Comments on: Leviticus: Pagans, Purity, and Property

By: Queering the Bible, Pt3 – Exploring Leviticus « radicalrabbit’s blog

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:06:12 +0000

[...] may find this article on homosexuality and Leviticus, concerning issues of purity, [...]

By: anita

anita — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:50:33 +0000

Chingy–> The passage I believe you’re referring to is from Deut. 22:5; “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this. ” This passage like many highlight the importance that in Biblical interpretation we never remove a verse from it’s historic and cultural context. While there are a number of contextual factors related to this passage the most significant is that in the ancient Hebrew culture purity laws were in place so that everything maintained it’s own boundaries and didn’t mix or appear as something else (i.e. the prohibition against mixing fabrics). To violate this standard was viewed as a sin in that it was seen as essentially a slap in the face of the Creator who made each thing as it was and so in mixing those things that were in and of themselves pure and holy became unclean and defiled. When it came to the sexes, maintaining distinctions between male and female was of vital importance and this distinction included not only gender roles and behavior but dress as well. It’s obvious that in our modern culture we are no longer concerned with maintaining ancient purity laws nor do we view pants as being exclusive to males anymore than we view perfumes/cologne exclusive to females and nothing within the passage that could lead anyone without a pre-existing agenda of their own to use it to apply to contemporary crossing-dressing or to matters of sexual orientation.

By: Chingy

Chingy — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:05:21 +0000

Hi,

I would like to ask a question about lesbians who dresses like men? I think it is in the bible.. I think the bible says.. a woman should not wear a man’s apparel? i think this is in the new testament. But what I want to know does the bible mean? is it speaking about cross dressing? what about wearing jeans? women wear jeans even if this is a man’s apparel. do we just wear skirts? why are there butch lesbians who dresses like a man? are they sinning? does it may homosexuals sinful?

By: CM

CM — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:52:50 +0000

Hi, me again! Well it’s been a little over a month since I last wrote on here. My life has changed so much, I am completely convinced now that being homosexual is NOT a sin. But, it is definitely one of those things that you have to work out for yourself and study the scriptures and the context in order to be sure – since there have been so many lies and for so many years that even non-religious people will think that the story of sodom is referring to homosexuals (when in fact it is about the lack of hospitality – ironic to think that homophobic people are the ones that are really the sodomites!).

Another scripture they always quote ‘homosexuality is an abomination’ is not actually what it says (as you know, since you’ve talked about it on this site) but it’s interesting to read that there are other ‘abominations’ and ‘detestable’ things in G-d’s eyes, such as eating unclean meat, like pork or bacon or prawns etc – why doesn’t the church also hit everyone hard on those subjects too? I think it’s people’s fears and prejudices that has caused so much oppression towards gays. There is a fantastic autobiography called ’stranger at the gate’ written by and about Mel White – if anyone out there is struggling with accepting themselves as a gay christian or a gay person then it’s well worth reading this book. It has helped answer so many of my fears. You don’t realise how chained you are until you are set free.

I thank G-d that I can be gay and accepted by Him. I have since spoken to my mother and showed her the various scriptures and talked to her about the bullying against gays etc and she has totally changed about it. She isn’t shouting and telling the neighbours (thankfully) but she is happy that I am happy and can see the prejudices.

Thank you again for this site it’s been a tremendous help – I hope more people find it. G-d bless and thank you again xx

By: anita

anita — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:13:21 +0000

CM–>I’m glad the words I wrote to you were able to reach someplace inside you CM and if you found even a shade of healing here then I’ll take that as a gratitude to my Thanksgiving table tomorrow. Please come back again. You, your questions, your doubts, your hopes, ….all of you is welcome here.

By: CM

CM — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:39:09 +0000

Thanks for your kind words… they made me have a good cry actually, which I wasn’t expecting. I don’t tend to cry much, in fact far too busy working all hours! I should do more crying, as it’s made me feel a lot better! You obviously have a very special and sound relationship with G-d. It’s been a very healing experience visiting your site so thank you. :0)

By: anita

anita — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:12:17 +0000

CM–> Oh, I’m so glad you found this place and so thankful that you stepped forward to add your story here. There is such fear among certain segments of the church to live with and explore questions of faith. Ironic since Jesus continually told parables that never had endings with explicit answers but instead challenged those listening to confront hard questions in their own lives. There is such fear in the church too day and how tragic when we know the Spirit is not a spirit of fear. It sounds like such a long and hard journey for you CM, so many years of trying to do the “right” thing or at least avoiding the “wrong” thing but how wonderful that you’re coming to a place of feeling more secure to step outside the box and consider things with new eyes and an open heart. Wherever your search leads you CM I pray that you find incredible peace and the assurance that you are loved and cherished by God and that you are now, and have always been, a delight to the One who created you.

By: CM

CM — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:26:35 +0000

I am a 35 year old lesbian. I used to be a christian but I found there were too many conflicting verses and when I confronted the preacher about some things I was querying, such as why don’t we keep the festivals outlined in leviticus 23 (when it says that they should be kept ‘…forever’) and yet we keep easter which is pagan and we have to keep the tithe in malachi etc – well I eventually was asked to leave because I kept asking too many questions and lacked faith apparently! I agree that there is a ‘pick and choose’ attitude people have to Scripture. I still love G-d and Jesus (Yeshua) is my saviour and I want to do what is right in His (G-d’s) eyes so I went back in the closet again when I hit 30 and I’ve been alone for 5 years – told my mum that I was trying to change and that G-d is changing me – well, until last week when I had to just be honest with her and tell her that I’m sorry but nothing’s changed and I still don’t fancy men that way – I seriously gave it a go (didn’t do anything physical with a man but I kept my mind off women and tried to spend more time with my male friends etc). She seems okay – I told her that I prefer being on my own so as not to worry her. It’s really difficult for her and I feel ashamed really so I try not to upset her and I think if I did have a relationship with a women again I would keep it secret from her anyway. I’ve always thought that being homosexual is wrong but there are a lot of things that we are conditioned to believe in church or by society and it’s refreshing (and important) to step outside of the box and look at things with a fresh pair of eyes, ie study for ourselves to see what scripture is really saying by looking at the context, original language and culture at that time. Sorry, didn’t mean to write an essay! Thanks for your website and for your study of Lev 18 – it’s been really helpful, inspiring and I’ll go on and do more studying myself. Thank you so much. It’s good to be able to speak openly. G-d bless xxx

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:12:10 +0000

I just wanted to say thank you. I’ve been trying to figure things out for a while now, and this site is an answer to prayer.

Thank you.

By: jrc

jrc — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:31:07 +0000

I am praying for you!