God, Gays & Evangelicals

by alice.in.wonderland 82 Replies latest social relationships

  • streets76
    streets76

    I wonder whether Paul was gay?

    Of course he was. Just like every gay-bashing-FamilyValues-evangelical-rightwing-Republican-preacher/politician whose hypocracy periodically pops up in the news. These guys are self-loathing in the extreme.

    And speaking of the Beatles, "Imagine" (though technically not a Beatles song) is worth more than any of Paul's drivel.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento
    Whoa, wait a minute, PSacramento, which group of "ancient man" are you referring to???

    We were talking about the bible so I was referring to the writers of the bible.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    Paul was NOT gay, nor is their any indication that he was.

    He was however a strict Pharisee before his conversion and they were he "law keepers" of the OT and OC so it makes sense that many of his "legal" views were very pharisical.

  • JimmyPage
    JimmyPage

    Cofty, you bring up some really great points about the real possibility that Paul was gay.

    Streets, "Imagine" is a great song, but the lyrics came from Yoko as much as they did from John. And Paul wrote some great songs himself, including "Hey Jude", "Let It Be", and "Yesterday".

  • keyser soze
    keyser soze
    I wonder whether Paul was gay?

    I doubt it. I always had my suspicions about George, though.

  • leavingwt
    leavingwt
    And speaking of the Beatles, "Imagine" (though technically not a Beatles song) is worth more than any of Paul's drivel.

    How about a compromise, and we say "most" of Paul's drivel. Let's face it, McCartney could create some beautiful melodies. His lyrics, however, were rarely in the same league as Lennon's.

    Thankfully, for all of us, the COMBINATION of those guys' creativity was awesome. Rarely ever did any of their solo work reach the quality of the best Beatles music. (The exceptions, IMHO, are 'Imagine' and 'Maybe I'm Amazed'.)

  • Caedes
    Caedes

    Why Can't I Own a Canadian?

    October 2002

    Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

    Dear Dr. Laura:

    Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

    When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

    I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

    I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

    Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

    I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

    A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

    Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

    Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

    I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

    My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

    I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

    From http://www.humanistsofutah.org/2002/WhyCantIOwnACanadian_10-02.html

  • keyser soze
    keyser soze
    I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

    That one made me spew.

  • garyneal
    garyneal

    Well, I've tried locating that letter but it seems I have lost it.

    I can e-mail him to see if he still has it but it looks like you all have the gist of it.

    A few points I remember from his letter:

    • What Paul did not know about human sexuality could fill volumes of books now.
    • Paul was not called to talk about human sexuality, he was called to preach the Gospel. That Gospel is GOOD NEWS.
    • Who amongst believers (or unbelievers) today would follow the old laws concerning owning slaves, putting your first born to death, etc.?
    • Galations 3:28 could also apply to 'no gay or straight.'
    • King David was a petty oriental despot and yet the Bible refers to him as being after God's heart. If God's amazing grace can apply to David, why can it not also apply to a gay episcipol bishop?

    His letter was in response to the uproar that occurred when the Episcopal church annointed a gay man as a bishop sometime around 2003 to 2004. It caused quite a stir in our little 'city of churches.'

  • VoidEater
    VoidEater

    Paul was NOT gay, nor is their any indication that he was.

    Not to be rude, you know I appreciate you PS - but really is there any indication that he was straight? Isn't it more accurate that the source is entirely mute on the subject and we get to inject our own biases onto him? Sure we can play the odds and say he was likely "straight" (as if we can apply our modern cultural definitions so broadly), but we can also interpret his body of work and say he was a Stoic aesthete who rejected sexuality from a philosophical point. Indeed, he said much more against straight sex and raising a family than qualified anti-gay statements.

    Band on the Run is a stylistic triumph! Even Ram, as uneven as it may be, should be considered a highwater mark. But the magic of Paul in the group is transcendant. I hold him in high esteem, though, for captaining his own destiny and gladly eat up most of his output.

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