by Gary T. Panell

No doubt you have seen these signs that read, “IT’S OK TO BE GAY!” I’m sure these signs have encouraged some people to feel right about their gay lifestyle. Or others, who have been considering a gay lifestyle, may even decide to go that way after seeing one of these signs.

It is interesting as well, to take note of the very use of the word ‘gay’ to describe the homosexual lifestyle. The American Heritage Dictionary gives the meaning of this word ‘gay’ to be, “1. Showing or characterized by exuberance or happy excitement; merry 2. Bright or lively, especially in color. 3. Full of or given to social pleasures. [This is, of course what the word used to mean, however, now, the word has come to mean:] 4. Dissolute; licentious. 5. Homosexual. A homosexual.

When Barack Obama was running for president he was asked about what he felt the Bible taught on the subject of homosexuality, and he said something to the effect, “Oh, there is just some obscure passage in Romans that talks about it.”

So it is not surprising that the Obama administration has called for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman; he has also made nominations of homosexual-rights advocates to key government positions; and has extended employment benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

“Along with supporting a White House proclamation declaring June 2009 as ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month,’ the President said, ‘I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender candidates to senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of my administration.” (Israel My Glory Volume 67, Number 5, September/October 2009)

“President Obama’s ‘safe schools czar,’ Kevin Jenning’s [has] been a long-time member of the extremist homosexual organization ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power). Act Up’s demonstrations in the late 1980s and early 1990s [and since that time] centered on vandalism of churches, businesses, and homes as well as disrupting public events. “The Catholic Church [is] a favored target because it opposes same-sex marriage and the distribution of condoms…” (The Washington Times, Oct. 22, 2009, p. A 24)

President Barack Obama has been a long time member of the United Church of Christ (UCC). “The UCC maintains full communion with several other mainline Protestant denominations and participates in worldwide ecumenical efforts…The UCC’s 5,320 congregations claim about 1.1 million members [at this time 2010], primarily in the United States.

“The national settings of the UCC have historically favored progressive or liberal views on civil rights, gay rights, women’s rights, abortion, and other social issues. However, United Church of Christ congregations have freedom in matters of doctrine and ministry, and may or may not support the national body’s theological or moral stances. It is self-described as ‘an extremely pluralistic and diverse denomination’.

“Churches in the UCC can sanctify same-sex unions. The resolution ‘In support of equal marriage rights for all‘ supported by an estimated 80% of the UCC’s 2005 general synod delegates, made the United Church of Christ the first major Christian deliberative body in the U.S. to make a statement of support for ‘equal marriage rights for all people, regardless of gender,’ and is hitherto the largest Christian denominational entity in the U.S. supporting same-sex marriage.

“This resolution (and the sanctification of same-sex marriages), however, is not supported by some congregations. Of particular note, the Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico, a long-standing congregation in the UCC, voted by a 3—1 margin to withdraw its affiliation with the UCC over the same-sex marriage issue.” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

At the website address (www.gaychurch.org) I was able to count as many as 4602 churches that claim to be Welcoming Gay Friendly Churches in the United States [2010].

There is another growing group of churches called the Metropolitan Community Churches which was found in 1968. This group states about its beliefs: “This is the simple declaration of what MCC believes, as stated in our By-Laws, and accepted by our General Conference: ‘Christianity is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and is the religion set forth in the scriptures. Jesus Christ is foretold in the Old Testament, presented in the New Testament, and proclaimed by the Christian Church in every age and in every land.

“Founded in the interest of offering a church home to all who confess and believe, Metropolitan Community Church moves in the mainstream of Christianity. Our faith is based upon the principles outlined in the historic creeds: Apostles and Nicene.

“We believe:

“-In one triune God, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, of one substance and of three persons: God –our Parent-Creator; Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, God in flesh, human; and the Holy Spirit – God as our Sustainer.

“-That the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, showing forth God to every person through the law and the prophets, and finally, completely and ultimately on earth in the being of Jesus Christ.

“-That Jesus…the Christ…historically recorded as living some 2,000 years before this writing, is God incarnate, of human birth, fully God and fully human, and that by being one with God, Jesus has demonstrated once and forever that ll people are likewise Children of God, being spiritually made in God’s image.

