Who is this site for?
This site is for everyone.
And it is especially for gay men and lesbians who find a
conflict between their sexuality and their Christian faith.
Many gay men and lesbians feel that they are naturally
attracted to people of the same sex but they are told by
Christians that the Bible says that homosexuality is wrong.
What is the purpose of this site?
One purpose of this site is to show that homosexuality is
morally neutral as an orientation (same-sex attraction). In
other words, being sexually attracted to persons of the
same sex is no better or worse than being sexually
attracted to persons of the opposite sex.
Some men can deeply love, and be in love, with another
man just as other men can with women. Similarly, some
women can deeply love, and be in love, with another
woman. The important thing is the strong bond between
them and the mutual responsibility to love and take care
of each other. Their sexual activity is a secondary matter,
just as it is for male-female couples.
Another purpose of this site is to show that, if done with
caring love, homosexuality is morally correct as a sexual
activity.
How did this site come about?
The author of this site had noticed that a number of gay
people experienced conflicts between their religion
(mainly Christianity) and their sexuality, with some even
taking their own lives as a result. This led to years of
research about religion and sexuality, undertaken on the
internet and in religious books and journals. The
research was carried out with an open mind, not with the
aim of proving a pro-gay view. In fact, many pro-gay and
anti-gay views put forward by “experts” were rejected
because the views were illogical or based on false
assumptions. The aim here is for this site to be as
accurate, complete, logical and unbiased as possible.
Can you briefly summarize this site?
This site shows that the Bible’s condemnation of
homosexual activity (sex between men and sex between
women) does not apply today. This is because the
condemnation applied only to the ancient Israelite and
Greek-Roman cultures of Bible times. For those who do
not accept this culture argument, the condemnation does
not apply today when the sexual activity causes no harm.
Why does the Web address of this site contain
the words “gays and slaves”?
Because the types of arguments that many people now
use against gay persons are very similar to the types of
arguments used in the past to justify slavery.
Why is it important what the Bible says about
homosexual or same-sex acts?
Christians and Jews believe that one of the main aims of
living is to glorify God. This is done by following the Love
Commandments, i.e. by loving God totally and by loving
our neighbor as ourselves. In addition, God has given us
directions and principles in the Bible about things we
should or should not do in our lives.
Does the Bible condemn homosexuality?
- Homosexuality can mean either people being
attracted to others of the same sex (orientation) or
having sex with others of the same sex (activity).
- There is no actual reference in the Bible to
homosexuality, gay men or lesbians. The Biblical
references are to same-sex penetrative acts and
the people who commit them. These people were
not thought of as a different type of person (gay) but
just as ordinary people doing unusual sex acts.
Therefore any use of homosexuality, homosexual
or sodomites in a Bible version is a misleading
translation error*.
- *Examples of this error are:
sodomite Deut. 23:17 KJV (Correct as shrine prostitute
in NIV)
homosexuals, sodomites 1 Cor 6:9; NKJV
homosexual offenders 1 Cor 6:9; NIV
- Consequently there is no criticism or condemnation
in the Bible of –
- gay men or lesbians as types of people
- straight men or women who are attracted to or
love people of the same sex - homosexuality as a sexual orientation or as a
person-to-person social or emotional
relationship.
- The Bible has one criticism of sex between women
(lesbian, straight or bisexual) by calling it shameful
lusts and unnatural but does not say don’t do it.
The criticism seems to be based on how women’s
sex roles were seen in the Roman and Jewish
cultures of Biblical times (i.e. women should be
passive, not active, in sex). As the criticism is
culturally based, it does not apply today. More
details
- The Bible does not criticize or prohibit any form of
sex between men (including oral sex, deep kissing,
fondling and mutual masturbation) except for
voluntary or forced male-male penetration (anal
intercourse). As in other societies of Biblical times,
the prohibition is aimed at the man being
penetrated. This Biblical prohibition seems to be
mainly based on the cultural view that the
penetrated man is acting like a woman (instead of
like a man) in sexual intercourse. The male
penetrator is condemned for helping the penetrated
man to act like a woman. As the prohibition is
culturally based, it does not apply today. More
details
How many Biblical references are there to same-
sex acts?
There are 7 specific references in the Bible to sex acts
between men. There is only one specific reference to sex
acts between women. Details are in the next 2 answers.
What are the Old Testament references to sex
acts between men?
