More than the ten Commandments?

I was particularly intrigued by the statement a viewpoint writer made last week that went something like this: Clearly [homosexuality] wasn't on God's Top Ten list. That made me think a bit. In response to that statement, I'd like to offer a remark: Clearly, whoever wrote that didn't understand the context in which the Ten Commandments were written.

The Ten Commandments were only a beginning to a list of hundreds of standards of conduct that God established to govern the people of Israel and distinguish them from all other nations. Israel was God's chosen people -- the people to whom He would give a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:17), the people who would be holy, as God is holy, unlike other nations (Lev. 19:2).

If one would but read past Exodus 20, further into God's list of commandments and come to Leviticus 18, they would find: "Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy aunt.... thy uncle.... thy daughter-in-law.... thy sister-in-law.... Moreover, thou shalt not lie with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her. Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith." And several verses later, we read: "Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things [sexual offenses]: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you"

In other words, Israel was to be set apart from nations such as Sodom and Gomorrah, who were blatant in their immoral sexual practices (Gen. 18-19). Homosexuality is not addressed alone in these passages. Rather, it is pooled together with other unacceptable sexual practices such as adultery, sodomy, bestiality, and incest. Clearly, God does not approve of it in any way.

Some may still argue: Well, nobody follows Jewish Law now anyways -- that's outdated. Just flip, then, to the New Testament. Romans 1:26 reads, "For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly."

If we read even further, we find God combines homosexuality in the same group as a whole host of other sins such as fornication, murder, deceit, and covetousness. The big difference in this grouping, though, is that murder and coveting are sins against someone else, while fornication and homosexuality are sins against oneself -- a defiling of one's own body.

So then it is not just homosexuality being considered here, but all forms of behavior that go contrary to God. The question arises -- why don't we see alcoholics or drug abusers parading the streets with signs for equal rights? After all, isn't it their prerogative to choose whatever lifestyle they want? But we all know that would be inappropriate and out of place. Why then is it okay to flaunt homosexuality as some sort of prize lifestyle when it is one that is clearly and explicitly contrary not only to nature, but the very nature of God?

I know many will strongly oppose my views or call me a homophobe, but I can assure you, I'm not afraid of homosexuals. Isn't it ironic then, that in a community such as Tufts where diversity and tolerance are applauded, my beliefs about homosexuality will be seen as unfair, narrow-minded, and discriminatory?

It's not that I don't approve of or don't like the individual; I just cannot condone their immoral lifestyle, any more than I can an adulterer or alcoholic. And that's not to say I do not have my own set of sins either. We all do. But call homosexuality genetic predisposition. Call it sexual preference. Call it whatever you want. God flat out says it is sin (like He says lots of other things are sin) and an unnatural lifestyle and therefore something I cannot and will not justify.

So, the bottom line is this: Before you use a Scripture passage as the basis of your argument, read the context. Know where it's coming from. If whoever wrote that viewpoint last week knew the Bible a bit more, they might not have written that bold and inaccurate statement implying God's indifference to homosexuality. I challenge you, read the Bible for yourself. See what God has to say. In it you will find a loving and holy God who sent His only Son to die on Calvary that He might atone for your sins and mine. If you but trust Him and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you can have life eternal (John 3:16).

Lydia Claudio is a sophomore majoring in engineering science.