“-That the Holy Spirit is God making known God’s love and interest to all people. The Holy Spirit is God, available to and working through all who are willing to place their welfare in God’s keeping.

“-Every person is justified by grace to God through faith in Jesus Christ.” (MCC Metropolitan Community Churches)

They go on to state: “A growing number of biblical and theological scholars now recognize that Scripture does not condemn loving, responsible homosexual relationships. Therefore, gay men and lesbians should be accepted – just as they are-in Christian churches, and homosexual relationships should be celebrated and affirmed!” (Rev. Elder Don Eastman, Homosexuality: Not a Sin, Not a Sickness, Pt. 1 Metropolitan Community Churches)

But what does the Bible say about being ‘gay’ or homosexual?

The passage of Scripture Barack Obama mentioned as being ‘some obscure passage in Romans’ turns out to be Romans 1:22-29a. It states: “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man-and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness…”

Here is what Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches says about Paul’s writings: “By now it should be clear that these verses must be read in the cultural context of the Mediterranean world that understood socially acceptable sexual behavior to happen only one way: among unequals with the dominant partner always an adult male.

“It is also important to read these verses in Romans within their larger context…Paul’s reference to natural and unnatural sexual acts must be taken in light of Mediterranean sexuality. He is not attempting to give an ethical teaching concerning homosexuality. He is trying to meet his Gentile audience on their own terms; using the example of some people who are not upholding the dominant/submissive model as an opportunity to talk about all person’ need for the saving grace of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches)

We will look at some other interpretations of Scripture by Rev. West later, but this is the usual way gays try to explain away any reference to homosexual acts as being wrong or for that matter same sex marriages as being wrong. Actually they twist these verses to mean something other than their obvious literal meaning.

No wonder St. Peter reminds us: “…our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:15b-18)

These same ‘Bible teachers’ also conveniently forget these Scriptures as well: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)

Rev. West says concerning Scripture interpretation, “When dealing with matters of biblical interpretation one always needs to keep in mind the role of the authority of the Bible in matters of faith and practice. [Sounds good so far, but keep reading.] While the Bible is an important witness to the relationship between God and humanity, it is not the ultimate revelation of God—Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is. [Sounds good, but keep reading what else she says.] We must guard against what some scholars have called bibliolatry—making an idol out of scripture.

“One way to guard against bibliolatry is to realize that while the Bible may be at the center of matters of faith, it must also be in ‘conversation’ with tradition, experience and reason.” (Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches)

In other words we will decide what is true and not what the Bible has declared as His Holy Word. Teaching this they also forget this verse from Psalms about God’s Word. “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” (Psalm 138:2)

“…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20,21) Does this sound like we should have a ‘conversation’ with tradition, experience and reason to figure out what God is saying through Scripture or just accept it at face value as the Word of God? Look at our article: Is there even one mistake in the Bible for more on this subject.

As it turns out, contrary to what many people believe, this subject of homosexuality is not just in some ‘obscure’ passage in Romans, but is prevalent in all of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Two well known Old Testament passages say, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13)

I will quote Dr. West again, because it seems that most if not all gays use her method of twisting the truth of God’s Word on this subject of homosexuality. Here is what she and they say on these straight forward verses from Leviticus 18 and 20.

“These verses are part of the Holiness Code in the Old Testament book of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that attempted to spell out ways the people of Israel would act differently than their Mediterranean neighbors. In light of the previously mentioned sexual practices of Israel’s neighbors, it becomes clear that this prohibition in Leviticus was an attempt to preserve the internal harmony of Jewish male society by not allowing them to participate in anal intercourse as a form of expressing or gaining social and political dominance. These verses in no way prohibit, nor do they even speak, to loving, caring sexual relationships between people of the same gender.” (Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches)

In fact, though, the New Testament makes it very clear that a person who is living a ‘gay’ lifestyle and does not repent of this lifestyle (have a change of attitude and action about this lifestyle), will end up going to hell for eternity.

