you would like to follow Jesus (the way, truth and life), then you follow his teachings. If you would like to live your life in sin, then God gave everyone the freedom to chose, however sin does not lead to an abundant life neither does it lead to the kingdom of God (in the case for homosexuals see 1 Corinthians 6).
On another point; homosexual offenders, people who lie, people who committed adultery (David), people who got drunk (Noah), people who murdered other people including Christians (Paul), are probably in heaven and with Jesus. Dont you think they regretted sinning against God? Dont you know that sin reaps death, David when he slept with Bathsheba and organized the demise of her husband, did he not lose all his children except one, Paul did he not spend the rest of his life beaten and killed himself for Jesus name sake, when he had once beaten and killed Christians himself (yet they both are saved). Dont accept homosexuality, show a sinner the path to life and life more abundantly, remember seek ye first the kingdom of God and all the rest shall follow.
Someone reading this might think this condemnation of homosexuality might come from a pious, bible thumping, self-righteous person. For the record, this comment was written by a man who has struggled his entire life with Same Sex Attractions, I often wondered what life might be without this curse over me, but I also know that if I ever were to fall into a homosexual lifestyle that it would only create a bigger void in my life. There is a website for those who would like help with same sex attraction, here it is just in case you or your friend fit this category www.narth.com Godbless.

To everyone who thinks that the Bible is truly the word of GOD. Yes there are words of God in the Bible-they are in RED. If you want the Bible to be just the word of God then it would be a lot shorter. Take for example the letters that Paul wrote to the seven churches theses are letters people from one person to seven churches-not the word of God. At no point does Paul try to say that they are. As for the verse man shall not lie with man etc. this was Moses directive to the Jews so they may differ themselves from the Greeks. If you go back to the the Greek Bible what they are talking about is Adult-child sex. Because men (and women) had sex with children in Greece at that time for many reasons. (read history books along with your Bible). And for all the talk about Jesus not saying anything about being gay well lets use the right wing approach and just lay out a verse without any plot to make a point. Jesus said " and at that time there will be two men in ONE BED and one shall be taken and not the other" I think Jesus is shaking his head and crying at the right's misuse of the word of GOD. Don't forget do not judge oops I guess that is the rights job to judge all those different then themselves. I think that there will many Christians in the after life asking one important question-HOW DID ALL THESE GAYS GET IN HEAVEN. It's simple really by the love and grace of their creator who made them how he made them. I started a NEW BLOG CHECK IT OUT. WWW.GODLOVESGAYS.BLOGSPOT.COM PEACE

That, by itself should be a clear and strong warning. But even common sense says it is wrong, perverse, harmful and degrading.

The bible says alot of thing, who the hell care.  Religion has no power when is comes to making laws for a reason.

You may as well quote the Koran or the Great Gatsby for your arguments, they're just about as relevant as this one.

soo.if

First off, the Bible is not the law of the land, in spite of the the belief by some that it should be. And second, those who feel it should be, tend to use it selectively, only when it supports their personal sense of what is right and wrong. There are all sorts of things accepted by modern society and enshrined in law that go against the teachings of the Bible. Fundamentalists either turn a blind eye to them or carefully reinterpret the Bible to suit their view. This arguement is no different than the one based on traditional values. 

And beside, I don't think gay men do lie down with each other in the same way as they would if they were with a woman.

I have absolutely no problem with gay marriage, and I am also a Christian. The Bible may say "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female", but in the New Testament, the son of God himself says "Judge not, lest ye be judged".
I am a Christian, meaning I believe in the word of Christ. Are we going to follow outdated rules, or are we going to listen to the son of God himself who promotes love and tolerance? I myself found the concept of gay marriage somewhat repelling, but I have learnt that I was wrong, and that tolerance of this issue is the way forward.

it's called seperation of church and state

To all of you that deny the Infallible Word of God. Your denial is ignorance in the simplest form. You don't stand for nothing, no moral values ect. Your opinion doesn't mean anything because it meaningless. Read the Bible not to find errors but to know God. Repent and you will obtain mercy.

Are you all from the south? or just most of you?

With all do respect - Bible sais many other things that people don't necessarily live by. Bible sais don't steal, but people do, bible sais don't kill but people do, and the most famous one, bible sais don't committ adultry, more than a half of the world should be dead then by now, people cheat more than I talk...and I talk a lot.

The Bible hits the nail on the head here. In many cases, the Bible reflects the historical attitude towards certain acts, and these acts have always been outside the pale in human behavior. Where in civilized history have we had same sex marriage?



Maybe the commandment should be, "Thou shalt not use thy lower digestive tract as a sex organ. I have given thee all the sex organs that thou dost need!"

Hang on everyone this is a Biblical commandment; Basically it is saying that a man must be with a Women and a Women must be with a Man. This is one of quite a number of verses against Man - Man, Women - Women relationships. It's very simple and it is clear what Gods word is saying. But if you are not a Christian and don't follow God, then this means nothing to you!!!! Everyone has a free will and can go against God, but Christians this is a clear NO, NO!!!!! Sin is Sin and Christians know that, unfortunately the unsaved neither want it or have chosen not to accept it!!!!

