Jesus would not want gay-bashing

It is true that in certain places, the Bible condemns not the fact of homosexuality but its practice (classically, in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen. 18 - 19, 28) and in rules for behavior (Leviticus, 20,13.) St. Paul famously condemns homosexual acts (I Cor. 6, 9-10 and Rom. 1, 24-32). At the same time, the Bible speaks forcefully of the wrongness of playing God and of passing judgment on others. Jesus spoke scathingly of some of the Pharisees, for example, who thought they knew the meaning of moral truth better than anyone else (see Luke 18, 9-14 and 16, 14-15, and Mark 7, 6-13.)

I believe many Christians among Protestants and Catholics can agree that sexuality and its many mysteries in human nature cuts into the very flesh and bone of our humble, fallible humanity. Who among us dares presume he or she can know with complete certainty the mind of our creator on every last question of right or wrong in life?

The world would be a lot better off if we all showed a bit more respect and honest care for people who may be different than we are and who may have different views on some issues than we do.

Father Daniel J. Bauer SVD is a priest and associate professor in the English Department at Fu Jen Catholic University.

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