- The men of the city of Sodom tried to rape male
guests being sheltered by Lot. (Genesis 19:4-9)
Note that rape, not mutual consenting sex, is
referred to here. More details
- The men of the city of Gibeah tried to rape a male
guest being sheltered by an old man. (Judges 19:
20-25) Again note that rape, not mutual consenting
sex, is referred to here. More details
- God, through Moses, commanded the Israelites that
a man should not let another man sexually penetrate
him. The penalty for penetration (anal intercourse)
was death for both men. (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:
13). More details
What are the New Testament references to sex
acts between men and between women?
- In Romans 1:18-32, Paul tells what happened to
people who refused to glorify God. Their thinking
became distorted and they honored and served
created things (including idols) rather than God the
Creator. Therefore God allowed them to follow their
own lustful choices and dishonor their bodies.
Women and men changed from having male-female
sex and had female-female sex and male-male
penetrative sex instead. More details
- In 1 Corinthians 6:9 Paul states that certain types of
wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Among these are men who have sex with men.
Similarly in 1 Timothy 1:10 Paul states that the law
is made for lawbreakers such as men who have sex
with men. In each case, he is referring only to male-
male penetration, not to other forms of sex between
males. More details
How do these 7 Biblical references apply to
consenting sex between gay men?
None of these 7 references apply to mutually consenting
sex between men if the sexual activity is oral sex, deep
kissing, fondling or mutual masturbation. However if the
sex is male-male penetration, the prohibitions in Leviticus
and the implied condemnations in Romans, 1 Corinthians
and 1 Timothy did apply in New Testament times. The
Leviticus prohibitions applied because the decision of the
Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:28-29) resulted in the Old
Testament sexual conduct laws applying to Christians.
The next answer gives more details.
Why do the Old Testament sexual conduct laws
still apply to Christians?
The early church decided that non-Jews who became
Christians would have to follow some, but not all, of the
Old Testament (Jewish) laws. The non-Jewish Christians
were not to eat certain food and they were not to be
sexually immoral. Therefore they had to follow the Old
Testament laws on sexual conduct, including no incest,
adultery, bestiality or male-male penetration*. See Acts
15:13-30
- * Old Testament references are:
No incest Leviticus 18:6-18; 20:11-12, 14, 17, 19-21
No adultery Exodus 20:14 Leviticus 18:20; 20:10
No bestiality Leviticus 18:23; 20:15-16
No male-male penetration Leviticus 18: 22; 20:13
Although this site claims that the Old Testament laws on
male-male penetration no longer apply today (because
they applied only to the ancient Israelite and Greek-
Roman cultures and because of the no harm test) the
laws on incest, adultery and bestiality do indeed still apply
today (because they apply to all cultures and because of
the same test).
Does the Bible condemn gay sex acts other than
penetration?
The Bible contains no specific or general condemnation
of other sex acts between men (including oral sex, deep
kissing, fondling and mutual masturbation).
Does the Bible condemn lesbian sex acts?
Romans 1:26 contains the only reference in the Bible to
females having sex with females. Paul criticized sex
between females by calling it shameful lusts and
unnatural but did not forbid it here or anywhere else in his
speeches or letters. The criticism seems to be based on
how women’s sex roles were seen in the Roman and
Jewish cultures of Paul’s time (i.e. women should be
passive, not active, in sex). As the criticism is culturally
based, it does not apply today. More information
Why does this site refer to penetrative sex many
times?
This site has many references to male-male penetration
or penetrative sex between men because that is the only
aspect of “homosexuality” that the Bible prohibits or
criticizes. There is no reference to homosexual
orientation and no prohibition of non-penetrative sex
between men.
In turn, the Bible is concerned about penetrative sex
because that was how the Mediterranean cultures of
Bible times saw sex. Societies were thought of as being
divided into two groups – those who did the penetrating
(men) and those who were penetrated (women, slaves,
etc).
What did Jesus say about homosexuality?
There are no recorded words of Jesus on the topic of
same-sex orientation or same-sex activity. While we do
not know Jesus’ views on this topic, we can surmise his
probable views.
Jesus’ ideas on same-sex behavior would have been
partly formed by his Jewish background and religious
education. This would include his acceptance of male-
female sex as the usual practice and his knowledge of the
prohibition of full sex between males in Leviticus.
Therefore Jesus probably agreed with his culture’s view
that male-male penetration is bad. It is likely that his
views would have been expanded by the occupying
Greco-Roman culture, reinforcing his culture’s basic
values of purity and male honor. Hellenistic Jews around
Jesus’ time were hostile towards sex between males,
especially pederasty (man-boy relationships).
The Gospels report Jesus as saying very little about sex.