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God…”

You might say, “Well, that is rather harsh, don’t you think?” Remember, I didn’t say it, God did, in His book the Bible. Now, notice, though that there were Christians in the early Church who had been homosexuals, but they had repented of their sin and turned from it to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Now, they wanted nothing to do with their old way of life.

These people had been saved, cleansed, set apart, and made just as if they had never sinned. How did this happen? When they told God they knew they were sinners and that they wanted to be forgiven for their sins, then the Lord Jesus by the Holy Spirit forgave them and made them children of God. “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

“But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 1 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1:8-11)

However, Rev. West says of these verses: “There are two major issues to consider when one approaches these passages: translation and sexual practices of Greek culture. A comparison of these verses in several translations of the Bible indicates that there is some confusion about how to translate two Greek words in these lists of vices Paul has enumerated. The two words are arsenokoitai which is rendered in various translations as ‘homosexuals,’ ‘sodomites,’ ‘child molesters,’ or ‘perverts’ and malakoi which is rendered in various translations as ‘catamites,’ ‘the effeminate,’ or ‘boy prostitutes.’

“These Greek words are difficult to translate in the context of these passages. Malakoi is a common term and means ‘soft.’ It can refer to clothing (Matthew 11:8) or moral matters, meaning ‘undisciplined.’ Arsenokoitai is a rare word and is made up of arseno meaning ‘man,’ and koitai meaning ‘bed, lying, or having sex with.’ When put together the word may mean ‘male prostitutes.” [She uses the Greek, but then goes on to put her own interpretation and meaning to these words]

“When these words are placed in the context of Greek culture in which Paul was writing, the passages have very specific meanings. As we have seen earlier, the Mediterranean world had a definition of sexuality that was based on dominance/submission and unequal status. Greek culture fine tuned that definition with regard to status.

“Proper sexual relations occurred between people whose status was unequal. In addition there was a practice in ancient Greek culture known as pederasty in which younger men were socialized and educated through a close relationship with an older man…Evidently there was some abuse happening in these relationships and young boys were being exploited and kept by the patron well after the boy had grown into adulthood (which would have made him an equal, hence violating the code of sex only among unequals). These abusive relationships are what the apostle Paul is referencing, not mutually loving and caring relationships between people of the same sex.” (Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches)

Does this type of reasoning sound like any argument will work as long as it doesn’t say Scripture is speaking against homosexuality as being sinful?

Yes, the Bible teaches very clearly that being ‘gay-homosexual’ is a sinful life-style, but there is hope for every sinner whether it is this sin of homosexuality or some other sins that are in our lives, we can be made clean by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ! Through His blood alone we can be saved!

“…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5)

While President Obama was running for office he went several times to visit with V. Gene Robinson. You ask who is V. Gene Robinson. This is none other than the Bishop of New Hampshire, who was the first openly homosexual prelate in the Episcopal Church.

When he was “consecrated,” he received a standing ovation from a crowd of more than 3,000. When interviewed, he said, “it’s not about me; it’s about so many other people who find themselves at the margins.” (TIME, 11/17/03)

There are many other “Christian” leaders like Robinson who are encouraging the homosexual life-style! Not only that, we see government leaders today going out of their way to let people know where they stand on this subject of homosexuality. Oh, they may not claim to be ‘gay’ themselves, but they are doing everything they can to lead as many people down that path as they can.

Where does this path lead to? According to the Bible it leads to eternal judgment! “ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)

You say, but that is just the words of some ‘obscure person.’ No, this is what Jesus Christ himself says about being ‘gay.’ Jesus also says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

“Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” (Revelation 22:12-15)

Some gays claim that they were born that way, however, in a 1980 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry there were eleven former homosexual men who became heterosexuals ‘”without explicit treatment and/or long-term psychotherapy” through their participation in a Pentecostal church. (E.M. Pattison and M.L. Pattison, “Ex-Gays’: Religiously Mediated Change in Homosexuals,” American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 137, pp. 1553-1562, 1980)

Matt Barber of Concerned Women of America has stated:

“Homosexuality has become an increasingly prevalent part of modern society. It has infiltrated our schools, our news media, our entertainment media and may soon redefine our concept of marriage.

