Some people use 2 verses in the Biblical book of Leviticus to
say that homosexuality and homosexuals are bad.
The facts are:
- The 2 verses do not refer to homosexuality as an
orientation, or to homosexuals, or to any sex between
men except for penetration.
- In one verse, God, through Moses, commanded the
Israelites that a man must not have sex with a male as
a woman would. (Leviticus 18:22)
- This means that a man should not allow himself to be
anally penetrated by another man. In other words,
men should not let other men do it to them.
- The second verse repeats the prohibition and adds
that the penalty for men penetrating men was death
for both the men. (Leviticus 20:13)
- However, the prohibition on men penetrating men in
these 2 verses does not apply to straight, bisexual and
gay men today because:
(a) it was a cultural prohibition of that time, and
(b) no harm is done if the persons act with love
and care.
- Notes on, and literal translations of, Leviticus 18:22
and Leviticus 20:13.
- How we know that Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13
prohibit only penetrative intercourse between men.
- Reasons for this prohibition on men penetrating men
and false views about the prohibition.