The New Testament and its influence on Homosexuality - Term Paper Example

?The New Testament and its influence on Homosexuality Introduction Homosexuality is a concept that can raise many mixed thoughts in our mind at its initial perception. Even though it is a reality, acceptance and acknowledgement of this sexual orientation of people is still is constrained. If defined, homosexuality is nothing but a sexual taste in which a gender prefers its own gender for sexual engagement. Romantic involvement, sexual desire or attraction between same sex people is called homo sexuality. Even in developed countries like United States and United Kingdom, homosexuality is not fully embraced by the society. Homosexuality is a most debated concept and has stirred many controversies among religious leaders, politicians, medical experts and social activists. Homosexuals like gays and lesbians are consistently viewed as extra – terrestrial and out of the world beings by many. The religious sacred book of Christians, which is Bible, is vaguely expressed it views regarding homosexuality and homosexuals. For the very same reasons, many Christians has conservative view about homosexuality. More specifically, since olden times, homosexuality was a tabooed sexual practice and changing its perception among people has been a extraneous task. 1“It is often stated that, Jesus never commented about homosexuality. A case can be made that he refers to gays in this verse. On the surface, the verse seems to condemn individuals who treat others with contempt and call them names”. The interpretation and views of New Testament of Bible and Jesus is of great concern in detailing this paper. 1.Robinson, . "Homosexual passages from the Christian Scriptures." Religious Tolerance. Accessed April 7, 2013. http://www.religio ustolerance.org/hom_bibc2.htm. The View of New Testament on Homosexuality The Bible is a religious scripture and is the foundation for Christianity around the world. Bible ‘s new testament has laid down certain principles regarding the human lifestyle ,ethical and moral standards one need to follow to prove to be god – loving person. Considering homosexuality, one can see that Bible points it to be a most abominable sin. Homosexuality is in no way regarded as a favorable sexual activity by Jesus or other prophets. Primarily, it is Moses who did condemn homosexuality and categorized it as a capital crime. Apart from him, Apostle Paul considered homosexuals worthy of death penalty. Even though homosexual behavior was seen among people of Bible era, these were practiced secretly, Homosexuality was seen as a social taboo and people looked at them as sinners and atrocious personalitites.The New Testament specifically accepts a marriage between a man and a woman as a perfect sexual union. It is detestable to engage in sexual activity between same sex people as it is against God and nature. Bible recommends that by natural selection men are supposed to unite with women and anything against it is sin and unspiritual behavior. The scripture label homosexuals as extremely lustful and immoral. There are of evil nature and does not fit into the category of law – abiding citizens. Homosexuals were stoned to death in Biblical era by God itself when he witnessed the same. Treating Homosexuals Then and Now Homosexual acts are considered to be extremely shameful according to Bible and these individuals are observed as immoral and sinners. The homosexuals were seen as indulgers of sin and were given death penalty or other punishments which were heinous. Homosexual acts are seen as ritual transgression and their blood is interpreted as guilty. Not only Bible, even Hebrew scripture view homosexuality as abomination. Both the parties involved in this unnatural act are given punishment without excuse. As prisons were absent in those days, capital punishment was the answer to all despicable crimes. It is described how Gods hate homosexuals and it is classified as a practice completely against natural law of God. 2“Whether or not a person accepts what the Bible says concerning this subject, he will have to admit that from the first mention of homosexual behavior to the last which is found in the Bible, there is no equivocation on the issue. The condemnation of that deviant sexual behavior is constant and complete”. Comparing to olden times much has not changed regarding the perception of people about homosexual act. Conservative Christians still regard homosexuals as sinners and treat them as lustful individuals. Christians treat homosexuals and look at them with despise and they are regarded as public nuisance and shame to the society. Even in case of children, who are gays or lesbians, the parents treat them with awe and concern. The modern society has not accepted homosexuals still except for a few. It is the enragement and positive voice of social activists and homosexual that has changed slightly the negative perception of this sexual orientation among people. 2.Clark, John D. "Homosexuality and the Bible." isaiah. Accessed April 8, 2013. http://www.isaiah58.com/broadcasters/homo.htm. Jesus about Homosexuality It is ironical but the word homosexual is not evident in New Testament and Jesus did not utter that word as we comprehend. Only the act of engaging in same sex was interpreted, whereas homosexuality as such could not be seen anywhere in old to New Testament. However, Jesus dis not have idealistic view about people engaging in same gender sex. Jesus has described homosexuals as “eunuch” from birth. They are seen as individuals with no gender identity and are considered with no sexual preferences and choices. Jesus does not believe them to be cursed by God and the four gospels are not specific on homosexuals. According to him, all living beings live under the mercy of God and all deserve love and guidance from him. It is evident from Bible that Jesus is neutral on this subject as he does not explain or detail on homosexuals or their sexual orientation. He was more direct on obeying God and loving him unconditionally. It could be said that, homosexual concepts were not known to people of Israel during era of Jesus Christ. For this very same reason, interpretation about homosexuality is not evident in Bible. Jesus states that all human should be treated equal irrespective of the way they live as he thinks all human have sinned at some point of their lives. He suggest that sinners should be advised and given chance to repent and avoid sin in future life. But social and ethical issue seen nowadays in world is far more inhumane than Christ’s word. Social and Ethical Implication on Homosexuality The ethical and social dilemma rest on the fact that homosexuality is a sin and is abhorred by religious scriptures and God. Until 1970s, homosexuality is viewed as a mental disorder and societies all over the world term it as a satanic activity. The society believes that homosexuality is sin and they are born unethical. Gays and lesbians are discriminated based on their sexual orientation which is seen as a defective genealogy or unethical birth quality. Christian religious leaders view gays and lesbians as sinners and lustful people who got strayed from religious path. Condoning same gender sex is a usual practice among general public in United States. Religious leaders and conservative Christians believe that homosexuality results in breakdown of real marriage concepts. Social life of homosexuals is in danger as many cultures and religions hardly accept them as normal people. Only two people in love from opposite gender are observed as ethical and moral by society around world. The ethical and social framework of homosexuality in the eyes of common men is still is of contradictory nature. From a moral dimension, this sexual attitude is perceived an illegitimate and socially destructive. The consciousness of people are so much deeply rooted in scriptures that they find it difficult to believe in scientific reasoning behind homosexual behavior. Social and ethical standards of people in today’s society regarding homosexuality are yet not welcoming. Conclusion Homosexuality is definitely a debateful subject, due to its controversial nature and taboo surrounding it around many cultures of the world. However, a surprising fact is that homosexuals existed even in ancient times, just like today and the difference is in its display in public and societal acceptance. As a matter of fact, all religious scriptures around the world prohibit same gender sex and rumor revolving around is definitely not in favor of gays and lesbians. The world renowned scripture Bible has strongly condemned any sexual activity outside opposite sex, but mention of homosexuality and same gender sex is not evident in it.. But conservative Christians adhere to the words of Jesus that a union between male and female is perfect and natural and rest all is seen as abomination and taboo. In this current era, homosexuals are getting more accepted as society has become more informative, scientific and educated .They understand same gender attraction is not psychological but a genetically dysfunctioning.Actually, when looking from medical perspective, the scientists has not yet discovered the reason behind homosexual behaviors in men and women. Homosexuals are what they are not by choice but by natural selection. Everybody has the right to live, and being sexually attracted to same sex due to genetic reason cannot be a logic denying human rights to them. Sexual orientation of individuals cannot be weighed when the question is about their survival, freedom and human rights. Based on religious scriptures, like Bible which is blind to homosexual concepts, one cannot discriminate people as it sounds to be a foolish and ignorant act. Read More