quote:
Originally posted by Matter-eater Man:
OK heres an example of the other way to interpet the Bible. The sin of Sodom wasn't homosexuality but inhospitality.

The book does a better detailed job but hopefully my attempt to paraphrase a bit of it didn't mangle it to much.
If GENESIS 19 and 20 were the only mention of homosexuality, I might say unlikely, but maybe.

But in the context of, and cross-reference with, the rest of the Bible, it is clear that homosexuality itself is what God condemns, to the point that it marks a civilization for destruction when it becomes prevalent.

"Lack of hospitality" is not the reason God destroyed Sodom and Gommorah. The reason for the destruction of these cities was well known in ancient times, and it is clear to any who are not homosexual what that reason is. Sodomy. Wanting to rape the very angels who came to save Lot and his family.

It was not "inhospitality" that compelled God to make the crater of these destroyed cities the lowest point on the planet Earth.
There are no other crimes listed in this portion of Genesis, other than men sleeping with men, and men raping men, or attempting to.
I'm frankly amazed at the level of denial here, to verses plainly stated.

quote:
Genesis 19:1-5:

1 The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.
2 "My lords," he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."
"No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."

3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.
4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom-both young and old-surrounded the house.
5 They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."