Backtracking: Sodom and Gomorrah as a defense for keeping gay marriage illegal?

So instead of doing a typical format for this section's modern day perspective I have decided to backtrack. I am finding that the Bible is packed full of content, some of which can be interpreted in any kind of way, so it takes me a while to digest certain things.

The topic of gay marriage has been at the forefront of civil rights legislation in the last 10 years, and recently some of my friends were talking about the issue of gay marriage so I decided I would share my thoughts now...

First of all I'm not sure if I believe the government should have the place to determine who can get married, but since we live in this world I'll go with the bit. Second of all God made everyone, that includes homosexuals. Now I am not clear on the science behind sexuality. I personally think it is complicated and that different people come into their sexuality at different times in life, so sexuality can be genetic and environmentally influenced. After all how do you explain that some people are sure of their sexuality when they're 4 and it takes other people until they're 16?

But in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, men were married to women and sleeping with men after dark, in secret, as a lie. When the men came to Lot's house they essentially wanted to rape the angels that were disguised as men. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were also non-believers who were committing every sin under the sun. Men having sex with other men is not the only thing that made Sodom a wicked place. The circumstances are very specific. The deceit, lack of faith, and adultery among other things displeased God.

When it comes to applying The Ten Commandments to the issue one could argue that gay people would not be commiting adultery if they could get married. The right to get married is in legislative control, even though the argument is religious, which makes no sense. If the constitution promises equal protection and due process, then technically as soon as people were able to get married in a court house, gay people should have been able to get married. You can't apply religion to the way the country operates when you feel like it. It's all or nothing.

Mind you all of this is in the Old Testement before Jesus came to the rescue. And working under the assumption that all sin is equal, I don't understand why society is treating homosexuality like the ultimate sin. Gossiping, stealing, killing, and disprespecting your parents are all on that same level. So is it a good defense? In the year 2010 in my opinion, no. But is homosexuality by itself a sin? Well I'm going to have to keep reading...

I may return to this topic in the future. Feel free to comment.

Exodus Chapter 1-19

What I got: God is going to test you. How bad do you want it?

Thoughts: God tried the Israelites and the Egyptians so that they would have no doubt that he is the Lord. God hardened Pharoah's heart to test the Egyptians and the Israelites. He sent locusts, plague, frogs, gnats, flies, hail, boils, and darkness, yet the Egyptians still did not do right by the Israelites. As a matter of fact the Isralites were so afraid they were willing to stay oppressed than believe that their freedom was in God's will. This is proof that life without avdersity and oppression does not exist, but radical faith can conquer anything. But by listening to Moses, God's servant, and listening to God, by heeding to his signs they became his anointed people.

Questions: If a burning bush was talking to you, would you listen? If a staff turned into a snake would that make you believe? Would you still question the Lord if he drew water from a rock? What does it take for you to believe and listen?

Looking forward: Since I am a week off schedule I will be finishing the book of Exodus and doing a new post by the end of this week so I can move on to Leviticus next week. The 10 Commandments are in the next section so this should be interesting!

Modern Perspectives: If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it

 In the Bible men offered gold, precious stones, land, and livesotck to prove themselves worthy of the women they desired. When a man saw a woman he wanted he did not sit by and wait for her to make the first move, he wooed her! Jacob worked for Leah and Rachel's father for several years to get Rachel as his wife.  There was romance in the pursuit of wooing a women and men wanted wives, not only to reproduce, but to also be their friends, helpers, and lovers. Men also listened to God in selecting a mate, making sure that the person was who God intended for them. Which brings me to the question: Where did the concept of a dowry come from? A dowry is defined as the money, gifts, and goods a wife brings to her husband at marriage. This has to be a somewhat modern, man made concept to drive women crazy. I mean when did it get so bad that the roles were reversed?

Genesis 25-50

What I got: What goes around comes around.

Thoughts: There is power in prophecy and God speaks to us in our dreams. Joseph's brothers laughed at him when he told them they would bow down to him one day. Then when there were seven years of famine he was ruler of all of Egypt and ruler over them. He was also very gracious and wanted the best for them, even though they sold him into slavery.

Questions: Do Christians believe there are modern day prophets? Are there people today who have the gift of divine foresight?

Looking Forward: Exodus is coming next, which means the birth of Moses and the Ten Commandments. I now have a better understanding of how the Israelites became oppressed by the Egyptians, but I am looking forward to learning more.

Modern Perspectives: Heirs as numerous as the stars

With all the craze and worry over fertility everyone from book publishers to Hollywood film houses are cashing in on reproduction. Men and women in the Bible had children in their hundreds. Now I understand that in modern times people are not having children at 125 years old, BUT what God has for you will be yours. God does not think any less of women who do not reproduce, think about Abraham's wife Sarah. Sarah did not have Isaac until she was over 90 years old, and she was still blessed and highly favored. So before you make a switch or a back-up plan (all puns intended) understand reproductive organs are not the only reason why God loves us.

Thoughts on this?

Genesis Chapters 1-24

What I got: Do what the Lord says and He will provide.

Thoughts: People in the Bible exhibited such radical faith from sacrificing their families to uprooting themselves whenever the Lord asked it of them. That is amazing to me. Abraham is such an inspiration of what faith will do for your life and the lives of those around you. Abraham's clan was blessed by relation and that was enough.

Question: Was "pangaea" referenced in the Bible? There is a section in Genesis talking about the earth being divided. I wonder if that was geographical or just a reference to different people being spread over the land...

Looking forward: The Bible is like a really good movie set up. It's like you're given all these references in the beginning and you have to be patient to see how it will play out.