"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3: 20

Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch + Archdiocese of the Western USA

The issue of homosexual behavior has had a lot of publicity of late. Homosexuals say that the slaves have been freed and women have been liberated, so gay rights are long overdue. Society does seem to be moving in that direction. Many homosexuals are "coming out" and openly declaring their homosexuality. In many parts of the western world, homosexual couples receive the same recognition as heterosexual couples with regard to social security benefits. Some church leaders are giving their blessing to homosexual relationships, homosexual church members and even homosexual ministers.

Many homosexuals' claim that...

They are made that way.

Homosexuality is of no harm to the participants or to anyone else.

If it feels right to those involved, it is nobody else's business.

Homosexual relationships and heterosexual relationships are equally valid. (Some even claim that the Bible condones homosexual relationships.)

Made that way?

Since other groups who have been discriminated against (such as women, blacks and the disabled) have been given equal opportunity, homosexuals claim that they, too, should be liberated. However, as one Christian expert has said...

"Gender, race and impairment all relate to what a person is, whereas homosexuality relates to what a person does."1

In contrast, homosexuals claim that scientific studies have shown that there is a biological basis for homosexuality.

Three main studies are cited by "gay rights" activists in support of their argument2—Hamer's X-chromosome research,3 LeVay's study of the hypothalamus,4 and Bailey and Pillard's study of identical twins who were homosexuals.5

In all three cases, the researchers had a vested interest in obtaining a certain outcome because they were homosexuals themselves. More importantly, their studies did not stand up to scientific scrutiny by other researchers. Also, "the media typically do not explain the methodological flaws in these studies, and they typically oversimplify the results".6 There is no reliable evidence to date that homosexual behavior is determined by a person's genes.

To the extent that biological or social factors may contribute to a person's bent toward homosexual behavior, this does not excuse it. Some people have a strong bent towards stealing or abuse of alcohol, but they still choose to engage or not engage in this behavior—the law rightly holds them accountable.

The final report of the Baptist Union of Western Australia (BUWA) Task Force on Human Sexuality states 'that a person becomes a homosexual ultimately by choosing to be involved in same-sex activity... This is in contrast to innate characteristics such as gender and ethnicity.'7 The report affirms that 'the Bible is clear that sin involves choice, and it unequivocally condemns homosexual behavior as sin'.7

The foundational teaching on marriage and sexual issues is found in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. When Jesus was questioned about marriage, He referred to these 2 chapters (Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12). Genesis teaches us that 'male and female He created them' (Genesis 1:27). We were created to a plan—male and female complementing each other. That is, God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, nor Madam and Eve.

Genesis also teaches that God instituted and designed marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18-25). There are a number of reasons why He did so.

The complementary structure of the male and female anatomy is obviously designed for the normal husband-wife relationships. Clearly, design in human biology supports heterosexuality and contradicts homosexuality.
The combination of male and female enables man (and the animals) to produce and nurture offspring as commanded in Genesis 1:28—'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth'. This command is repeated to Noah after the Flood (Genesis 8:15-17). But procreation is not the only reason God made humans as sexual beings. The BUWA report affirms 'that sexual intimacy between husband and wife is good, and is intended by God for bonding, pleasure and procreation.'7
Thirdly, God gave man and woman complementary roles in order to strengthen the family unit. Woman was to be the helper that man needed (Genesis 2:18). However, the woman's role as the helpmate is certainly not an inferior one. The enterprising God-fearing woman in Proverbs 31:10-31 is an inspiring role model.

No harm?

Andrew Lansdown points out that 'homosexual activity is notoriously disease-prone. In addition to diseases associated with heterosexual promiscuity, homosexual actions facilitate the transmission of anal herpes, hepatitis B, intestinal parasites, Kaposi's Sarcoma and AIDS.'1 Research on the life expectancy of a group of homosexual men in Canada in the early 1990s indicated that they could expect 8-21 years less lifespan than other men.8

Effect on others

Secular psychologists assure us that 'children raised in lesbian and gay households are similar to children raised in heterosexual households on characteristics such as intelligence, development, moral judgments, self-concepts, social competence and gender identity'.6 The humanists have, however, forgotten one important ingredient.

'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it' (Proverbs 22:6).

You cannot faithfully teach God's Word to your children while living a lifestyle specifically condemned by God's Word. All Christians are sinners forgiven by God's grace, but living in a homosexual relationship constitutes habitual, unrepented sin.

Nobody else's business?

Gay activists claim that homosexual activity is nobody's business other than those involved in the relationship. However, this is not true. God, our Designer and Creator, has authority over all aspects of our lives. He makes the rules, and He quite specifically forbids homosexual behavior.

'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination' (Leviticus 18:22; see also Leviticus 20:13).

Disobedience of such a clear command indicates rejection of God's authority.

Some people argue that the Old Testament law (including Leviticus 18 and 20) was superseded with the coming of Christ. However, we should at least consider as binding those aspects of the law that are renewed in the New Testament. The teaching of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 was certainly reaffirmed in the New Testament.

Equally valid?

Some people claim that homosexual behavior was only condemned in the Bible because it was associated with idolatry (e.g. 1 Kings 14:24). However, it is clearly condemned apart from idolatry as well (e.g. Leviticus 18:22). It is described in Scripture as an unnatural, immoral perversion.

'For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another...' (Romans 1:26-27).

The Greek word arsenokoitai used in 1 Timothy 1:10 literally means 'men who sleep with men'. It is the same Greek word used for 'homosexual offender' in 1 Corinthians 6:9, variously translated as 'abusers of themselves with mankind' (KJV), homosexuals (NASB) or homosexual offender (NIV).

Some people claim that the sin involved in Sodom was rejecting hospitality customs or selfishness rather than homosexual behaviour. Certainly, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was great and their reported sin was grievous to God (Genesis 18:20). God sent angels to Sodom and...

'Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have sex with them”' (Genesis 19:4-5).

