Here is the verse:
If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:13
How many Bible believers still believe that this verse was inspired by God? How many would be willing to do what it so clearly says to do?
Even Bob Jones III is now embarrassed by Leviticus 20:13. This wasn't always the case, however. Here's what he said in 1980:
It would not be a bad idea to bring the swift justice today that was brought in Israel's day against murder and rape and homosexuality. I guarantee it would solve the problem posthaste if homosexuals were stoned.In his recent apology to Bob Jones University, he had this to say:
Upon now reading these long-forgotten words, they seem to me as words belonging to a total stranger—were my name not attached. ... The Bible I love, preach, and try to practice, does not present today the stoning of sinners as God’s way.But the statement that he makes in his apology is simply not true. As long as Leviticus 20:13 remains in the Bible, the Bible does "present today the stoning of sinners as God’s way."
It's time for believers to admit that Leviticus 20:13 was not inspired by God. It was never a good idea to stone homosexuals. It is wrong today, it was wrong in 1980, and it was wrong when the verse was first written.
Any book that contains an idea like that expressed in Leviticus 20:13 is not a good book. Why not begin the process of making it one by removing this evil verse?
It would, at least, be a good place to start.
2 comments:
Maybe we should just trim the whole thing down to Thomas Jefferson's little book.
;-)
Steve Weeks
Yes, Steve. I'm suggesting that we do pretty much the same thing Thomas Jefferson did more than 200 years ago. Except that his bible (he never actually called it that) was for for his own use; he knew Christians at the time would never go along with it.
But times have changed. Christians are now embarrassed by many of the verses in the bible. I think it's time that they do something about it.
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