He did condemn adultery, illicit or immoral sex and sexual
debauchery (Mark 7:21-22) He also emphasized the
permanence of male-female marriage (Mark 10: 6-8)
while rejecting traditional family values (Luke 14:26 and
Matthew 12:47-49).
Jesus’ only implied reference to same-sex sexual activity
is its possible inclusion in his condemnation of illicit or
immoral sex (assuming that illicit sex is any sexual activity
condemned in the Old Testament). On the other hand, it
is possible that Jesus was referring to gay men when he
mentioned born eunuchs – without any condemnation
(Matthew 19:12). In Bible times, such men were
anatomically whole but were unable or unwilling to have
sex with women. They either were not at all interested in
sex or were interested but only with other men. It might be
noted that a man (like Jesus) in his early 30’s and
showing no interest in being married would be likely to be
called a born eunuch.
The reason that Jesus is “silent” on same-sex orientation
or same-sex activity could be because:
- he did not think it a relevant or important topic, or
- his public or intimate comments were consistent
with his Jewish culture and so were not worth
reporting to the Gospels’ audiences (who would
hold similar views), or - his views were edited out by the Gospel authors.
Whatever the reason, Jesus’ “silence” seems to show that
the topic of homosexuality was not of major importance in
God’s plan for humanity.
Doesn’t the Bible say that sex is only for
marriage?
- The Bible presents male-female marriage as the
usual pattern and implies that this is the best place
for sex. But the Bible does not prohibit or criticize
all sex outside male-female marriage. The Bible
simply says that certain kinds of sexual intercourse
(incest, adultery, bestiality, prostitution and male-
male penetration) are wrong *. These are forms of
fornication (illicit sexual intercourse).
- The parts of the Creation story in Genesis 1:28 and
2:24 explain why men and women get married and
have sex. These verses do not state or imply that
all sex must be between males and females, or that
all sex outside male-female marriage is wrong.
- In Jesus’ comments on divorce in Matthew 19:4-6,
he quoted the Genesis texts merely to show that
male-female marriage should be permanent. He
did not state or imply that sexual intercourse should
be restricted to male-female marriage only.
- Note that the Bible does not prohibit sex between
an unmarried man and an unmarried woman except
where incest is involved.
- * Bible references are:
Incest Leviticus 18:6-18; 20:11-12, 14, 17, 19-21
Adultery Exodus 20:14 Leviticus 18:20; 20:10
Bestiality Leviticus 18:23; 20:15-16
Prostitution 1 Corinthians 6:15-16
Male-male sex Leviticus 18: 22; 20:13 Romans 1:26-
27 1 Corinthians 6:9 1 Timothy 1:10
What about the view that God intended all sex to
be between males and females?
If God had intended, from Creation onwards, that sex be
only between males and females, one would expect that
the prohibition in Leviticus 18:22 on sex between males
would be accompanied by a similar prohibition on sex
between females. Since there is no prohibition on sex
between females, one can’t say that God intended that
sex be only between males and females.
This view is reinforced by the fact that same-sex sexual
activity has been documented in over 300 species of
animals made by God.
Can you comment on the references in the Bible
to having children?
Although the Bible states that God made Adam and Eve
(the first man and woman) and told them to multiply (have
sex and children), it does not state that every one must
marry and have sex and children. The most notable
Biblical example of a single man who had no sex or
children is Jesus.
What about the argument that male-male
penetration is wrong because God designed men
and women (but not people of the same sex) to
complement each other (Genesis 2:18 & 24)?
According to this argument, a man and a woman have
different anatomical features and natures thus allowing
their anatomical features (penis and vagina) to fit together
in sexual intercourse and their different natures to make
up for what their partner lacks. It is claimed that this is not
possible for two people of the same sex, who have the
same type of anatomical features and similar natures.
This argument fails because the parts still fit in male-male
penetration (penis and anus). Also, it is likely that gay
people choose complementary partners (“opposites
attract”) just as much as straight people. This could
include complementarity of natures, likes and dislikes,
attitudes, etc.
Other reasons for people in the past (and some people
today) seeing male-male penetration as wrong are
included in this page.
Can you comment on “God made Adam and Eve,
not Adam and Steve”?
Genesis 2:18-23 refers to the first woman (Eve) being
designed by God at the Creation to be a helper and a
companion to the first man (Adam). Some people say
this means that God did not make men to be companions
to men and women to be companions to women in
relationships.
However this is not a good argument against same-sex
relationships. First, the Bible does not say that people of
the same sex can’t be helpers and companions to each
other. In fact, Jesus had 12 men as his closest helpers
and companions.
