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Policy on working with the media |
 Why bother with what the Bible says?
For many people the Bible is not a book they want to read, or give authority to. Even for many Christians the Bible is just one source of authority which must be taken into consideration along with tradition, personal conscience and reason. However, the Bible is seen as one of the major sources for our culture; based as it is on the thoughts and principles of Judaism and Christianity.
During the debate to lower the age of consent for gay men in February 1994 in the British House of Commons, the Bible was cited by many speakers. For many Christians from evangelical or conservative backgrounds the Bible is a major cornerstone of their faith, and a great stumbling block when trying to reconcile spirituality and sexuality.
For these reasons it is essential to know that the Bible does not have to be seen as a book of condemnation for us. We can argue back with those who seek to condemn us and use their own arguments and methods to win.
 To say the Bible condemns lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, and that such condemnation should be followed today, is to oversimplify a complex issue. Parts of the Bible do seem to condemn us but, when compared with other, equally problematic and often sexist passages, it is clear that the phrase, "the Bible says" is not a sufficient argument for anything.
When dealing with the Bible we need to be aware of what it says about itself - especially in the story of Sodom - and also to see how it has been used over the ages. We need to develop, what feminist theologians call, an interpretation of suspicion which questions how texts either affirm or condemn women, lesbians, gays and other minorities.
If they are condemning, then they are not, and cannot be, words from a God of Love!
We invite you read through the following short articles which offer some more detailed insights into this whole area of "The Bible says...".
The seven deadly texts - Interpretations of:
What to say when the Bible is used as a weapon - Does the whole village really need to stone my neighbour to death, or can we nominate a few people to do it for us?
Some surprising things to ponder - What does textual study tell us about Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, the centurion and his slave? |