“However, homosexuality is by its very nature dangerous to those who practice it. And society is doing homosexuals a disservice when it endorses and promotes homosexuality as normal. In doing so, it is encouraging these Americans to engage in self-destructive behavior.

“Homosexuality is an issue of morality. But it is also a fundamental issue of public health. The evidence is clear…

“The future of America hangs in the balance. If society is not willing to address the homosexual issue on moral grounds, then the medical evidence alone should be enough to convince the fair-minded that homosexuality is incompatible with good public health.” (http://www.cwfa.org/articles/959CWA/family/index.htm)

Here are some examples of health issues:

“In regards to homosexual couples and domestic violence, a…study by the Canadian government states that ‘violence was twice as common among homosexual couples compared with heterosexual couples.’ (2004 General Social Survey, Statistics Canada, Canada’s National Statistical Agency, July 7, 2005)

“Also, according to the American College of Pediatricians who cite several studies, ‘Violence among homosexual partners is two to three times more common than among married heterosexual couples.’ (http://www.acpeds.org/?CONTEXT=art&cat=22&ar=50)

“A study by a group of University of Chicago researchers reveals a high level of promiscuity and unhealthy behavior among that city’s homosexual male population. According to the researchers, 42.9 percent of homosexual men in Chicago’s Shoreland area have had more than 60 sexual partners, while an additional 18.4 percent have had between 31 and 60 partners…As a result, 55.1 percent of homosexual males in Shoreland – known as Chicago’s ‘gay center’ – have at least one sexually transmitted disease, researchers said.” (Baptist Press, MARRIAGE DIGEST: New study: Homosexual men prone to promiscuity by Michael Foust Posted on Jan. 16, 2004)

“A survey by The Advocate, a homosexual magazine, revealed that promiscuity is a reality among homosexuals. The poll found that 20 percent of homosexuals said they had had 51-300 different sex partners in their lifetime, with an additional 8 percent having had more than 300. (http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/9/152006g.asp)

“As Canada and several U.S. states move toward the legalization of so-called homosexual ‘marriage,’ a new study has found that homosexual partnerships last, on average, only one-and-a-half years.

“The study is based on the health records of young Dutch homosexuals by Dr. Maria Xiridou of the Amsterdam Municipal Health Service and published in the May issue of the journal AIDS. It also found that men in homosexual relationships have an average of eight partners a year outside their main partnership, adding more evidence to the ‘stereotype’ that homosexuals tend to be promiscuous. (Homosexual Unions Last Only 1.5 Years, Says New Study & AIDS. 17(7):1029-1038, May 2, 2003)

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated the following regarding syphilis in the United States: ‘While surveillance data are not available by risk behavior, a separate CDC analysis suggest that approximately 64 percent of all adult P&S syphilis cases in 2004 were among men who have sex with men… (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r051108.htm)

“In 2006, The Medical Journal of Australia stated the following: ‘High rates of intestinal parasitism are found in MSM [men who have sex with men] throughout the world.’”(Damien J. Stark, Rashmi Foedar, John T. Ellis and John L. Harkness, MJA 2006; 185 (8): 417)

We could go on and on with health reports, but I think the above information shows a pattern, first of an unnatural relationship, and the devastating health results.

Christians who speak against homosexuality will be considered ‘hate’ criminals.

“There have been a notable number of incidents involving the issue of homosexuality and the suppression of religious liberty in regards to dissent and the objectionableness of homosexuality.

“For example, in October of 2001, a 69 year old street preacher named Harry Hammond from Bournemouth, England was subjected to assault by an angry crowd of 40 people while he proclaimed his Christian views in the town center which included a call to repentance in respect to homosexuality. Mr. Hammond was arrested, prosecuted and fined but no arrests were made in respect to those who assaulted him. Appeals to overturn the verdict, which included an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, were dismissed. (www.christian.org.uk/rel_liberties/cases/harry/hammond.htm)

The book The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian

The book The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian describes how Harvard -educated marketing professionals Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen were able to change some American’s perceptions regarding homosexuality .

