15 June 2016

Which is more anti-gay, the Bible or the Quran?

The Bible and the Quran agree on many things. So you might expect them to agree about homosexuality as well. And they do. Both condemn it. But which is more anti-gay?

There are only eight passages in the Quran that deal with homosexuality, and they all refer to the same story: the story of Sodom, in which the men of the city desired to have sex with Lot's male visitors, whereupon Lot (Allah's "righteous slave") offered them his daughters instead.

  1. And Lot! (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination such as no creature ever did before you? Lo! ye come with lust unto men instead of women. Nay, but ye are wanton folk. 7:80-81

  2. And when Our messengers came unto Lot, he was distressed and knew not how to protect them. He said: This is a distressful day. And his people came unto him, running towards him - and before then they used to commit abominations - He said: O my people! Here are my daughters! They are purer for you. Beware of Allah, and degrade me not in (the person of) my guests. Is there not among you any upright man? 11:77-78

  3. And when the messengers came unto the family of Lot ... He said: Lo! they are my guests. Affront me not! ... He said: Here are my daughters, if ye must be doing (so). 15:61-71

  4. We rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for (all) peoples. ... Lot we gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd. And We brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous. 21:71-75

  5. What! Of all creatures do ye come unto the males, And leave the wives your Lord created for you? Nay, but ye are froward folk. 26:165-166

  6. And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? Must ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly. 27:54-55

  7. Lot ... is among the righteous ... (Remember) when he said unto his folk: Lo! ye commit lewdness such as no creature did before you. For come ye not in unto males. 29:26-29

  8. Noah and ... Lot, who were ... two of Our righteous slaves. 66:10

The Bible, of course, includes the same story about Sodom, and it agrees with the Quran about Lot: he was a just and righteous man. (Even though later in the same chapter of Genesis, Lot gets drunk and impregnates his two virgin daughters.)

But the Bible is less clear about the nature of Sodom's sin. Was it homosexuality, inhospitality, pride, wealth, laziness, or ignoring the needs of the poor? The Bible doesn't say.

There are only five passages in the Bible that deal clearly and specifically with homosexuality. Here they are in Biblical order:

  1. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Leviticus 18:22

  2. 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

  3. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ... Wherefore … God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another. God gave them over to a reprobate mind … Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful … they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans 1:20-32

  4. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God …. neither fornicators ... nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind … shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

  5. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:9-10

So the Bible agrees with the Quran that homosexuality is an abomination. But it goes much further than that. The Old Testament commands believers to kill homosexuals (at least sexually active gay men) and the New Testament says that all homosexuals are all "worthy of death."

Maybe that's why some Christian terrorists celebrated the Orlando gay nightclub massacre.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

How The Vatican Created Islam - Former Jesuit Priest, Alberto Rivera
http://themillenniumreport.com/2015/12/how-the-vatican-created-islam-by-former-jesuit-priest-alberto-rivera/

Unknown said...

Seems like the bible is much less concerned with lesbians than gay men. I wonder why?

And of course, there is no mention of transsexuals, so by default, that is not a sin, right?