"While it is true that the Hebrew word yadha does not necessarily mean 'to have sex with,' nonetheless in the context of Sodom and Gommorah, it clearly had this meaning. ...It means 'to know sexually' in this very chapter when Lot refers to his two daughters not having 'known' a man (19:8)."9 You would not offer virgins to appease a mob if their sin was lack of hospitality, but only if their desire was sexual.

Although Ezekiel 16:49 condemns Sodom for its selfishness with regard to poverty etc., this does not contradict its condemnation for homosexual practices. "The very next verse of Ezekiel (v. 50) calls their sin an "abomination". This is the same Hebrew word used to describe homosexual sins in Leviticus 18:22."10

It is also used in Scripture to describe such things like the practice of offering children to Moloch, but never such things as mere selfishness or lack of hospitality. Even in legal parlance, the word used to refer to one aspect of homosexual practice is 'sodomy'.

Another argument is that Jonathon and David were homosexuals as 'Jonathan “loved” David (1 Sam. 18:3), that Jonathan stripped in David's presence (18:4), [and] that they kissed each other (20:41)'.11

However, 'David's “love” for Jonathan was not sexual (erotic) but a friendship (philic) love. And Jonathan did not strip himself of all his clothes, but only of his armor and royal robe (1 Sam. 18:4).'12 Also, a kiss was a normal greeting in that day, such as when Judas kissed Jesus. In several cultures today, men normally greet each other with a kiss, too. Further, David's love for his wives, especially Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), clearly reveals his heterosexual orientation.

Isaiah 56:3 states that eunuchs will not be excluded from God's presence ('my temple'), but practising homosexuals are not eunuchs. Eunuchs have no sexual relations at all.

Other scriptural arguments for homosexuality can similarly be easily refuted. It is clear that heterosexual marriage is the only form of marriage sanctioned in the Bible and that homosexual practice is always condemned.

Punishment

The Bible not only describes homosexual behavior as detestable, but it also calls for the punishment of those involved (Leviticus 20:13). Their unrepentant attitude caused God to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25).

Just as homosexual conduct has been punished in the past, so it will also be punished by God in the future.

"...Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

Hope

However, there is hope for the homosexual. God forgives and cleanses a person who repents and turns from their sin, including the sin of homosexual behavior (1 Corinthians 6:11). As well as forgiveness, God's grace brings with it the power to live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 6:6-7). If repentance and reform are genuine, prior homosexual actions should not be a bar to church membership or ministry, as all Christians are reformed sinners.

'Liberal' churches espouse tolerance of homosexual behavior in the name of 'love'. They plug for the acceptance of homosexual conduct as normal, 'because they can't help it'. They are not only wrong about the latter, but they are actually not being at all loving towards homosexuals, because, contrary to the Bible, they reduce the homosexual person to the level of an animal, driven by instinct. In removing moral responsibility from the person, they dehumanize them, whereas the Bible says we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), with the power of moral choice.

Furthermore, the gospel proclaims liberation from the bondage of sin, including homosexual sin, whereas the 'liberals' tell the homosexual that they cannot help it, and they can't help them either, so they will accept them as they are! However, many a person has been gloriously rescued from the bondage of homosexual sin (and other sin) by the power of the Holy Spirit, but only Bible-believing Christians can offer such hope.13

Conclusion

As with all moral issues, our beliefs about our origin determine our attitude. If we believe that we arose from slime by a combination of random chance events and the struggle for survival, it is understandable to say that there is no higher authority, and we can make our own rules. However, if there is a loving God who planned us and gave commands for us to follow, then we must do so. God has set forth His standards in the Bible, beginning with the foundational teaching in the book of Genesis.

References and notes

Lansdown, A., The 'Rights' of Homosexuals, Life News, p. 1, February 1995.
Randall, D.A., Bill Loader on Homosexuality, Life News, p. 4, September 1996.
Hamer, D.H. et.al., A linkage between DNA markers on the X chromosome and male sexual orientation, Science 261(5119):321–327, 1993.
Levay, S., The Sexual Brain, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 1993 (as quoted in ref. 6, pp. 367, 665).
Bailey, J.M. and Pillard, R.C., A genetic study of male sexual orientation, General Psychiatry 48(12):1089–1096, 1991.
Matlin, M.W., Psychology, 3rd ed., Harcourt Brace College Publishers, Fort Worth, Texas, USA, p. 366, 1999.
Excerpts from the Baptist Union of WA document on human sexuality, Life News, October 1997. (Final Report of the Task Force on Human Sexuality, Baptist Union of Western Australia, July 1997).
Hogg, RS, et al., Modelling the impact of HIV disease on mortality in gay men. International Journal of Epidemiology 26(3):657–61, 1997.
Geisler, N.L., Christian Ethics, Michigan, USA, Baker Books, p. 261, 1989.
Ref. 9, p. 262.
Ref. 9, p. 259.
Ref. 9, p. 265.
See, for example, the testimonies of people rescued from homosexual sin at www.exodus-international.org/testimonials_left_homosexuality.shtml, 28 October 2003.

Author: Ann Lamont

God's plan for sexuality

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."
-Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

"And the LORD God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.' Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed."
-Genesis 2:18-25 (NKJV)

The image of God is both male and female and is reflected in a godly union between male and female where the creative power of God, His life-giving, His self-giving and His moral nature are perfectly expressed. This is only possible in a heterosexual union.

When God created a partner for Adam He created Eve - not another Adam. This means that perfect partnership requires some level of difference as well as a level of similarity so great that Adam could cry out loudly, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh". Sexual intimacy between a man and a woman is the normal method of male/female bonding (emotionally and physically) because it corresponds to the design of our bodies and because it is the normal means by which offspring are created.

If God had intended the human race to be fulfilled through both heterosexual and homosexual marriage, He would have designed our bodies to allow reproduction through both means and made both means of sexual intercourse healthy and natural. Homosexual anal intercourse carries a high risk of disease, this is recognized in Scripture where gay men are said to receive in their bodies the due penalty for their error (Romans 1:27).