Update 3:52 Just because I believe in free will, that does not mean my personal view towards sin means I condone it. We are all responsible to God and what must be understood is that I stand for Gods rules. If God clearly says this is not for His people, then it is not for His people. What I won't do is argue with someone that they are doing this or that wrong. Conviction of sin is from God and although I share my view that this way of life is wrong, ultimately God will work in a persons heart. All I can do is show a person what Gods word says and let God work in a persons life. Just as God worked in my life.

It also says you are not to eat pig meat/shell fish etc. Why does anyone care who marries or sleeps with who?

UPDATE 4: Autzen, not sure exactly what you are saying but yes sin is sin and one does not justify the other. As Christians we must do everything possible with God's help to try to stop sinning and not condone it.
UPDATE 3: It is amazing to me that people who do believe in the Bible choose to ignore it when it suits them. You can't say God says this but I personally believe this unless you just reject God. UPDATE 2: It is amazing to me just how many people on RIA do not believe in the Word of GOD (the Bible). It is also equally amazing to me how many people do not believe in God. UPDATE: edt4, the points you brought up have nothing to do with trying to justify anything, especially some ones idea of who is or is not prejudice. This issue deals with a lifestyle and choices. You may say it does not, but I believe it is a form of perversion; many compare it to other sexual perversions. Also in case you are wondering Christians or "religious people" do not hate them. Some things you talk about were before the time of Christ and things did change as you know after his death. Some things you mentioned were customs of the day. The last item about the rich man is true as the eye of a needle is talking about an entrance the camel had a hard time passing through. If a man loves money more than anything else then it would be hard for him to make it into heaven because of his greed. ORIGINAL MESSAGE: "If a man lies with a man as he lies with a woman, the two commit an abomination before the Lord." If God says it is wrong who am I to argue? Separation of church and state does not apply here. The intent was to keep government out of the church, not to keep the church out of government!

The Bible is such an ancient collection of things that PEOPLE wrote and recorded. God did NOT write the Bible. It has been manipulated so much over such a huge amount of time that it's impossible to tell what is good and holy and what is just BS that some moron pulled out of his own hatred. In another two-thousand years, who knows? Harry Potterism seems to be a pretty big hit as of late. Dumbledore could be the next Jesus with the way things are going. Won't that be a sight to see? :)

The only people who give a rat's ass about what the bible says at those who find in it support for their hateful opinions and homophobic fears.

As many (if not most) of the prior reviewers have noted or implied, the Bible alone (or any other religious texts) should not dictate secular law. Nevertheless, personal morals, ethics, and other intangibles often originate from philosophical and religious teachings, and these teachings will and often should affect personal votes and public policy on matters such as gay marriage/unions (hence the two stars). All of this suggests that "religion" is difficult if not impossible to define. If someone would start an abortion cult with tenants of this choice, would a pro-choice law be stricken as forcing religion on others? How about a green church forcing environmentalism on the masses? My guess is that few if any citizens in developed countries only believe gay marriages are wrong simply due to some biblical text, but rather they hold this belief notwithstanding such text. With all that aside, the bottom line is that there are much stronger arguments against secular gay unions (the term "marriage" should be reserved for religious purposes out of respect) than the Bible alone.

the bible is a load of out dated contradictary rubbish, unfit for my dog to chew on. the stories aren't even that good

That's wonderful. Since when is the Bible the law of the land?

I wonder if anyone ever stops to think that The Bible was written by men, as in human beings, who say that God told them what to say. Now , this could be true, it could be lunacy, or just men who have misinterpreted something, vision, thought, etc.. People seem to think that religion has something to do with spirituality. Religion is a manmade concept, contrived to control people, and keep them from rebelling or finding the truth, which ironically would set them free. The Bible is mostly religion. Spirituality is what is real, it is God, Buddah, Allah, Goddess, faith, etc. Spirituality is what you feel in your heart and soul, and not what you feel compelled or forced to believe because someone told you to. I believe in God, and I don't think God punishes people for love. you love who you love, and it is not really a controllable thing, and you are attracted to whom you are attracted to. Isn't the main principle Jesus taught, that everyone should practice love and acceptance? How does Gay marriage hurt anyone? If it is a violation, and therefore should be outlawed, then I guess we need to outlaw all marriage, because, cheating, lying, etc., are all violations of marriage. It seems to me the only people against Gay marriage are the ones who are scared of the fact that they may have an ounce of homosexuality lurking inside of them. They seem to think perhaps that if we can keep Gay America down, then they will be able to keep all homosexuality they fear inside of themselves down also. Get real, Gay marriage poses no threat to anyone, and homosexuality is not a sin.

The Bible also says that slavery is ok, menstruating women shall be segregated outside of the tribal village during the time of their "curse", that men shall have short hair, and women long hair. It also says that it will be harder for a rich man to enter Heaven than it will be for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. It's funny how religious people pick and choose what they like from the Bible to justify their own prejudice, while discarding that which they don't like.

when we no longer respect the law of The creator of everything.we become fools who do any thing to please them selves.i so agree with this verse because it set the line of how we all should live.not how we want to live,and like the goodbook also said the majority is heading down the wrong SIDE of the road.

