Great thread. I'm reminded of my friend's (Lutheran pastor, I think) dad who once compared religion to a pizzeria.
In other words, people in positions of authority in my church use crazy backwards approaches to biblical inerrancy to defend their actions. I need help in addressing these folks without seeming all condescending about it
This is kind of what I'm wondering about. 1) Like, what's the most respectful way of dealing with situations in which certain types of religious folk insist I'm going to hell/purgatory because of my (apathetic Roman Catholic/lazy reform Jewish) upbringing/(agnostic-y Jewish) current beliefs? Usually I go with something like, "I appreciate your concern, but there's no hell in my religion." At least no one's made me a Rapture kit, as my mom's coworker did for her.
And 2) What's the most respectful way of dealing with people whose only argument against sexual minorities is that their interpretation of the Bible tells them it's wrong? Jesus seems like he'd probably be all, "Brothers and sisters, chill out" to folks on either side, but that's not a compelling argument. I don't expect to change anyone's mind, but if you could point me in the direction of Bible passages or books that could make for a, like, more productive discussion, it'd be appreciated. All that comes to mind for me is "judge not, lest ye be judged", which is my jam but doesn't seem to translate to the anti-GLBT crowd.
As for the fiirst question, the only thing I can recommend is going back to Jesus. Jesus never, ever condemned anyone. He just welcomed. He never even said tht people had to stop doing whatever it was that everyone else considered sinning (tax collecting, prostitution, being handicapped), before they could join him. Jesus did not use fear as a weapon.
Ever. Fear cannot create love, and if so-called Christians are trying to frighten someone into coming to God, then they aren't WWJD-ing. Jesus simply loved people, and it is through being loved that we come to recognize what God wants for us. Fear of hell or greed for heavem can't lead into authentic relationship with God. Get familiar with how Jesus approached others and hold others accountable for how they apporach you in Jesus' name.
As for the second question, it's a bit more complicated. The OT condemns "a man lying with another man as he would with a woman", which I would argue is different from homosexuality, and Paul seems to condemn homosexuality in general. (Sodom and Gomorrah have nothing to do with the gay. Even Paul read them as being about hospitality. See my first answer for a reason contemporary Christians might not want to be judged on their hospitality.) Three verse in all of scripture that in some way seem to condemn homosexuality. The best way forward is, yep, to know your scripture. First, whip out Leviticus 19:19 (or pretty much nay random verse in Leviticus, but this one is especially good), and ask them if they stick with that. Then ask if they belive homosexuals should be put to death, because the bible says they should. If not, then they aren't taking the bible literally and can't use it as a defense for their own xenophobia. If they say yes, then run, because they are insane. But then we can bring in other biblical studies. The bible is self-redacting. Check out Deuteronomy 23:1 and contrast it with Acts 8:26-40. The Jesus-centered community welcomes in those that even the scriptures say are unwelcome. The Eunuch isn't healed of his condition, but he is still baptized into the church, despite the teachings of scripture. I don't see how we could have any clearer a model than this.
Beyond this, there are more complicated debates about sexuality and such. I don't think the ancients had a concept of homosexuality like we do. I don't think they knew that some people are oriented homosexually. Instead, they saw homosexual acts as a violation of God-given sexuality, sex for pleasure alone rather than in the context of building and covenental relationship. If this is true, then a gay person trying to be straight is also a violation of God-given sexuality. As always, Jesus died to take away our sins, not our brains. We're still expected to use them. Answers are always complicted. Christians right now are so obsessed with the sex they aren't having. So many of us are so condemnatory. We have lost our basis in Jesus, I'm afraid, and that can't be good. Isaiah has a lot to say to folks who claim to be God's people but don't act like it.
