Aineo - Why would I be trying to "do better" than any argument, circular or otherwise, in asking a question? I was seriously curious whether or not it came up, I was unable to find it, and I figured someone here would be able to answer one way or another. I gave a little context for my question - I'm wondering about the validity (in my worldview, of course, please don't assume that I'm here to tear away at your beliefs) of certain topics that Paul takes on, giving that I can't find correlation in the gospels with some of the things he says. I was wondering if you guys could lend a hand. The reference you came up with is rather indirect, but I think that counts.
And perhaps I should clarify what I mean by Bible literate: I mean I have read the entire text, most parts more than once and a few many times. I am by no means a bible scholar, I've just read it. I'm not here to argue theology anyway, I'm here to learn some things, take part in some discussions and maybe learn a little bit that will help me to one day have a better understanding of theology. For what it's worth, as far as I can tell the Bible does condemn homosexuality unreservedly. It's interesting to me that out of all the commands in Leviticus this one of the few that still has any attention paid to it, but I don't deny that it's there. Every claim to the contrary that I've seen so far has involved a really tortured reading.
Still, ever eat animal fat? Ever let your head be uncovered/your hair be unkempt? Ever eat pork, oysters or lobster? Leviticus forbids all of that. In Leviticus 18, included in the list of forbidden sexual practices is sex with a woman who is on her period. Do you consider that to be an abomination, worthy of exile (Lev 20)? Do you believe that adulterers and those who curse their parents should be put to death?
My point is this: I understand that condemnation of homosexuality is in there. There's a LOT of stuff in there that, for reasons I don't claim to understand, hasn't survived the same way that other things have. Why is the homosexuality rule so much more important than all the other things that I'm betting the majority of self-described Christians in this country have never heard of?
LC