What Jesus taught

"And He answered and said to them, 'Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,'"
-Matthew 19:4 (NKJV)

"But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'"
-Mark 10:6 (NKJV)

When Jesus was asked questions about marriage he went straight back to the defining passages in Genesis that say that marriage is between male and female and is meant to be life long. He saw the creation accounts in Genesis as authoritative in His day. And what is authoritative for Jesus is authoritative for Christians also. While Jesus did not specifically teach on homosexuality, His establishment of the Genesis passages as the fundamental passages on marriage (even more fundamental than the Law) leaves no doubt as to the outcome.

What does the Scripture say?

Gen. 1 & 2 - we see from the beginning that the complimentarity of the sexes reflects God's inner unity and His creative power and Fatherhood. God created man and woman to become one flesh which is consummated in the act of marital love.

Gen. 2:18 – throughout the creation story, God says “it is good” seven times. But when God pointed out that man was alone, God says “it is not good.” God then created woman. Man and woman therefore belong together by God’s design, according to His natural and supernatural law.

Gen. 2:24 – God created man and woman so that they could share communion. This communion is consummated in the marital act (which must be between a man and a woman). This communion is also a reflection of the eternal communion of the Blessed Trinity, who created man in His own image and likeness.

Gen. 19:24-28 - the Lord rained fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah as punishment for the sin of homosexuality. Homosexuality perverts God’s covenant with humanity.

Lev. 18:22, 29 - God commands a man never to lie with a male as with a female, or he will be cut off. This refers to supernatural death which is eternal separation from God.

Lev. 20:13 - God says that if a man lies with another man, he shall be put to death. Homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered, unhealthy, and mortally sinful.

Deut. 22:5 - cross-dressing is also considered an abomination before God.

Matt. 19:6 - after referring to God's divine plan for man and woman, Jesus says a husband and wife become one flesh, which ultimately reflects God's union with humanity through the Church. Homosexual unions pervert this divine truth of God’s love for and union with the human race.

Rom. 1:26 - also, when a woman lies with another women, this is unnatural and a perversion. God wants His children to be pure and holy as He is holy.

Rom. 1:27 – Saint Paul calls the practice of homosexuality shameless, unnatural and a perversity. It is contrary to the natural law, as it eviscerates the life-giving aspect of human sexuality and reduces it to a selfish, pleasure-seeking end.

1 Cor. 6:9 - homosexuality is not part of God's plan for His kingdom. Homosexuals are called to chastity.

1 Tim. 1:10 - sodomites are called ungodly and sinners, unholy and profane, lawless and disobedient. They are called by God to chastity. It is important to note that homosexual attractions and inclinations, while dangerous, are not by themselves sinful per se. It is the acting out on homosexual attraction that is sinful. Those with homosexual desires can still live a life worthy of Christ by remaining chaste and pure as they abstain from acting out on their desires.

What else does the Bible say?

"For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due."
-Romans 1:26-27 (NKJV)

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
-1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV)

"Knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine,"
-1 Timothy 1:9-10 (NKJV)

These three references indicate that homosexual passions and acts are unnatural, shameful, contrary to sound doctrine and deny entrance to the Kingdom of God. This being so they cannot be the basis of a Christian marriage sanctioned by God's Church. The Church exists to save people, not to bless the means of their damnation. No marriage can be sanctioned by the Church if the very basis of the marriage involves acts that put the couple outside of eternal salvation. No matter what our society may legislate, the law of God is clear - that a marriage is not a godly marriage if it is a same sex union.

Are emotions a sufficient basis for marriage?

Hollywood has propagated the myth that when it comes to marriage "all you need is love." This is simply not true. Marriage is not based on emotion any more than any other partnership in life is. Marriage, like many human activities, involves emotion but it is not constituted by the presence of any particular set of emotions. I do not deny that many homosexuals feel deeply for their partners; however I do assert that no matter how deep the feelings, what they have is not a marriage in God's sight. It is a beautiful deception.

Just because an emotion is deep or powerful does not justify acting upon it. Like drugs, like adultery, like the abuse of alcohol or the love of money, or the power rush of human ego trips, there are emotions which are powerful and addictive and ultimately terribly destructive. Same sex marriages must satisfy criteria other than emotion. A marriage is more than a sexual pleasure center. A marriage is a social unit that is interwoven with dozens of other lives.

Same sex marriages do not last. Less than 5% of gays have ever had a relationship that lasted 3 years or more. Sex is not enough. Passion cannot sustain an inherently unstable social unit.

Society, the Church and same sex marriages

Marriage is a fundamental social institution that does not exist just for the emotional satisfaction of two individuals but for the greater good of the community which stands under the blessing or curse of God. Societies that put emotional fulfillment before right actions and principles will soon give way to a multitude of addictions and deep corruptions and collapse. God will judge any society that institutes same sex marriages.

I also believe that God will judge a society that permits adoption of children or the use of sperm banks by same sex couples. His Word stands over society and when it is deliberately flaunted in the name of progress and enlightenment, then it is not light but deep darkness that results. We cannot bend the principles of God's Word to suit vocal minority groups. While some nations may enact laws permitting these evils, the true church of God must stand resolutely firm and never allow the sanctioning of same sex marriages by Christian clergy. No church that takes the Bible seriously can sanction a union between homosexuals or lesbians.

Tradition / Church Fathers

"You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not be a corrupter of youth." Letter of Barnabas 10 (A.D. 74).

"You shall not be a corrupter of boys, nor like unto such." Letter of Barnabas 10 (A.D. 74).

"You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill one that has been born." Didache 2:2 (A.D. 90).

"[W]e have been taught that to expose newly-born children is the part of wicked men; and this we have been taught lest we should do anyone harm and lest we should sin against God, first, because we see that almost all so exposed (not only the girls, but also the males) are brought up to prostitution. And for this pollution a multitude of females and hermaphrodites, and those who commit unmentionable iniquities, are found in every nation. And you receive the hire of these, and duty and taxes from them, whom you ought to exterminate from your realm. And any one who uses such persons, besides the godless and infamous and impure intercourse, may possibly be having intercourse with his own child, or relative, or brother. And there are some who prostitute even their own children and wives, and some are openly mutilated for the purpose of sodomy; and they refer these mysteries to the mother of the gods." Justin Martyr, First Apology 27 (A.D. 151).