David Kupelian writes about how the destructive homosexual lifestyle was marketed to America despite the homosexuality statistics above:

“…let me introduce you to two experts on the selling of homosexuality to America; in fact, they wrote the book. Harvard-educated marketing professionals Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen authored the acknowledged PR bible of the gay-rights movement, “After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the ’90s.”The sophisticated strategy Kirk and Madsen lay out for changing the way Americans think about homosexuality boasts three phases: “Desensitization,” “Jamming” and “Conversion.” “Desensitization,” these two gay marketing gurus tell us, consists of inundating the public in a “continuous flood of gay-related advertising, presented in the least offensive fashion possible. If straights can’t shut off the shower, they may at least eventually get used to being wet.”… “Jamming,” explains marketing expert Paul E. Rondeau of Regent University, in his comprehensive study “Selling Homosexuality to America,” “is psychological terrorism meant to silence expression of or even support for dissenting opinion.” Radio counselor and psychologist Dr. Laura Schlessinger experienced big-time jamming during the run-up to her planned television show. Outraged over a single comment critical of homosexuals she had made on her radio program, activists launched a massive intimidation campaign against the television program’s advertisers. As a result, the new show was stillborn. “After the Ball” tries to inspire potential jammers by providing a juicy list of negative associations with which opponents, usually Christians, are to be smeared. They include: “Klansmen demanding that gays be slaughtered or castrated,” “hysterical backwoods preachers, drooling with hate,” “menacing punks, thugs and convicts who speak coolly about the ‘fags’ they have bashed,” and a “tour of Nazi concentration camps where homosexuals were tortured and gassed.”…. For the inside scoop on the meaning of conversion, let’s check in with our gay brainwashing experts, Kirk and Madsen: We mean conversion of the average American’s emotions, mind, and will, through a planned psychological attack, in the form of propaganda fed to the nation via the media. We mean “subverting” the mechanism of prejudice to our own ends – using the very processes that made America hate us to turn their hatred into warm regard – whether they like it or not. (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49958) Now let’s look at other Old Testament Bible passages that have to do with Homosexuality: “They shouted to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out so we can have sex with them.'” (Genesis 19:5) NIV “While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men in the town surrounded the house. They began beating at the door and shouting to the old man, ‘Bring out the man who is staying with you so we can have sex with him.'” (Judges 19:22) NIV I want to give Dr. West’s view of this passage first, to be fair: “…The men of Sodom want to ‘know’ (yadah – a Hebrew word that can mean sexual intercourse) the foreigners who have come to Lot’s house. In essence they want to rapethem in order to show their social and cultural dominance over them. “This story is not a condemnation of homosexuality, but is a story about rape and inhospitality. In other biblical texts (Ezekiel 16:49, Luke 17:28-29) Sodom’s ‘sin’ is not identified as homosexuality, rather, their sins were pride, failure to help the poor, and lack of hospitality to foreigners.” (Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. of the Metropolitan Community Churches) Now let’s look at the vast majority of commentaries and the views expressed by them on this very important Old Testament history of Sodom and Gomorrah. “The tragic experience with the men of the city of Sodom, at Lot’s house, demonstrated that the ugliest situation imaginable prevailed in Sodom. The angels, who had come under divine orders to discover the extent of human depravity there, needed no further disclosure. The vilest, most unspeakable brand of sin was practiced openly and brazenly. The messengers from God had only to pronounce official sentence, give due warning, and seek in every way possible to lead Lot and his reluctant family from the doomed city.” (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary) “The inhabitants of Canaan were addicted to Baal worship, which was conducted by priests in temples and in good weather outdoors in fields and particularly on hilltops called ‘high places.’ “The cult included animal sacrifice, ritualistic meals and licentious dances. Near the rock altar was a sacred pillar or massebah , and close by the symbol of the asherah , both of which apparently symbolized human fertility. High places had chambers for sacred prostitution by male prostitutes (kedishim) and sacred harlots (kedeshoth) (1 Kings 14:23, 24; 2 Kings 23:7). The gaiety and licentious character of Baal worship always had a subtle attraction for the austere Hebrews bound to serve a holy God under a rigorous moral code.” (Unger’s Bible Dictionary) “For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons (Hebrew qadesh, one practicing sodomy and prostitution in religious rituals) in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.” (1 Kings 14:23, 24) Speaking of King Josiah and his reforms it says: “Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. “And