[Linux4christians] Shellfish Logic and the Defense of Homosexual Marriage - EXCELLENT!

[Peter B. Steiger]

Wow.  A week of little to no discussion at all, and look what suddenly
exploded!  So many interesting comments, it will take me a while to digest
all of this...

One thing I wanted to throw into the mix was the discussion on the word
"malakos" from 1 Corinthians 6.  Various Bible translations interpret this
as "effeminate" or "homosexual", but I don't see how they made that leap.

Understand, I'm not saying there is no scriptural basis indicating
homosexual acts are a sin; indeed the other verses mentioned in this thread
make it quite clear that homosexual relations are every bit as unacceptable
as reviling, gossiping, coveting, or drunkenness (good thing none of us are
ever guilty of any of that, eh?)

But I have always wondered about this specific verse.  Jesus uses the term
"malakos" Himself in Matthew 11:8 -- "But what did you go out to see?  A man
dressed in soft clothing [malakos]?  No, those who wear soft clothing are in
palaces."

My theory is that this term -- in both Matthew and 1 Corinthians -- suggests
a disapproval of the pampered, the overprivileged.  The condemnation here is
not against effeminacy or clothing styles, but against self-indulgence to
the neglect of others less fortunate.  Remember, Jesus spoke extensively in
metaphorical images.

But that's just my own reading of the term, and really a minor nit to pick
against the greater message conveyed throughout scripture.

Some of this other stuff... hoo boy.  Some parts (but not all) of God's word
are just a myth, and certain pastors are gifted with the ability to tell us
what is true and what is myth?  And even if you accept the rather bizarre
proposition that Adam was created as a hermaphrodite, hermaphrodite !=
homosexual, so you couldn't use that premise to justify homosexuality even
if it were true

Rock on, brothers and sisters.

Shalom,
*PBS*
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