"All honor to that king of the Scythians, whoever Anacharsis was, who shot with an arrow one of his subjects who imitated among the Scythians the mystery of the mother of the gods . . . condemning him as having become effeminate among the Greeks, and a teacher of the disease of effeminacy to the rest of the Scythians." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"[According to Greek myth] Baubo [a female native of Elusis] having received [the goddess] Demeter hospitably, reached to her a refreshing draught; and on her refusing it, not having any inclination to drink (for she was very sad), and Baubo having become annoyed, thinking herself slighted, uncovered her shame, and exhibited her nudity to the goddess. Demeter is delighted with the sight--pleased, I repeat, at the spectacle. These are the secret mysteries of the Athenians; these Orpheus records." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"It is not, then, without reason that the poets call him [Hercules] a cruel wretch and a nefarious scoundrel. It were tedious to recount his adulteries of all sorts, and debauching of boys. For your gods did not even abstain from boys, one having loved Hylas, another Hyacinthus, another Pelops, another Chrysippus, another Ganymede. Let such gods as these be worshipped by your wives, and let them pray that their husbands be such as these--so temperate; that, emulating them in the same practices, they may be like the gods. Such gods let your boys be trained to worship, that they may grow up to be men with the accursed likeness of fornication on them received from the gods." Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Greeks 2 (A.D. 190).

"[A]ll other frenzies of the lusts which exceed the laws of nature, and are impious toward both [human] bodies and the sexes, we banish, not only from the threshold but also from all shelter of the Church, for they are not sins so much as monstrosities." Tertullian, Modesty 4 (A.D. 220).

"[God forbid the Jews to eat certain foods for symbolic reasons:] For that in fishes the roughness of scales is regarded as constituting their cleanness; rough, and rugged, and unpolished, and substantial, and grave manners are approved in men; while those that are without scales are unclean, because trifling, and fickle, and faithless, and effeminate manners are disapproved. Moreover, what does the Law mean when it…forbids the swine to be taken for food? It assuredly reproves a life filthy and dirty, and delighting in the garbage of vice…Or when it forbids the hare? It rebukes men deformed into women." Novatian, The Jewish Foods 3 (A.D. 250).

"[T]urn your looks to the abominations, not less to be deplored, of another kind of spectacle…Men are emasculated, and all the pride and vigor of their sex is effeminated in the disgrace of their enervated body; and he is more pleasing there who has most completely broken down the man into the woman. He grows into praise by virtue of his crime; and the more he is degraded, the more skillful he is considered to be. Such a one is looked upon--oh shame!--and looked upon with pleasure…nor is there wanting authority for the enticing abomination…that Jupiter of theirs [is] not more supreme in dominion than in vice, inflamed with earthly love in the midst of his own thunders…now breaking forth by the help of birds to violate the purity of boys. And now put the question: Can he who looks upon such things be healthy-minded or modest? Men imitate the gods whom they adore, and to such miserable beings their crimes become their religion." Cyprian of Carthage, Letters 1:8 (A.D. 253).

"Oh, if placed on that lofty watch-tower, you could gaze into the secret places--if you could open the closed doors of sleeping chambers and recall their dark recesses to the perception of sight--you would behold things done by immodest persons which no chaste eye could look upon; you would see what even to see is a crime; you would see what people embruted with the madness of vice deny that they have done, and yet hasten to do--men with frenzied lusts rushing upon men, doing things which afford no gratification even to those who do them." Cyprian of Carthage, Letters 1:9 (A.D. 253).

"[T]he mother of the gods loved [the boy Attis] exceedingly, because he was of most surpassing beauty; and Acdestis [the son of Jupiter] who was his companion, as he grew up fondling him, and bound to him by wicked compliance with his lust…Afterwards, under the influence of wine, he [Attis] admits that he is…loved by Acdestis…Then Midas, king of Pessinus, wishing to withdraw the youth from so disgraceful an intimacy, resolves to give him his own daughter in marriage…Acdestis, bursting with rage because of the boy's being torn from himself and brought to seek a wife, fills all the guests with frenzied madness; the Phrygians shriek, panic-stricken at the appearance of the gods . . . [Attis] too, now filled with furious passion, raving frantically and tossed about, throws himself down at last, and under a pine tree mutilates himself, saying, `Take these, Acdestis, for which you have stirred up so great and terribly perilous commotions.'" Arnobius, Against the Pagans 5:6-7 (A.D. 305).

"[H]aving forbidden all unlawful marriage, and all unseemly practice, and the union of women with women and men with men, he [God] adds: `Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for in all these things the nations were defiled, which I will drive out before you. And the land was polluted, and I have recompensed [their] iniquity upon it, and the land is grieved with them that dwell upon it' [Lev. 18:24-25]." Eusebius of Caesarea, Proof of the Gospel 4:10 (A.D. 319).

"He who is guilty of unseemliness with males will be under discipline for the same time as adulterers." Basil the Great, Letters 217:62 (A.D. 367).

"If you [O, monk] are young in either body or mind, shun the companionship of other young men and avoid them as you would a flame. For through them the enemy has kindled the desires of many and then handed them over to eternal fire, hurling them into the vile pit of the five cities under the pretense of spiritual love. At meals take a seat far from other young men. In lying down to sleep let not their clothes be near yours, but rather have an old man between you. When a young man converses with you, or sings psalms facing you, answer him with eyes cast down, lest perhaps by gazing at his face you receive a seed of desire sown by the enemy and reap sheaves of corruption and ruin. Whether in the house or in a place where there is no one to see your actions, be not found in his company under the pretense either of studying the divine oracles or of any other business whatsoever, however necessary." Basil the Great, The Renunciation of the World (A.D. 373).

