Jesus comments on Sexual Orientation in Matthew, chapter 19
GLBTQ people have long been bullied out of many “Christian” churches, and deeply damaged both spiritually and emotionally by the quoting of Leviticus and Paul’s Epistles to the Romans.
In the face of that, I offer this passage from Matthew, a direct quote attributed to Jesus, which is the closest thing to commenting on what we now call “Human Sexuality” that is ascribed to Jesus.
I have used a quote from the “King James” translation, the first English translation, which is considered the ultimate authority for many evangelical traditions. I ask you to remember that the word “Homosexual” did not exist in the English language until the late 1800’s, and that for most of recorded history an “effeminate” man was referred to as a “eunuch” even if his genitals were intact. Removing them (of course) would in fact assure a man’s being “unfit for marriage” (as some modern language translations interpret the original Greek).
Jesus prefaces the passage saying that not all can “receive the saying, save those to whom it is given.” This would explain why “straight” people tend to read right over it, and GLBTQ persons read it and think, “That’s ME he’s talking about.” Jesus concludes that those who are able to receive it should receive it, which many interpret as his way of saying that we are created this way for a reason, by God, and it is part of the natural order of things in God’s view.
One might consider that if in fact “Queer” people are part of God’s natural order of things, then the condemnation of us could itself be a “sin” just as we now understand the practice of racist thoughts and behaviors to be sinful. I’m old enough to remember when many white people justified their racism with scripture, and a narrow understanding of Christianity which we now consider unacceptable.
In this day and time, few men are castrated (second category), but the first category “from their mother’s womb” certainly coincides with what virtually ALL Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and other “Queer” people know to be true for and about ourselves, our “sexual orientation” is intrinsic, we can’t change, and the constant pressure to defend and explain ourselves in the face of pervasive “religiously based” attacks is the number one mental and spiritual health issue in our community.
Since we often feel defenseless in the face of these attacks, I offer this passage, and commentary as counter point. The most damaging thing that bigots do is take away our sense of God, and that we are loved by God. Hopefully this will help change that.
Also, for a bit of humor, and the difficulties of selectively interpreting some scripture literally, but not all, I’m sharing an “Open Letter to Dr. Laura” below the Matthew quote.
Enjoy Jesus, setting the record “straight” in Matthew:
“The Bible says…” Dear Dr. Laura:Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination … end of debate. Its in the Bible - end of argument! I do need some advice from you, Dr. Laura, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how best to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev. 1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. Clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wriggle room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev. 24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
<< Matthew 19 >>King James Bible
1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. 11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.On her radio show, one of the media’s leading commentators, Dr. Laura Schlesinger, said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US educator, which was posted on the Internet. It’s funny as well as informative: