This essay addresses the current debate in our country on gay rights. He briefly discusses my limited knowledge of the Bible before getting into specific quotes and passages from the Bible that religious activists often use in their arguments against gay rights. Analyze what people around the world have to say on this topic. I will join the conversation using the information I have gathered to argue that what people believe about the Bible condemning homosexuality is wrong. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay My Hesitation with Religion My knowledge of the Bible comes from the Sundays I spent in church and the summers I spent at Catholic camp. It's important to mention right away that my parents, if anything, would fall into the agnostic or atheist categories. When I was younger we attended a Unitarian Universalist church, perhaps because they wanted me to have a broader worldview. What about the Catholic camp? It was entirely my choice; and all because my best friend left. Growing up I loved musicals like Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. I think we can all agree that the idea of ​​Jesus is beautiful. He was a man whose life philosophy was to spread peace and love; and that's how he lived. As I grew up I began to see a disconnect from Jesus, his teachings, and those who called themselves Catholic. I'm convinced that the Jesus I knew as a child would be disgusted by groups like the Westboro Baptist Church, infamous for their slogan "God Hates Fags." Same-sex marriage has been a defining feature in elections in recent years, but we are seeing a steady pushback from religious leaders and church groups who argue that homosexuality is a sin. “Sexual issues are tearing our churches apart today like never before. The issue of homosexuality threatens to fracture entire denominations, as the issue of slavery did one hundred and fifty years ago. We naturally turn to the Bible for guidance and find ourselves mired in interpretive quicksand. Can the Bible resolve our confusion on this issue?” (Wink, n.d.). In my personal experience, people are quick to say that yes, the Bible condemns homosexuality, but they aren't sure where exactly it says it. I decided to find out exactly which passages are often cited to argue against same-sex marriage, and what scholars have said about it. “And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth”” (Genesis 1). :28, English Standard Version). Therefore, any sexual activity must lead to procreation. If this standard were applied widely, many people would find themselves in trouble. “This means any postmenopausal woman, infertile woman, any infertile man or woman, pregnant woman (will not get pregnant again), anyone who chooses to use birth control…” (Dickens, 2009). Procreation is dangerous. With the world becoming massively overpopulated at such a rapid rate; Every 20 minutes, 3,000 children are born around the world. (World Population Awareness, 2012). Let us be fruitful and multiply in other ways. Multiply access to healthcare, birth control, education and student loans. We support the adoption of children who do not have a home. We must abandon the idea of ​​procreation before it is too muchlate. Clearly, procreation is irrelevant to the world we live in. “And the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man, he made into a woman, and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:22, English Standard Version.) “Then the man said, 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken from Man.'" (Genesis 2:23, English Standard Version). This is what is most commonly used in the argument against gay marriage. In this passage, Adam, having become alone, asks God a companion. God creates all these animals, looking for the right one for Adam. None of them fit, so God takes one of Adam's ribs and creates Eve to be his "helper". translated as helper when in reality it means corresponding help. “A helper like him, a mirror helper. A corresponding force... Someone who reflects his humanity to the Earthling. Someone with whom that Earthling can feel complete, can feel whole servant or slave… It is often used to describe God. God is our help… My help comes from the Lord.” (Dickens, 2009) its corresponding helper… And it is the human who chooses who that helper will be. Why on earth would we ban or restrict gays and lesbians from finding someone to feel complete with? Genesis 19:1-29 - Sodom and Gomorrah “Three angels visited Abraham, God's chosen founder of his chosen nation, Israel. They came disguised as men, travelers along the road. Two of them went down to Sodom and Gomorrah, to observe firsthand the wickedness of those cities…” (Zavada, n.d.). The term sodomy comes from this story. "...two (male) angels come to Sodom, and Lot, Abram's nephew, makes them his guests. Later the men of Sodom want to have sex with the guests, but Lot resists harder and offers them his two instead virgin daughters (Oto Via). “Some passages that have been put forward as pertinent to the issue of homosexuality are, in fact, irrelevant apparently heterosexuals intent on humiliating strangers by treating them “like women,” demasculinizing them” (Wink, n.d.) his daughters rained destruction upon Sodom” (Oto Via). the mother does so and is transformed into a pillar of salt and continues to go and hide in the mountains. It is then that the two daughters realize that they will not be able to have children because they know what happens to strangers when they enter a new city. The next day the eldest said to the youngest: Behold, last night I slept with my father. Let's make him drink some wine tonight too. Then go in and lie down with him, that we may preserve a line from our father.'" (Genesis 19:24, English Standard Version). "Many believe that the texts of Genesis and the rest of the Bible make it clear that Sodom was punished because of its citizens' violent, abusive, inhospitable, greedy and obnoxious behavior towards visitors, widows, the poor and other disadvantaged people. Liberals often interpret Genesis 19 as condemning homosexual rape simply because it is rape.” (Robinson, 2012). In our society we teach our children “don't get raped” instead of “don't rape”. 54% of rapes go unreported and 94% of rapists will never be sent to prison. (RAINN, 2009). Instead of using Sodom and Gomorrah as a story condemning homosexuality, it should be taught as a way to prevent violence and abuse. “You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22, English Standard Version). This step is part.