he brought out the wooden image (Asherah, a Canaanite goddess).Then he tore down the ritual booths (literal houses) of the perverted persons (Hebrew qedeshim, those practicing sodomy and prostitution in religious rituals) that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the wooden image. And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnon, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech. (2 Kings 23:5-10) You see once Israel started down that proverbial “slippery slope” into homosexuality, related to their idolatry, there was no stopping until God judged them, even though there were some revivals of holiness. I am afraid for America, that we are about to experience God’s wrath if we do not repent of our sins. Homosexuality is portrayed on television anymore as very nice and neat. They make it look like homosexual ‘marriages’ are the same as heterosexual marriages. This is not the case if you study into the statistics. They want children to be adopted and grow up in this environment. As is pointed out in the two references mentioned from Genesis and Judges there is this thing among gay-homosexuals, to continue to make conquests, and often it is to get younger and younger children. No one can tell me otherwise, you can look at the statistics, but I know firsthand. This is not something I really like to talk about, but it should be known to help prevent its spread. A neighbor teenager tried to seduce me even as a child, thank God his mother found him out, and what he was trying to do before he was able to commit his act. I know of others who were not as fortunate as I, and are living with the guilt to this day even though they were innocent. Listen, if this is the case for you personally; God has forgiven you, if you have asked Him to. Remember these verses that we looked at before, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) You only need to look at what happened in the Roman Catholic Church to see what a problem homosexuality has caused among some of their priests. I am not attacking the Church when I say this because I believe we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. I believe this is happening in many churches, but has not been exposed as yet. “It will all come out in the wash,” as they say. The point is homosexuality spreads like wild fire when it gets started. Just a few years ago, there was some ‘play kissing’ among actors of the same gender, now look at the real thing happening in movies and television sitcoms. I know at the high school in our area they want to start a homosexual club. In another high school near here, there are young girls openly kissing on the lips in public, and claiming to be lesbians. A few years ago this would be unthinkable! I am not saying these things to “bash homosexuals,” I am just sharing with you what I see happening. I am sure that you have seen this same thing, if you are alert at all. My desire is as Paul had, and that is that they repent and are washed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves them as He loves all of us, and we are to love homosexuals, but hate their sin. However, if they hold on to their sin unto death, it will take them down to hell. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” (Revelation 22:14-15) So, yes, God destroyed every place where this vile, immoral behavior was practiced. As Billy Graham is quoted as saying, “God would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah if He doesn’t judge America for its homosexuality.” Recently I saw on television an advertisement for a new program. They were talking about how that people were afraid to say the “L” word. Then they went on to say that the time has come for people to know and appreciate their “lifestyle.” They said, “There is nothing wrong with what we are doing.” “Women should not be afraid to live what they believe, and people should not be ashamed to use the word,” they insisted, the word they were talking about, of course, is the word, “lesbians.” So now we see this taking place all around us, changing the very foundation of our culture. Here is just one example of this in the news: AP – Constance McMillen, an 18-year-old senior at Itawamba County Agricultural High School, reacts to a message … By SHELIA BYRD, Associated Press Writer Shelia Byrd, Associated Press Writer – JACKSON, Miss. – Constance McMillen didn’t believe her Mississippi school district would really call off her senior prom rather than allow her to show up with her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo. On Thursday, a day after the Itawamba County school board did just that, the 18-year-old lesbian high school senior reluctantly returned to campus to some unfriendly looks, she said. “Somebody said, ‘Thanks for ruining my senior year.'” McMillen said. The district announced Wednesday it wouldn’t host the April 2 prom. The decision came after the American Civil Liberties Union demanded that officials change a policy banning same-sex prom dates because it violated students’ rights. And the ACLU said the district not letting McMillen wear a tuxedo violated her free expression rights. The ACLU filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Oxford to force the school district to sponsor the prom and allow McMillen to bring whom she chooses and wear what she wants. District officials didn’t return numerous calls left by The Associated Press seeking comment on Thursday. McMillen said she never expected the district to