Ryan ChartrandAmerica’s national dialogue about homosexuality has always perplexed me. The current debate over sexual orientation centers considerably around science, as we try to answer whether being gay is a choice or not.
However, since science and religion are usually at odds, a definitive answer in the scientific realm wouldn’t change a thing for many religious Americans. Therefore, when it comes to homosexuality, I always find myself wondering: why not cut straight to the heart of the matter and debate how to interpret the Scriptures? At first, it would seem there isn’t much to discuss, but looks can be deceiving.
Certainly, I am not trying to discount the role science is playing in this debate. Mounting scientific evidence shows that sexual orientation has really nothing to do with choice, which has dramatically changed people’s perspectives. The new perspective being that if homosexuality is not a choice, then there can be no moral or spiritual fault.
Nevertheless, for many Americans, the debate over homosexuality begins and ends with the Old Testament, specifically Leviticus 18: “You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination.”
While this strict interpretation of the Scriptures is understandable, the problem with this stance is that Leviticus is full of frighteningly antiquated laws that hardly anyone who claims to be a Christian upholds today. For example, Leviticus deems those who have tattoos, short hair, shave, or eat pork to be in violation of the Old Testament (sorry all fellow Cal Poly students). Furthermore, Leviticus states that those who are physically handicapped should be banned from attending church or becoming part of the religious community. We as Christians no longer uphold any of these eccentric and unjust laws today; yet for some reason we stubbornly dig our heels in when it comes to enforcing Leviticus’ stance against gay people.
Some will point to the New Testament, specifically the writings of the Apostle Paul, to illustrate that homosexuality is a sin. However these writing are usually misinterpreted. Baptist Minister Oliver Thomas explains that: “Paul most likely is referring to the Roman practice of pederasty, a form of pedophilia common in the ancient world. The sort of long-term, committed, same-sex relationships that are being debated today are not addressed in the New Testament. It distorts the biblical witness to apply verses written in one historical context (i.e. sexual exploitation of children) to contemporary situations between two monogamous partners of the same sex.”
However, in the end it shouldn’t be misinterpretations of the New Testament, or our selective and hypocritical enforcement of the Old Testament that change people’s opinions about homosexuality. The teachings of Jesus should be what bring about these changes. Jesus made it clear to us in Matthew 7:1 that it is not our role to judge others, “not lest you be judged.” Furthermore, in Matthew 7:12 he taught us the golden rule by saying, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” It is these biblical passages that express the heart and soul of all of God’s laws and should therefore guide all our actions and interaction with others, including gay people.
Patrick Molnar is a business sophomore and Mustang Daily political columnist.