"[The pagans] were addicted to the love of boys, and one of their wise men made a law that pederasty…should not be allowed to slaves, as if it was an honorable thing; and they had houses for this purpose, in which it was openly practiced. And if all that was done among them was related, it would be seen that they openly outraged nature, and there was none to restrain them… As for their passion for boys, whom they called their 'paedica,' it is not fit to be named." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Titus 5 (A.D. 390]).

"[Certain men in church] come in gazing about at the beauty of women; others curious about the blooming youth of boys. After this, do you not marvel that [lightning] bolts are not launched [from heaven], and all these things are not plucked up from their foundations? For worthy both of thunderbolts and hell are the things that are done; but God, who is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forbears awhile his wrath, calling you to repentance and amendment." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 3:3 (A.D. 391).

"All of these affections [in Rom. 1:26-27]… were vile, but chiefly the mad lust after males; for the soul is more the sufferer in sins, and more dishonored than the body in diseases." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"[The men] have done an insult to nature itself. And a yet more disgraceful thing than these is it, when even the women seek after these intercourses, who ought to have more shame than men." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"And sundry other books of the philosophers one may see full of this disease. But we do not therefore say that the thing was made lawful, but that they who received this law were pitiable, and objects for many tears. For these are treated in the same way as women that play the whore. Or rather their plight is more miserable. For in the case of the one the intercourse, even if lawless, is yet according to nature; but this is contrary both to law and nature. For even if there were no hell, and no punishment had been threatened, this would be worse than any punishment." John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 4 (A.D. 391).

"[T]hose shameful acts against nature, such as were committed in Sodom, ought everywhere and always to be detested and punished. If all nations were to do such things, they would be held guilty of the same crime by the law of God, which has not made men so that they should use one another in this way." Augustine, Confessions 3:8:15 (A.D. 400).

"[Christians] abhor all unlawful mixtures, and that which is practiced by some contrary to nature, as wicked and impious." Apostolic Constitutions 6:11 (A.D. 400).

Are people born homosexuals? Or is it a choice?

Homosexuality was never part of God's plan for people, and He never created a person as a homosexual. At the time of creation, He gave Adam a woman to for companionship and as a sexual partner. The fact that this was always God's design is made quite clear in the very design of His creation -- male and female sex organs, and male and female temperaments. (Genesis 2:18-25)

Before sin entered the world through man's disobedience, heterosexual marriage was the only sexual relationship that existed on earth. It was after man's fall that such things polygamy (Genesis 4:19), adultery (Genesis 12:17), prostitution (Genesis 38:15) and rape (Genesis 34:2) entered the world. Homosexuality was also an obvious development, as seen by the way it took over the society of ancient Sodom (Genesis 19:4-5).

Although a person may "feel" that his or her homosexuality is natural and normal, we must realize that feelings can mislead us. In the book of Jeremiah, we are told:

"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

Many people "feel" they are born homosexual, because their desires lean in that direction. But despite what some people teach, it does not mean that a person was born a homosexual, any more than people are born murderers, thieves, adulterers or liars.

Our "feelings" are not always morally right. We cannot trust our feelings to tell us which lifestyle we are to live. We MUST live according to what is taught in God's Word, and not according to our feelings.

Can a homosexual be a Christian?

Without question, the Bible condemns homosexuality in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are two examples:

Leviticus 18:22 -- "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination".

I Corinthians 6:9-10 -- Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, not idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, shall inherit the kingdom of God".

A Christian lives in obedience to the teachings of Jesus, recognizing Christ's teachings as the ultimate truth. Obedience is made possible when a person is "born again" as a result of faith in what Christ did on the Cross to redeem man's sin. After being born again, a person abandons all things which God commands to be sinful. A Christian will no longer live as a slave to sin. He will turn from and give up all evil ways. Though a Christian may struggle with sin and temptation, he will no longer live a lifestyle which opposes God's Word.

"No one who is born of God practices sin, because (Christ's) seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious; anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not live his brother" (I John 3:9-10).

No one can be a Christian and remain a practicing homosexual. It would be a contradiction of God's Word. We are to become transformed by our Christian nature and live a Christ-like life.

Can gays become straight?

YES! In I Corinthians 6, we are told that neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolater, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders will inherit the kingdom of God. But immediately afterwards, we read:

"And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God" (I Corinthians 6:11).

Jesus can change ANY person, regardless of the sin they have committed. The homosexual, like any sinner, only needs to acknowledge his or her sin, repent of that sin and believe in the transforming power of Christ.

Is AIDS a curse from God?

A curse, in the Bible sense, is not something evil that is put upon a person without a reason, nor is it irreversible. God does not "put a curse on people". A curse comes as a direct consequence or a result of man's actions.

The Bible tells us that God "turns people over" to their own sin, allowing the natural consequences of their sin to take effect. If a man continues to break the law of God, God does not stop him. He allows him to go ahead and suffer the effects of that sin.

"Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their heart to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error" (Romans 1:24, 26-27).

Many people ask "Why did God allow AIDS to come upon homosexuals?" They should be asking, "Why did these people take the risk of getting involved in illicit sex?" Millions today have been diagnosed with the AIDS virus. Hundreds of thousand of AIDS cases remain undiagnosed or unreported. Many of the sufferers are married, affecting more than just the homosexual community.

God has not cursed people with AIDS. This deadly virus is a direct consequence of immoral behavior which is now taking its toll on the general public. God warns us to stay away from sin because IT KILLS. God's moral law was not given to take away our pleasure or our happiness; it was given to protect us from our own destructive passions and sinful practices.

"The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (II Peter 3:9).

God will not violate man's free will; He will allow a person to be involved in sin even if that practice leads to death. But He has never desired that a man should perish, and He certainly has not brought on AIDS to bring suffering or death.

THE SIN OF SODOMY IN THE LAST DAYS
by Alan Yusko

We are certainly in the last days before the return of the Lord Jesus to earth. Sin is rampant on planet earth. Good is evil and evil is good to those in the world who have rejected God and His Word. Evil in the world is growing progressively worse. In the days ahead the wicked will grow more evil and sin will be more appealing to the lost.