Secondly, experience has shown that men can be just as
good companions and helpers to other men as women
are (although in a different way). Similarly, women can be
just as good companions and helpers to other women as
men are (again in a different way).
Why does it matter that the Bible says slavery is
okay?
The Biblical authors (Moses and Paul) who state that
owning other people as slaves is okay also condemned
male-male penetration. As we don’t accept their views
on the owning of slaves, we should question their views
condemning male-male penetration.
Slavery was a cultural matter in Biblical times and is no
longer accepted in modern cultures. Similarly the Biblical
condemnation of male-male penetration was a cultural
matter in those times as it was mainly based on the view
that men should not act like women in sexual intercourse
and it was also associated with the raping of defeated
enemy soldiers. Both of these bases were cultural and
are no longer considered relevant in modern cultures
(although they are still accepted by some people). More
information
Why is it okay to change our minds about
homosexuality?
This is okay because God is continuing to reveal himself
and his purposes for us. For example, God tells us that
he is doing a new thing (Isaiah 43:19). Sometimes God
seems to allow our cultural institutions to continue for a
long time, then he makes changes. An example is that,
under God’s guidance and revelation, many Christian
people’s attitude to slavery changed in the 18th and 19th
centuries from being pro-slavery to anti-slavery. Similarly,
under God’s guidance and revelation, many Christian
people’s attitude to homosexuality is now changing from
being anti-gay to pro-gay.
The church is now in a similar position to that faced by
churches in the 18th and 19th centuries over the question
of slavery. Then the churches had to take no notice of the
Biblical endorsement of slavery in order to free human
beings. Now churches should similarly take no notice of
the Biblical condemnation of penetrative sex between
men when it causes no harm. This can be justified by
Saint Paul’s view that “The commandments … are
summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor”. (Romans
13: 9-10)
God’s continuing revelation of himself comes primarily by
the Holy Spirit guiding scholarship and revealing new
Biblical insights. Over the years this has led to much of
the Christian church setting aside various Biblical
commands, including not charging interest on loans, not
ordaining women, not remarrying divorcees, and allowing
slavery.
How is the Bible interpreted on this site?
- It is assumed that the Bible is literally true and
reliable and that God inspired its authors.
- A verse or passage is interpreted by working out its
plain meaning in its grammatical, historical, social
and cultural contexts. This assumes that an author
wanted his audience to understand what he was
writing.
- Also note is made of the author’s intent, whether the
text is liturgical, legal, prose, poetry, etc, and the
book’s purpose e.g. Genesis is mythic but not a
scientific text.
- The interpretation of a verse or passage takes into
account the historical and cultural setting of both the
writer and his original audience.
- The Bible is assumed to be internally consistent
with one verse sometimes modifying another verse.
- The relevance of a verse or passage for us today is
found partly by comparing its background and
culture to our current world and society structure.
This enables us to apply as fully as possible the
moral point of the Biblical teaching. This was done
by Jesus when he said “You have heard that it was
said …., but I say to you …” (Matthew 5:21-48)
- The views of various Christian commentators and
scholars are often taken into account when
interpreting the Bible for this site. However other
sources extending or changing the Bible’s meaning,
such as the Talmuds, are not taken into account.
- The above interpretative method is partly based on
principles in Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women by
Willard M. Swartley, 1983.
Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament
laws?
Christians don’t have to obey the Old Testament laws as
a complete code. However they should obey any Old
Testament commands specifically adopted in the New
Testament by Jesus, Paul or the other apostles. (This is in
addition to obeying the new commands and principles
given in the New Testament).
Note that the moral and ethical aspects of the Old
Testament laws do offer a good guide as to how one’s
life should be lived according to God’s will, especially by
doing good and refraining from evil. Also the New
Testament references to obeying certain commands of
the Old Testament emphasize doing good because we
love God and our neighbor instead of just following the
letter of the law.
Also note that the references to male-male penetration in
the New Testament are not commands but simply
describe situations implying that such penetration is
wrong.
What are the criteria for a good sexual
relationship?
The criteria for a good sexual relationship include that the
relationship be consensual, loving (mutual care and
concern), faithful, committed, equal, monogamous, non-
incestuous, and non-harmful.
If a person does not accept the Bible as a guide
for daily living, how does that person decide
what to do?
The person should love (care for) other people, not harm
them, and treat them as he or she would like to be treated.
Why do some people dislike the whole topic of
homosexuality?
It is claimed that many straight people have a natural,
inborn distaste for the idea of same-sex attraction and
feel disgusted at its sexual expression, especially male-
male penetration.
