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Truth Doesn't Change Over Time
if were talking about the bible...
so what about sodom and gomorrah? Did God burn down that homosexual city because he had a sudden urge to be an arsonist? Really, now. In the plainest terms, sin is defined by God, God burned down a city full of homosexuals (in other words, he doesn't like it), THEREFORE homosexuality is a sin. As defined by God. As defined by the Bible.
- zebrakin
November 23, 2008 9:38PM
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The Sin of Sodom
Here's what Ezekiel has to say about the sins of Sodom.
Ezekiel 16: 49-50
49 " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. 50 They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.
In Mark 6:7-13, Jesus informs the apostles to go out and preach, but take nothing with them and to rely on the hospitality of towns. Any town that doesn't show them hospitality will be dealt with, such as Sodom and Gomorrah. No mention of sex.
So, no, God did not burn down a city of homosexuals, claiming that he didn't like it. He burned down a city full of people who were arrogant, rude to their neighbors, showed no concern for taking care of the poor, the sick, the elderly, etc. This also fits in with the hospitality laws of the ancient world. That is, even if you're worst enemy shows up on your door begging for help, you help him. That's why there's a lot of ancient myths of gods disguising themselves as beggars. The story of Baucis and Philemon is a parallel story to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and in that story, the gods destroy the area because the people would not go out of their way to help anyone.
- Shemhazai
November 28, 2008 9:48PM
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Sin as defined by...who, again?
You can't define anything by saying, "It's whatever God/Zeus/Odin/Charlie says it is." Well, not if you expect to be taken seriously, anyway.
When is an act a "sin", and why? Does someone have to be harmed? Is it enough that it offends someone?
Can you do better than this? “Sin lies only in hurting other people unnecessarily. All other "sins" are invented nonsense. (Hurting yourself is not sinful - just stupid).” - Robert A. Heinlein
- GalapagosPete
December 6, 2008 9:37AM
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