The key to Bible prophecy is the nation of Israel. In 1948 Israel officially became a nation. Since that time the world has been racing toward Armageddon. The decay in society has accelerated over the last 49 years. Things considered evil and profane back then are now considered normal. For example at one time marriage was an honorable institution. However today society has degenerated to the point where divorce and remarriage is the norm. For those who don't want to be bothered with marriage the common law relationship is another option. There are full tax benefits and company benefits to a relationship called common law. Today many live together as common law couples before marriage and it is considered normal. Some of the common law couples get married at a later time while others don't even bother. They just move in together and start playing the married game without the covenant of marriage.

Another sin that has reached social acceptability is the sin of sodomy. Forty years ago the homosexuals were deep in their little closets doing their perverted acts in secret. However today everything has changed. People have come out of the closet and now practice sodomy openly for all to see. With the full blessings of society and the law makers sodomy is now a valid form of relationship. Benefits are now paid to same-sex couples. Another interesting point is this trend is worldwide. Sodomy is acceptable at a worldwide level. It is not just the USA or Canada that has openly accepted sodomy and passed laws protecting the rights of the sodomites. Virtually all nations have accepted and legalized immorality.

This tract will look at what the Bible says about the sin of sodomy. We will look at Lot and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the judgment of God. We will also look at several verses in the Bible that deals with the sin of sodomy (homosexuality). Has God changed His attitude toward the sin of sodomy? Is the majority right when sodomy is now accepted at a worldwide level? Is God and the Bible homophobic? The good news is that God has not changed. He still views sin as sin. The world is fast racing toward judgment. As the world rejects God it will accept all forms of evil including occultic practices and sexual perversion as normal. One day soon the judgment of God will fall on a Christ-rejecting world and men will be held accountable for their sin.

SODOM, GOMORRAH AND GOD'S JUDGMENT

Lot was a relative of Abraham who moved away and settled in the city of Sodom. Lot was a man of God who had his spirit vexed by all the sin he saw around him. However God used Lot as an example for us to learn from today. We are told that the same conditions in the world during the days of Lot will be in the world at the coming of the Lord. This coming will be when the Lord comes to rapture His church to heaven.

Luke 17:28-30
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The days of Lot were similar to the days of Noah. Life went on as normal right up until the time of Divine judgment and sudden destruction. The wicked continued as usual to eat, drink, buy, sell, plant, and build just as they always did. But in verse 29 we are told that the same day God safely removed Lot from Sodom, He destroyed that wicked city with fire and brimstone. Again their destruction was quick, sudden, and unexpected. Then in verse 30 we are told that these same conditions will exist in the world when the Son of man (Jesus) is revealed. (the rapture)

There is another condition in the days of Lot that is very similar to the days we now live in. See the below verse:

Jude 7
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to FORNICATION, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

In the days of Lot the people gave themselves over to fornication or sexual sin. They were homosexuals and adulterers and engaged in any type of sexual sin that they desired. Those conditions are true today on a worldwide scale. Even though people are aware of terrible diseases like Harpies or AIDS they still engage in gross immorality. People believe that somehow if a condom is used then fornication is 'safe sex'. God says in Jude 7 above that what He did to Sodom and Gomorrah was set forth as an example for future generations. Societies that give themselves over to sexual perversion will be judged by God just as Sodom was judged and destroyed.

So we have seen that the days of Lot will be like the days of the coming of the Lord Jesus. We have also seen that the days of Lot involved sexual sin and fornication. Fornication is defined as sex outside the marriage covenant. The whole practice of sodomy is fornication because two people of the same sex can never be married in the Biblical sense. God has also made specific reference in the Bible to the sin of sodomy and He calls that practice sin. It is evil and is something to be avoided.

From what we have read so far about Sodom and Gomorrah we really have not seen any details. We know that the people had given themselves over to fornication and to 'strange flesh'. But we should have some more details on the type of fornication. Are we really talking about the sin of sodomy here? (homosexuality). Yes we are and we can see that fact by looking at a more detailed account of the destruction by judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Gen 19:1-15
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Two angels from God came to the city of Sodom. They were greeted by Lot who recognized that they were from God. Lot gave them great respect as he greeted them. The purpose of their visit was to see and destroy the wickedness of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

Lot invited them home to his house. The reason he invited them home is that he knew it was not safe for them to be in the city at night. Lot was aware of the immorality and sexual sin of the people of Sodom.

3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

However Lot was very persistent and convinced them to come to his house for the night. Once there Lot made them a very good meal which they ate.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

The arrival of these angels were known to the men of the city. Men from all over the city came to Lots house and surrounded the house. Now ask yourself the question: Why did the men of Sodom do that? Why did they all come and gather around Lot's home? Did they want something? If so what?

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

Here is the answer to why the men of Sodom gathered around Lot's house. They sexually desired the men that were staying in Lot's house. These evil fornicators wanted the men to be brought outside so they could 'know them' or have immoral sex with them. Now am I stretching the Scriptures by saying their desire to 'know them' really means the sodomite homosexuals wanted to fornicate with these men? Well read on and the meaning will become obvious in the next few verses.

6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,

As a result Lot opened the front door to his house and shut the door behind him. He did this in an attempt to protect his visitors. That is why he went out and closed the door. Next Lot attempts to reason with the homosexual men of Sodom.

7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

Lot tells them not to do this wicked thing. He encourages them to change their mind and leave his visitors alone.

8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

This is very strange what Lot says here. He offers his two daughters to the men to have sex with so they will leave the two visitors from God alone. Lot told the crowd he would bring out his daughters so they could: 'do ye to them as is good in your eyes'. What Lot was saying is... here take my two girls and have sex with them. But leave my guests alone.

9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.

However the sodomite homosexuals of Sodom had lost their desire for members of the opposite sex. They did not want Lots daughters but they did want the men who were guests in Lot's house. The homosexuals then began to utter threats to Lot and they began to attack him. They said who are you to 'judge' us! (does that one sound familiar?)