Also some people think that many gay men are
effeminate or weak (sissies). Further, both gay men and
lesbians are often seen as unnatural or outsiders (they
are others – not us). This is compounded by fear of the
unknown or of difference.
In many cases, these feelings and views are the result of
culture and upbringing and style. As a song from “South
Pacific” states : “You’ve got to be taught to love and hate
before you are six or seven or eight. To hate all the
people your relatives hate, you’ve got to be carefully
taught.”
Why are there gay people?
It seems that God has created some people who are
attracted to people of the same sex and some people
who are attracted to the opposite sex. This is similar to
God creating both left-handed and right-handed people.
Why God does this we don’t know.
How does homosexuality compare to left-
handedness?
The following table compares homosexuality (same-sex
orientation) and left-handedness, including attitudes
towards both.
Partly based on: John A. Hamill, “Dexterity and Sexuality: Is
There a Relationship?”, Journal of Homosexuality, v.28 no.3,
1995, p.375–396
Also partly based on a table here.
In summary, some people’s current attitudes to
homosexuality are very similar to past attitudes to left-
handedness, which are no longer accepted as correct.
What are some of the things which the Bible
does not say about homosexuality?
- Homosexuality (sexual orientation) is wrong and
sinful (this is false)
- Homosexuality is a disordered condition (this is
false)
- Gay men and lesbians are condemned (this is
false)
- Oral sex, mutual masturbation, etc between men is
sinful (this is false)
- Sex between women is sinful (this is false)
- No sex outside marriage (this is false)
- Marriage is only for creating children (this is false)
- Only men and women can complement each other
and have a fulfilled relationship (this is false)
What should gay and lesbian people do to find
happiness and contentment?
People should first accept themselves as they are. If they
have heard and believe the Christian message, they
should then follow Jesus. If not, they should live the best
ethical lives they can.
What does the Bible say about same-sex
attraction and love?
The Bible accepts and has positive stories of same-sex
emotional attraction and deep friendship. For example
Jesus and the disciple he loved, David and Jonathan, and
Ruth. As far as we know, these loving relationships were
not sexual and there was no sexual attraction.
How accurate are internet sites and books and
articles about homosexuality and the Bible?
When you see an internet site or read a book or article
about homosexuality and the Bible, be very critical and
skeptical about what you see. Many pro-gay and anti-gay
authors make lots of assumptions and spin the facts to
“prove” what they want to prove, not what is the truth.
Their distortions are then passed on by others who think
that the distortions are the truth.
The most common spin is to claim that the Bible doesn’t
prohibit or criticize modern loving same-sex activity at all.
This is done, for example, by claiming that the Leviticus
verses only referred to sex with male cultic prostitutes.
Another example is claiming that the Romans verse
mainly refers to sex as part of idol worship. In reality,
these verses refer to all anal sex between men (but do not
apply to men today).
Therefore read the Bible verses about same-sex activity*
in various versions for yourself (especially the New
American Standard Bible and Young’s Literal
Translation) and try to work out what they really mean.
The other pages on this site should help you do this.
* Genesis 19:4-9, Judges 19:20-25, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13,
Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:9-10
The following articles go deeper into this question:
Hermeneutical Issues In The Use Of The Bible To Justify
The Acceptance Of Homosexual Practice
(This article has many good points but I disagree with its
final conclusion that homosexual practice is morally
wrong).
Reading Strategies for Biblical Passages on Same-Sex
Relations
A Reformed Response to Daniel Helminiak's Gay
Theology
A Further Look at Pro-Homosexual Theology
How accurate is this site?
The views expressed on this site have been formed after
years of research (on the internet and in religious books
and journals), thought, prayer and God’s guidance. The
research was carried out with an open mind and many
pro-gay and anti-gay views were rejected (see the “False
Views” parts of the Sodom, Moses, Romans and
Corinthians pages of this site). Care has been taken to
be as accurate, complete, logical and unbiased as
possible. However the views are those of one person
(with assistance from his sister) and there will still be
some unintended bias.
You are invited to use the information on this site to help
you come to your own conclusions.
Why does this site have few references and
footnotes?
Actually this site has more references and footnotes than
first appears. Where a point or quote is made from the
Bible or other book or article, references are given either
at that spot or elsewhere on the site where the quote is
repeated. Similarly where a point or quote is made from
another site, a link is given to that site.
Some background statements (e.g. cultural attitudes of
Biblical times) have been obtained from many sources
and are not individually sourced. And, of course, some
arguments and deductions are original to this site.
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