respond the way it did. “A lot of people said that was going to happen, but I said, they had already spent too much money on the prom” to cancel it, she said. “I’m just trying to get done what I originally wanted done. Now, we’re having to fight just to have a prom.” McMillen said she didn’t want to go back to Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Fulton the morning after the decision, but her father told her she needed to face her classmates, teachers and school officials. “My daddy told me that I needed to show them that I’m still proud of who I am,” McMillen told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “The fact that this will help people later on, that’s what’s helping me to go on.” A school board statement said it wouldn’t host the event in Fulton, “due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events” but never mentioned McMillen or her girlfriend, who also is a student at the school. Same-sex prom dates and cross-dressing are new issues for many high schools around the country, said Daryl Presgraves, a spokesman for GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, a Washington-based advocacy group. “A lot of schools actually react rather than do the research and find out what the rights of these students are,” said Presgraves, who was preparing to facilitate a discussion about anti-gay bullying at a National Association of Secondary School Principals meeting. U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., said a bill he’s introduced in Congress would protect students such as McMillen. Polis said the measure would make it illegal to discriminate against gay and lesbian school students. He said his bill is modeled after similar laws in at least 10 states. “This situation with the prom is a perfect example of why we need to protect students from discrimination. In this case it’s a prom. It other cases, it’s getting beaten up or killed,” Polis said. Polis said he was “dismayed” by the school board’s action. “They ruined the prom, not only for this young woman, but for all of the straight kids at the school,” he said. The school district had said it hoped a privately sponsored prom could be held. McMillen said if that happens, she’s sure she’ll be excluded. “It’s a small town in Mississippi, and it’s run by an older generation with money. Most of them are more conservative and they don’t agree with it,” she said. Fulton Mayor Paul Walker said he supports the school district’s decision and knew of no private efforts to host the prom. “I think the community as a whole is probably in support of the school district,” Walker said of the town of about 4,000. Southside Baptist Church Pastor Bobby Crenshaw said he’s seen the South portrayed as “backwards” on Web sites discussing the issue, “but a lot more people here have biblically based values.” Itawamba County is a rural area of about 23,000 people in north Mississippi near the Alabama state line. It’s near Pontotoc County, Miss., where more than a decade ago school officials were sued in federal court over their practice of student-led intercom prayer and Bible classes. A couple of students had different reactions to the decision. Anna Watson, a 17-year-old junior at the high school, was looking forward to the prom, especially since the town’s only hotspot is the bowling alley, she said. “I am a little bummed out about it. I guess it’s a decision that had to be made. Either way someone was going to get disappointed — either Constance was or we were,” Watson said. “I don’t agree with homosexuality, but I can’t change what another person thinks or does.” McKenzie Chaney, 16, said she wasn’t planning to attend the prom, but “it’s kind of ridiculous that they can’t let her wear the tuxedo and it all be over with.” Presgraves said his organization hears about school districts that prohibit same-sex prom dates and gay-straight alliance clubs at schools. He said those kind of policies are detrimental to gay students. “It sends a message that these students shouldn’t be treated the same,” Presgraves said. But the Bible says, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature,” Romans 1:24-26. “They have exchanged the truth of God for the lie…” it is Satan’s lie that this “life-style” is normal and natural. The question is, “Does God love lesbians?” The answer is very clear in the Word of God, YES! God does love lesbians, but He hates their sin. The Bible talks about how some early Christians had been homosexuals, but they repented of their sin and turned to Christ for salvation, as we saw earlier. You see there were those in the early Church that had been lesbians, but they had repented of their sin, and received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus loved us so much that He came to this earth to die on the cross to take our punishment for our sins. First, though, we have to admit we have a problem. Some people say, “I was born this way, I cannot help myself.” Yes, all of us were born with a sin nature, and this is why we need Jesus to save us from our sin nature or “life-style” that is not pleasing to Him. In, Psalm 51:5, David says under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” This does not mean it is wrong to have children, it means that we are born with a sin nature. We want to do certain things in this world that God has said are wrong and are sin. For example, in the Old Testament of the Bible there were some cities where many people were practicing the homosexual