10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.

Next we have the intervention of the angels who were guests in Lot's house. They opened the door and pulled Lot into the house to rescue him from the sex crazed homosexual mob.

11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Next the angels made the men of the homosexual mob blind. They could no longer see and they groped around looking for the door.

12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

The angels then told Lot to gather his family and get out of the city. The city was about to be destroyed by the judgment of God and Lot was told to get out. This is an interesting principle. Notice God did not judge the city of Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot and his family were safely out. This is also true for the end of the age. Before God judges earth He will remove His church. That event is called the rapture.

13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

The angels explained to Lot that they were sent here to destroy that wicked city. God is aware of sin and the day always comes when sin is judged. For Sodom and Gomorrah the time of their judgment had come.

14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

So in light of this information Lot tries to convince his family to escape before the city is destroyed. When he tells his son in laws they just mock and laugh at him. How true that is of today. Christians have been warning of the judgment upon a godless and sin filled world for years now. However most reject what they hear and laugh to scorn all the warnings

15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

Lot, his wife, and his two daughters actually escape the city. Notice the urgency as the angels hasten Lot. Judgment is coming quickly and Lot has to run to escape the destruction of the city.

Next we read about the actual destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Gen 19:24-29
24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Once Lot is at a safe distance from the judgment of God the city is destroyed. It is destroyed with fire and brimstone. The destruction of the city and all the homosexual inhabitants is complete.

25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

God's judgment was thorough and complete.

26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

As the city is destroyed Lot's wife looks back and is destroyed. This shows that Lot's wife really did not belong to the Lord. She did not want to leave the city of Sodom. That was her home and where her heart was. Lot's son in laws also rejected God. They chose to stay in the city. They did not want to come out of their sin but rather chose do dwell in it. As a result they were also destroyed.

27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:
28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Abraham was aware of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The smoke of the judgment could be seen from a great distance. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was complete and is an example and a warning for us today. God destroyed and judged sexual sin in days past and He will certainly do it again!

Next we look at Lot's attitude concerning the destruction of his home city given over to all types of sin and sexual perversion.

2 Peter 2:6
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly,

When God judged Sodom and Gomorrah He turned them into ashes. By doing this He condemned their immoral, fornicating, homosexual practices. We are told that this should be a warning today to all those who would live ungodly. This includes the homosexuals whose practice has now become socially "acceptable". God judged Sodom and Gomorrah because one of the main sins was homosexuality.

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

Lot was delivered from judgment but his spirit was vexed beholding the filthy lifestyle of the people of Sodom.

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

This verse states again that Lot's spirit was vexed. Living in a wicked society and seeing wicked deeds day after day vexed his soul.

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

The end result is that God knows how to deliver His people from wickedness. God also knows how to judge the wicked. God judged Sodom and Gomorrah and He will judge the world we are currently living in. Judgment is coming to earth and God has a time for that judgment set. By seeing the world accept all kinds of fornication, adultery, and sodomy we can only assume that the time of that judgment is soon.

Acts 17:31
31 Because He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.

We've seen what happened to the city of Sodom. It was destroyed because of sexual perversion. Lot was safely removed from the city and then it was destroyed. The detailed description of the destruction of Sodom is a clear warning today for those who give themselves over to perversion.

GOD'S VIEW OF HOMOSEXUALITY FROM THE BIBLE

The Bible is full of warnings about the sin of sodomy. In this section we will look at several of them. The warning is very clear. God wants people to stay away from sexual sin. Below are several verses that show God's attitude toward the sin of sodomy:

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

God is aware of the sin of homosexuality. In fact He calls it an abomination. If a man lays with another man like he would with a woman, it is an abomination to God. Society can pass all the laws it wants. God still says DON'T PARTAKE of this sin.

Leviticus 20:13
13 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.

In the days when God ruled as King of Israel the penalty for sodomy (homosexuality) was death. Again God calls this sin an abomination and in those days that crime was punished by death.

The next series of verses deals with sodomites in the land of Israel. The Bible refers to homosexuals as sodomites because that term also includes the judgment of God on that particular sin.

Deut 23:17
17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

God gave warnings that the women of Israel were not to become whores. Also the men were told not to be homosexuals (sodomite).

IKing 14:24
24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

The term sodomites (homosexuals) is again referred to as an abomination to God. The nations before Israel were judged for these abominations and Israel was warned not to partake of their sins.

IKing 15:12
12 And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

The sodomites were removed and cast out of the land of Israel. Also all the idols were removed from the land of Israel. These things were removed from Israel because these abominations brought the judgment of God.

IKing 22:46
46 And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

Again the sodomites (homosexuals) were removed from the land of Israel.

II Ki 23:7
7 And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

The places where the sodomites gathered to do their sin was destroyed. The concept of homosexual bath-houses is not a new one. When Israel cleaned their land they removed these houses of the sodomites.

1 Cor 6:9
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Above we see that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God. This means they will perish in the lake of fire. Burning forever in the lake of fire is a huge price to pay for a short time enjoying sin and wickedness. The effeminate and abusers of themselves with mankind describe the sodomite homosexual. Finally in verse 11 we are told that 'such WERE some of you'. The key word here is 'were'. Before a person is saved they are lost sinners. That person could be a drunkard, a thief, or a sodomite. However after salvation that person does not practice that sin any longer.

1 Tim 1:9-10
9 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,
10 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;

Two of the above describe the sin of sodomy. Both whoremongers and them that defile themselves with mankind describe homosexuality. It is something to be shunned and rejected. Also notice that all those that partake of the above sins are contrary to sound doctrine. If a person tries to defend the sin of sodomy, or the sin of murder, or lying from the Bible then they are contrary to sound doctrine. Do not listen to them as they have rejected sound doctrine and are merely trying to justify their sin.

