Isn't the Bible pretty clear that gay marriage is wrong?

by Ling
(southeast USA)

Rick Brentlinger Answers -

I think you've asked a fair question which deserves an unequivocal response. The answer is NO, to be perfectly honest, the Bible is not clear that gay marriage is wrong. None of the Bible passages alleged to condemn gay marriage was addressing the topic of gay marriage. Our basic rule of hermeneutics (how we interpret the Bible) is:

Scripture cannot mean now
what it did not mean then.
If the Bible was not addressing the topic of gay marriage then when it was originally written, the Bible is not addressing the topic of gay marriage now.

1. Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 - about the marriage of Adam and Eve - is not about gay marriage.
   
   
2. Genesis 19 - about the men of Sodom attempting to gang rape angels - is not about gay marriage.
   
   
3. Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 - about shrine prostitution - is not about gay marriage.
   
   
4. Deuteronomy 23:17-18 - about shrine prostitution - is not about gay marriage.
   
   
5. Matthew 5 and 19 and Mark 10 - where Jesus discusses divorce - are not about gay marriage.
   
   
6. Romans 1:26-27 is not about gay marriage.
   
   
7. 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 - where Paul alludes to rape and dealers in sexual slaves - are not about gay marriage.
   
   
8. Jude 5-7 - where Jude condemns sex with angels - is not about gay marriage.

"Scripture only settles matters
about which it speaks plainly."

-Richard Hooker, 1554-1600,
Anglican theologian

It is dishonest to rip verses out of context as most anti-gay Christians do and attempt to deceive GLBTs by alleging the out of context verse addresses something it never addressed in context, gay marriage.

Honest people don't misuse scripture that way.