The Bible, and what it says about Gays, Lesbians, (and, apparently, pantsuits) has been a rather controversial issue for very many years. Most people believe that the passages in the bible commonly used to 'prove' that homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of the church. However, as Matt says, these must not be taken literally.
Matt cleverly points out that the most popular quote used ('a man must not lie with a man the same as a woman, etc.') most likely only had to do with keeping clean, as back then, they believed that STD's were only passed from man to man, whereas now we know that diseases are passed man to woman, woman to man as well.
Matt also said that the same disciple who wrote the quote also wrote, basically, that a man's beard must not be shaved, and that materials in clothing must not be mixed, thus making haircuts and pantsuits against the Holy One's word (at this, I actually had to stop the piece and laugh because I didn't want to miss anything).
His final point was that it isn't fair that some rules of the Bible be disregarded and others enforced to an extreme. Churches should realize that the Bible can be interpreted many different ways; Gays and Lesbians are just as real and human as the rest of us.
I loved the piece. It was very professional, and struck the the point, while incorporating humor, and thought provoking ideas. I think any Christian listening to this story would listen carefully and might even be in agreement with what Matt has to say.
Depending upon whether you're Pat Robertson or Hugh Heffner, you can quote the Bible to support pretty much everything your crackpot mind is set to believe. In fact, the Bible is a multifaceted document open to as many various and sundry interpretations as our Constitution. But whereas our Constitution has the Supreme Court as its ultimate arbiter, the Bible is up for grabs by every Jew and Christian on the planet -- no matter whether you side with the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, or Rabbi Hillel the Elder.
Matt Terrell's polished drop-in monologue, nicely interlaced with a woman reading passages from the Bible, flies in the face of Fundamentalists whose loathing for homosexuality may be traced to one particularly virulent anti-gay passage, Lev. 20.13. Placing this passage in historical context, Terrell argues that Leviticus was concerned with a "holiness code" written to protect ancient Hebrews from what they considered uncleanly, disease-ridden acts practiced by homosexuals at the time. Little were the Old Testament patriarchs aware of STDs transmitted by heterosexuals!
With characteristic SCAD irreverence, Terrell goes on to discredit New Testament Paul's troglodyte -- or, to switch religions, Taliban -- attitudes about women. The same Paul who wrote with such transcendent wisdom and power about charity in 1 Cor. 13, wrote, "Let women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2.11-12)!
Happily, Terrell ends on a positive note. Sure, we should take the Bible with a grain of salt. On the other hand, if the pinnacle of Christian ideals consists of Jesus's new commandment, "Love one another," according to Terrell, churches should "open up their doors to gays, lesbians and straights alike."
Comments for What the Bible says about Gays. And Women. And Pantsuits. And Haircuts.
This piece belongs to the series "Interesting Point with SCADRadio"
Produced by Matthew Terrell
Other pieces by SCAD Radio
Rating Summary
2 comments
Zoe Bossiere
Posted on December 27, 2007 at 04:06 PM | Permalink
Review of What the Bible says about Gays. And Women. And Pantsuits. And Haircuts.
The Bible, and what it says about Gays, Lesbians, (and, apparently, pantsuits) has been a rather controversial issue for very many years. Most people believe that the passages in the bible commonly used to 'prove' that homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of the church. However, as Matt says, these must not be taken literally.
Matt cleverly points out that the most popular quote used ('a man must not lie with a man the same as a woman, etc.') most likely only had to do with keeping clean, as back then, they believed that STD's were only passed from man to man, whereas now we know that diseases are passed man to woman, woman to man as well.
Matt also said that the same disciple who wrote the quote also wrote, basically, that a man's beard must not be shaved, and that materials in clothing must not be mixed, thus making haircuts and pantsuits against the Holy One's word (at this, I actually had to stop the piece and laugh because I didn't want to miss anything).
His final point was that it isn't fair that some rules of the Bible be disregarded and others enforced to an extreme. Churches should realize that the Bible can be interpreted many different ways; Gays and Lesbians are just as real and human as the rest of us.
I loved the piece. It was very professional, and struck the the point, while incorporating humor, and thought provoking ideas. I think any Christian listening to this story would listen carefully and might even be in agreement with what Matt has to say.
James Reiss
Posted on July 06, 2007 at 05:57 PM | Permalink
Review of What the Bible says about Gays. And Women. And Pantsuits. And Haircuts.
Depending upon whether you're Pat Robertson or Hugh Heffner, you can quote the Bible to support pretty much everything your crackpot mind is set to believe. In fact, the Bible is a multifaceted document open to as many various and sundry interpretations as our Constitution. But whereas our Constitution has the Supreme Court as its ultimate arbiter, the Bible is up for grabs by every Jew and Christian on the planet -- no matter whether you side with the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, or Rabbi Hillel the Elder.
Matt Terrell's polished drop-in monologue, nicely interlaced with a woman reading passages from the Bible, flies in the face of Fundamentalists whose loathing for homosexuality may be traced to one particularly virulent anti-gay passage, Lev. 20.13. Placing this passage in historical context, Terrell argues that Leviticus was concerned with a "holiness code" written to protect ancient Hebrews from what they considered uncleanly, disease-ridden acts practiced by homosexuals at the time. Little were the Old Testament patriarchs aware of STDs transmitted by heterosexuals!
With characteristic SCAD irreverence, Terrell goes on to discredit New Testament Paul's troglodyte -- or, to switch religions, Taliban -- attitudes about women. The same Paul who wrote with such transcendent wisdom and power about charity in 1 Cor. 13, wrote, "Let women learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2.11-12)!
Happily, Terrell ends on a positive note. Sure, we should take the Bible with a grain of salt. On the other hand, if the pinnacle of Christian ideals consists of Jesus's new commandment, "Love one another," according to Terrell, churches should "open up their doors to gays, lesbians and straights alike."
I say hallelujah, Matt!