or lesbian life-style. In the book of Jude in the New Testament it talks about this time, “…as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” You might wonder, how can God say he loves sinners if He judges sinners? God does love sinners, but He hates sin. What kind of God would He be if he allowed sin to go unpunished? Some would say, “What is so bad about two women or two men ‘in love’ with each other?” The problem is it is not the way God commanded it to be, look at Genesis 1:26-28, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth.” Two women living together as “mates” do not show forth the image of God. It takes both the man and the woman to show God’s characteristics. Second, it is impossible for two women to reproduce (be fruitful and multiply). The creation account is very clear as to what God intended: “And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. “Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:18, 20-25 Two women or two men living together as “husband and wife” are living a lie. Satan has deceived them into thinking they are living the “good life,” in reality they are slaves to Satan. They will never be truly happy until they obey God’s Word. So on the authority of God’s Word we do believe people can change their sexual orientation. Homosexual orientation is not ‘caused’ by hormonal imbalance or genetic factors, but by sin. People cannot be divided into two classifications: homosexual or heterosexual. Although homosexual activity is a sin, it is not the unpardonable sin. Churches should accept gay-homosexuals into the church services if they are sincerely seeking to repent of their sin of homosexuality and want to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Churches should not condone, celebrate and affirm the sin of homosexuality! If homosexuals come into the service to encourage others to be in their life-style or are there to disrupt the preaching of God’s Word they should be asked to leave. The church should not make them feel welcome as Paul says, until such a time as they are ready to repent of sin in their life. Your church should not fellowship with homosexuals or other churches that do! The Word of God makes it clear that we should have nothing to do with unrighteousness. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.’ ‘ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’” (2 Corinthians 6: 6-7:1) “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral , or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner- not even to eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:11) Here are some testimonies you can find on YouTube: Is It Possible to Stop Being Gay? INTERVIEW WITH EX-STUD JACKIE HILL For more stories and videos from our exhomosexual ministry, please click on one of the following links below: Larrell begins Ex-Homosexual Ministry Charlene E. Cothran Interview But Can I Still Be Gay? Ex-Homosexual Men pt 1 Ex-Homosexual Men pt. 2 Ex-Homosexual Men pt. 3 Let Me Holla At My Fems & Studs Folasade’s Interview “Yoo, Your testimony is very moving and powerful. Also encouraging for myself because I’m also struggling to fight sin in myself with homosexuality. But all thanks to the Lord I’ve been born again (only a month so far). So it’s very encouraging to hear you speak those words. I pray for you and hope you pray for me too.” (Marcc Antonio) “I too was raised in the church…My dad was a deacon, my mother a sunday school teacher. I too got caught up in the gay lifestyle and it’s bondage…but praise the LORD, HE wooed me and called me until I heeded HIS voice and when I turned around to see HIM…HE ran to me and has walked with me on my journey back home… I thank GOD that he has allowed me back into the kingdom…and how exciting life has become to live without fear, to live without running or hiding anything…to live clean before the LORD is so awesome…Thank GOD that HE redeemed us and bought us with a price!!!” (Susan B.) God wants to save Gays! Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” In reality, what we need to do is admit we are sinners in need of salvation. The Bible shows us how we can have our sins forgiven, first we need to know “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 3:23, 26. So now we need to say to God, I want to turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my heart and save me. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son (daughter). But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7, 8, these verses are saying that if anyone is living in a lesbian life-style when Jesus returns for them they are going to spend eternity separated from God in a terrible place of punishment. But Revelation 22:17 goes on to say, “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Salvation is yours for the asking; God loves you and wants to forgive you of all your sin! John 3:16-18 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” God does love us, and Jesus is the only way to Heaven. What we decide about Him will determine our eternal destination. What will you do with Jesus? Will you right now ask Him to forgive you for your sin, and invite Him into your heart? If you want to do this, you can pray to God in heaven: I know I have sinned and right now I want Jesus to come into me and be my Savior, in Jesus name, amen. Now, find a good Bible believing church, pray and read the Bible everyday to please God. Download this article as a PDF: Is it ok to be Gay According to the Bible?