Social Issues (Part 2): Homosexuality

Homosexuality is a compound word that refers to the sexual relations between two people of the same sex (the Greek homo means same). This is in contrast with heterosexuality which involves two people of the opposite sex (the Greek hetero means other or different).

Those who argue in favor of homosexuality will often argue from the standpoint that those in these relationships “love” one another and since it is based upon love their behavior is not to be questioned; instead, it should be celebrated. Many who defend homosexuality claim that homosexuals are “born that way”; therefore, we cannot judge them. However, while the “born that way” argument is common, it is not as popular as it used to be. Why? First, it is simply not true. Second, it is too limiting. The argument was used initially to get more people to accept homosexuality. After it is more widely accepted, the argument can be dropped to get more people to experiment with homosexuality.

Facts & Statistics

Among the adult population in the United States, about 1.8% identify as bisexual and 1.7% identify as “gay” or lesbian.

Homosexual activity puts one at a greater risk of sexually transmitted diseases. In 2017, approximately 70% of new HIV diagnoses were among “gay” and bisexual men.

Same-sex “marriage” was first made legal in Massachusetts with the first same-sex couples receiving marriage licenses in 2004.

Since the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision in 2015, same-sex “marriage” has been legally recognized in all fifty states. As of 2017, there were approximately 547,000 same-sex couples who had “married” (legally, but not Biblically) in the United States.

Basic Bible Principles Relating to This

God created male and female to complement one another, including sexually – After creating Adam, God recognized, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). When God brought all of the animals He created to Adam to receive a name, none of them would fit the need that man had (Genesis 2:19-20). So God created a woman to be the companion that Adam needed. They were literally made for one another. This included the “one flesh” sexual relationship (Genesis 2:24-25).

God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman – God bringing together Adam and Eve was meant to illustrate God’s law concerning marriage: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Jesus cited this law as the foundational principle for His teaching about marriage as well, adding, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). In others words, God’s design for marriage included one man and one woman for life.

Sexual activity outside of this relationship (fornication) is sinful – The Hebrew writer said, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Fornication is the general term for any type of sexual immorality – including, but not limited to, homosexuality.

Homosexuality has been condemned by God in every dispensation – Before the Law of Moses was given, during the time of the patriarchs, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because they were given over to the sin of homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-13, 23-25; Jude 7). When the Law of Moses was given, homosexuality was explicitly condemned (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). Even in the New Testament, homosexuality was classified as sinful behavior (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10).

Besides being sinful, homosexuality is contrary to nature – Paul made this point in his letter to the saints in Rome: “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 also 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 1:26-27). Because of this, one’s way of thinking must be fundamentally altered in order to desire to engage in this behavior.

Bottom Line

Homosexuality is one of many forms of fornication – sexual activity outside of the bounds of marriage – that is also contrary to nature. The Bible clearly classifies this behavior as sinful; therefore, homosexuality is wrong no matter how much public opinion changes about it.