It seems that once more we are subjected to yet another homophobic sermon by someone who uses the Bible as justification for their argument. In the letter The Bible and Homosexuality (July 7), Joseph Aquilina proceeds by quoting extensively the first chapter St Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Forgive me for pointing it out, but the texts he quoted do not refer to homosexuals but to idolaters, a fact which I have verified with the New American Bible, and the Bibbja published by the MUSEUM. Surely these two sources are as authoritative as Bibles get.
I will not go into the whole argument of whether God hates homosexuals, but I will point out that contrary to what Mr Aquilina thinks, homosexuals do not lead any particularly different lifestyle. Sure, there are homosexuals who lead a decidedly flamboyant and hedonistic lifestyle, just as there are heterosexuals who lead such a lifestyle. It may come as a surprise to Mr Aquilina, but homosexuals work across all levels of society. There are gay mechanics and lesbian models, and there are transsexual clerks and bisexual bank managers. As for choice, no sane person would choose to be homosexual; not with all the rampant homophobia around. The choice lies not in whether you are gay or straight, but in whether you want to accept it or not.
Furthermore, it would be hypocritical of the Catholic community to use the Bible to justify homophobia. No self-respecting theologian would take the Bible ad letteram. There are hundreds of social issues which were deemed unacceptable in Biblical times, which are now refuted by the Church. The Pentateuch is replete with laws regarding slavery, the segregation of menstruating women, and the prohibition of certain food. St Paul, the Apostle so dearly quoted by Mr Aquilina, has an extensive passage on women's subjugation to males (1 Cor, 11 2 -16). So is Mr Aquilina suggesting that we bring back slavery and revoke women's rights?
As for Adam and Steve/Eve, the point of that parable is not "And on the sixth day God created heterosexuality" but "God created humanity in his own image". Somehow, homophobia, or indeed another form of prejudice, does not seem to fit in with the Catholic doctrine of God the Almighty and All-loving Father.
The Bible and homosexuality by Joseph Aquilina, Ontario, Canada (Times of Malta, July 7, 2007)
First of all, if a person practises homosexuality he is going contrary to what God says and expects. It is unnatural and against Christian principles. And to participate in receiving Holy Communion is profane.
Gays were not born that way, they chose to live that lifestyle. God did not create Adam and Steve, He created Adam and Eve.
I suggest that Mr Gauci Cunningham reads the whole chapter of Romans Chapter 1 of the Bible. It's all there. And God does not make mistakes.
"Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1: 21).
"And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1: 23)
"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanliness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves." (Romans 1:24).
"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator, who is blessed for ever." (Romans 1:25)
"For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. (Romans 1:26)"
"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, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was met." (Romans 1:27)
"Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:32)
The job of he who loves the Church is to bear witness to the truth. The truth is in the Word of God and not in man's understanding.
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