Religion and Homosexuality: Who has the right to judge?
As Americans, we have all been taught in history class how this country was formed on the principles of freedom, justice, and liberty for all. These ideals have been integrated in many aspects of our lives, from our money to our music. This country has seen many different races and classes of people fight for the right to vote, attend school, work, and live where they want without the constant fear of being treated unequally or harmed physically. As we continue to strive for this equality and harmony, we as a nation have become embroiled in a whole new series of rights being denied a specific group of Americans. Many of them are Christians and value God, family, and the commitment to their partners. I am aware that this could describe many groups of people, but the mass of people I choose to focus this paper on are a group who’s right to marry and adopt is dominating headlines: Homosexuals. Judeo-Christian theological perspectives on biblical interpretations of same sex relationships are highly contentious today. Many who condemn homosexuality and the right of homosexuals to marry argue that this is sin in the Bible, although their detractors note same sex relationships not in the “Top Ten” a.k.a. The Ten Commandments. (Adultery is the only sexual act condemned in the Ten Commandments.) How one views the authority of the Bible on this issue may vary based upon many things including one’s religious denomination and whether one is a religiously conservative, moderate or liberal; whether one is Roman Catholic, Muslim, Fundamentalist Protestant or Mainline Protestant. How one makes an “argument” with scriptures can be highly problematic (e.g., taking scripture out of context). There is probably agreement that same sex relationships between at least some men are condemned in the Old Testament (Leviticus). But so too are men sleeping with women on their periods. Other acts condemned in the Bible that...