Dare to Ask: Can you be gay and Christian as well?

By Phillip Milano

Question

A lot of people say they are gay and Christian. Isn't the Bible against homosexuality?

Natalie, 18, straight, Australia

Replies

Homosexuality is never explicitly outlawed in the Bible. But the position of the Bible is homophobic. A punishment is attached to the sexual act, namely stoning.

Michael, 21, New York

The Bible is the living word of God -- how much more "law" do you need? I love smoking pot so I justified it because it didn't actually say in the Bible not to. But we know it is against the law. ... Don't try and justify something you know you are not supposed to do.

Joshua, 28, straight, Oregon

Leviticus condemns the act of homosexual sex, not homosexuality per se. ... In the New Testament, Paul condemns things Jesus never seemed to worry about.

Elizabeth, 18, straight, Mansfield, Ohio

The Old Testament condemns usury and wearing clothing woven of two different fibers. Yet Christianity has moved beyond enforcing these. So get thee behind me, Satan, in thy gabardine and polyester weave slacks.

Ben, 31, gay, Sydney, Australia

Corinthians 6:9 warns: "Do you not know the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? ... neither the immoral, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals ... will inherit God's kingdom." We all do well to heed this warning.

Holly, 28, Annapolis, Md.

Most gay-baiting Christians who come to save us lost sheep can't withstand more than five minutes of detailed Bible reading before they give up and look for someone more vulnerable.

Mark, 39, gay, Dallas

Expert says

Depending on your Bible, Corinthians 6:9-10 refers to homosexuals ... or not. Some versions instead say "abusers of themselves with mankind," and some scholars say Paul would've used a common Greek term at the time -- paiderasste -- if he wanted to refer to sex between males.

Biblical bickering aside, Justin Lee, founder of the 14,000-member Gay Christian Network (gaychristian.net), said many people talk of "Side A" or "Side B" gay Christians.

Side A'ers support gay marriage and same-sex relations; Side B'ers don't and remain celibate.

Side B gay Christians say " 'I agree the Bible condemns gay sex, so I don't have it,' " said Lee, who grew up Southern Baptist and now falls into the Side A camp.

Many Christians maintain gay people can't change their orientation -- they condemn the behavior alone, he said.

Side A proponents say that doesn't go far enough, and that the Bible's stance isn't about "loving, monogamous gay relationships," but sexual behavior in the context of idolatry or pederasty.

"As Christians ... we disagree, but we love one another in the midst of disagreement," Lee said. "I believe the Bible is not anti-gay, but many people use it that way. And I'm not willing to concede it to them."

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Phillip Milano, author of I Can't Believe You Asked That! (Perigee), moderates cross-cultural dialogue at Y? The National Forum on People's Differences. Visit www.yforum.com to submit questions and answers. Send general column comments to phillip.milano@jacksonville.com. You can also hear his podcasts or watch his TV spots.