Taking bits and pieces of the Bible to make a point is futile IMO. Out of context statements mean nothing to me. Come up with something better than this, please!

If you believe in this, then you don't have to marry a homosexual. Our country is not a theocracy and our laws should not be based on anyone's religion.

Gay People are idiots!

So what if the Bible says this? Or the Koran? Or my old Sunday tabloid sexfest-filled newspaper? Who says any of this is relevant?

The Bible says lots of things, most of which are crap. Trust me. Read it. Cover to cover.

Well, seeing as we live in a country where the church (and the Bible) is seperated from the state, this is an extremely weak argument. The state cannot make laws according to what the Bible says.

Some ancient religions did have men who were castrated in order to serve in temples. They did have men lie on them as if having sex with women. Perhaps this paganism is what is meant in Leviticus.

You know though, taking that passage literally, it doesn't seem to ban homosexual activity, since in fact it is impossible for two men to have sex the same way a man and a woman have sex - speaking strictly of conventional sex. But that would be the fundamentalist literal interpretation. Taking the more liberal position of the spirit of the passage, I would assume that this passage is referring to sex in general. Why doesn't it just say that? Wasn't there a word for sex? In any case, it's a tribal text thousands of years old. Hardly the basis for modern social arrangement. Updating for kywyman: Well, that would be the liberal position. But fundamentalists, who take the wording literally, would have to limit it to the actions in which two men had sex the same way a man and a woman have sex. But that's physically impossible.

First off Drummond, quote the passage right: "If a man lies with a man as he lies with a woman, the two commit an abomination before the Lord." That seems to say very strongly that homosexual sex (the act) is quite wrong. Now let me haul out another passage more relevant to this particular topic: "A man will leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife....And the two shall be made one flesh." Sounds like a man and a woman here, especially if you read it in the original greek. Sounds like marriage is properly an ordination of God and a sacred union between *one* man and *one* woman, and nothing else. Now if you want a civil union between same-sex couples with the same rights and priveleges under federal and state laws, that's fine and dandy. Just don't ask me or a church to condone it by calling it a "marriage."

People still use their religion to help them make decisions in all forms of government, plus the Bible is one of the first publications that contained laws in it. That makes the arguement at least worth looking at.

When did America become a theocracy? I thought there was a distinction between the state and the church.

This is a commandment which still applies to today. It is sad to see that not many people know the Bible very well and the ones which do know it well enough to pull a few Bible verses out, are actually confused by it. The biggest argument supporting homosexuality is that the Bible is outdated, especially with laws such as Deuteronomy 22:28 which appears to condone rape and Deut 22:5 and Deut 21:18-21. That is actually a very good argument for those who dont know the depth of the Bible especially since homosexuality was in those laws which dont apply to today. Well just to mention, Deut 22:28 was not condoning rape because rape was actually a capital offence, believe it or not, the rapist having to marry the virgin was actually a punishment for the rapist because of the fact that if a woman was no longer a virgin, even if the rapist was put to death, no one would want to marry her for fear of being unclean. So to provide for the woman, God made it so that the man would have to relive his guilt for the rest of his life by having to be rightfully married, plus it was like the mans punishment was also that he had to provide for her for the rest of his life ie Gods punishment was basically for the woman to be allowed to use the man for the rest of his life. And verses such as Deut 22:5 it is believed that there was more to the story because it was actually talking against transvestites, and there was an idolatrous practice which made men dress as women etc and God was filtering that out, plus maintaining the sexual order. I can explain the rest but it will take too long. Anyway those laws do not apply to today. The only law which does apply is where it says that a man shall not lie with another man etc. We know that THIS verse applies today but not the others because simply, look in the New Testament. Now there is nothing in the New Testament which tells us that women are sinning by waring particular clothes or that you cant ware mixed fabrics etc. In fact, the New Testament says the opposite. It says that we are free from the old law and that the old law is obsolete and just to lead us to a better Law which is the Law of Love and freedom. And that man and women are all the same in Christ. It makes no restrictions on what a man or woman should wear, only that a woman should dress moderately ie not look like a clown or pride themselves on their outer beauty. In fact, the Bible also says in Acts that God puts NOUN of the restrictions on us (including those verses in Deut) of the old law except to not drink blood, eat the meat of strangled animals and to not eat food sacrificed to idols. BUT you notice how the Bible in the New Testament only offers forgiveness to a rebellious child, doesnt give those restrictions, but condemns homosexuality and still upholds the sanctity and pattern of marriage between a man and woman only. In fact, the Bible condemns homosexuality in a couple of places such as Romans and 1Corinthians. The fact that homosexuality is wrong is a universal commandment and it should be the universal commandments that should govern any country.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Do we really need anything else to refute this argument? Religious freedom in this country is not just limited to christians, and no argument based on a purely religous source can hope to prevail against a constitutional challenge. percivale