Next we look at Romans chapter 1 which has lots of information on sodomy:

Romans 1
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

When God gives a person over to sin it is a sad day for that person. This means that he has rejected God and His salvation so God gives that person over to their sin. As a result they are given over to uncleanness and get involved in all kinds of evil lusts. They also dishonor their own bodies between themselves. This can include sodomy, fornication, or adultery.

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for EVEN THEIR WOMEN DID CHANGE THE NATURAL USE INTO THAT WHICH IS AGAINST NATURE

Again God is given the wicked person over to their sin and vile affections. Verse 26 describes the abomination of women sodomites ... or lesbians. God says it is against nature for them to do that sin. Because they have reject Him, God gives them up to their sin. It is really sad when a hard hearted person is given over to their sin.

27 AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE MEN LEAVING THE NATURAL USE OF THE WOMAN BURNED IN THEIR LUST ONE TOWARD ANOTHER, MEN WITH MEN WORKING THAT WHICH IS UNSEEMLY, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.

Next we have the men whom God has given over to vile affections. Notice the men burn in their lust toward each other. Men with men doing evil forms of fornication as they leave the natural use of the woman. This is a description of sodomy. As a result they receive in themselves recompense of their error. This means they are judged and will reap the fruit of their sin. Today sodomites carry 4-5 sexually transmitted diseases at one time. Most die young and live lonely and unhappy lives. Quite a price to pay for being given over to vile affections.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Since the sodomites choose not to retain God in their knowledge they are given over to reprobate minds. What is a reprobate mind? Well it is a person who can no longer tell good from evil. This person has rejected God and His moral standards and everything becomes relative. That person has no discernment and cannot distinguish good from evil. A reprobate person may have a big mouth and speak glowing words but they still have no discernment.

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

The reprobate people who God has given over to vile affections just become worse and worse as time goes by. Verse 29 states they are 'filled' with all unrighteousness...etc... Since they chose not to be filled with the things of God instead they are given sin and evil to fill their hearts.

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Deep down the reprobates and sodomites know that God is against their sin. They know that just as God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, He one day will judge them. But they ignore that and continue practicing gross sin. They also take a perverse pleasure in others that do the same sin as do they engage in.

Well the above verses from the Word of God say it all. It doesn't matter how a government rules or makes laws. God still says that sodomy is a sin. Anyone with a problem with that fact has a problem directly with God and His precious Word, the Bible! A person can say what they will but God has already made His position very clear on the subject of homosexuality - sodomy.

Today we have same-sex marriages, same-sex benefits, sexual-orientation, and homophobic people against such things! I would say that the world is heading into sexual sin at full speed. What was considered perversion just a few short years ago is now considered normal behavior. This will surely bring the judgment of God upon all the immoral and all those that encourage such filth. I have heard that there has never been a nation that gave itself over to sexual perversion that lasted more than 50 years. If that is true then North America is headed for trouble! Actually the world is heading toward judgment as it has openly embraced sexual sin. God will certainly judge just as He did with Sodom and Gomorrah.

The next verse in this section deals with the moral pervert that likes to dress up in the opposite sex's clothing. The name for such a sin is transvestite. It is interesting that at the 'gay pride' day marches the transvestites and child molesters also march. These perverts have not reached the level of social acceptance as the sodomite has achieved. However as morals collapse who knows what is in store in the next few years. Ten to twenty years ago the sin of sodomy was taboo. Today it is acceptable and encouraged by society. Perhaps in a few more years other types of perverts will get social acceptance also. What does the Bible say about the transvestite?

Deuteronomy 22:5
5. The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Another type of perverted sexual sin that the Bible warns about is sex with animals. It is perversion and an abomination to God.

Leviticus 18
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it [is] confusion.

Back in the Old Testament days those who partook of that form of perversion received the death penalty. They were killed and so was the animal.

Finally all sexual sin will one day be judged. Those who fornicate before marriage and those who commit adultery during marriage will face judgment. Even those who fornicate with animals will be judged.

Hebrews 13
4 Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Marriage is the only place that sex is allowed. God blesses the union between man and woman. However the others who reject God's commands one day will be judged and perish forever.

1 Corinthians 6
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

How can a person sin against his own body? Well by committing sexual sin. Today there are all kinds of disease that afflict those involved in sexual sin. AIDS, herpies and many other sexual disease show God's disapproval to those who reject morality. If you disagree with that statement then here is a question. What sexually transmitted disease would be here today if sexual immorality was not practiced? The answer is none! AIDS is only a problem because of the sexually immoral. Without sexual immorality AIDS would not have spread at all. The same is true with the other sexually transmitted diseases such as herpies, syphilis etc... However since we live in a sex crazed world that rejects Godly morals, we see terrible sexual diseases everywhere at alarming and increasing proportions.

Job 36:13-14
13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.

What is the best way to die young? Just reject God and become a moral pervert and engage in ungodly lusts. By engaging in sodomy, fornication, or adultery a person will be sure to shorten his life. He will get to try new medications as he contracts all kinds of sexual diseases. Finally that person will die before his time and head down to burn in the lake of fire forever.

CONCLUSION

In this tract we have seen the judgment of God against the sexually immoral in Sodom and Gomorrha. There came a point in time that they were ripe for judgment. The cities were completely destroyed by God. We also looked at several verses in the Bible that reference the sin of sodomy and can clearly see God's attitude. He has not changed. Sodomy was an abomination to God in days past and it is still an abomination today. Acceptance of this sin by the world does not change the fact that it is a sin before God. As the world grows increasingly immoral and evil, we can see that God will soon one day judge the earth.

We close this tract with some wisdom from Proverbs. It is about warning a young man to stay away from an immoral woman. But it can also apply to the sodomite. At verse 11 below the person dies young as his flesh is consumed. It is consumed by sexual disease that destroys his body. A very good warning that should be heeded in these immoral days.

Prov 5:1-12
1 My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2 That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8 Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9 Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10 Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11 And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12 And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Verse 12 shows how the immoral man hated reproof and Godly instruction. At the end his rebellion and sexual sin cost him his life. Who has ears to hear?