What the Bible Tells Me

“abomination” (a word that, in the film, biblical scholars explain actually means that something was against tradition, not a one-way ticket to hell) because it didn’t propagate the species."

But if that is the case, why would traditionalists support monogamy when polygamy would do more to propagate the species?

The definition of "abomination" is not open to interpretation. It's pretty simple and straightforward when you just look in the dictionary.

No reason to tear hair out and have debates about it. Here are the Merriam-Webster's definitions of "abomination" and "abominable" verbatim:

Main Entry: abom·i·na·tion
Function: noun
Pronunciation: &-"bä-m&-'nA-sh&n
1 : something abominable
2 : extreme disgust and hatred : LOATHING

and:

Main Entry: abom·i·na·ble
Function: adjective
Pronunciation: &-'bäm-n&-b&l, -'bä-m&-
1 : worthy of or causing disgust or hatred : DETESTABLE <the abominable treatment of the poor>
2 : quite disagreeable or unpleasant <abominable weather>
- abom·i·na·bly/-ble/ adverb

Do with it what you will. The definitions are crystal clear.

Penny, thank you for this. Isn't it wonderful to know you're beloved of God, regardless of what God's self-appointed spokespersons try to tell you?

Holly,

Perhaps you are not aware that the bible was not originally written in English. The dictionary definition of an English word has no bearing on the argument. What matters is what the original word in the original language meant within the time and culture in which the bible was written.

Hi Michelle:-)

Actually, I am very aware of the language the Bible was originally written in. I am Assyrian, and my family speaks Aramaic. My cousin was one of the translators of the Bible from the original Aramaic/ Syriac language. Thus I daresay I am most aware of the Bible's original language, moreso than the average bear.

Now, what I was saying was to simply translate the words abomination and abominable for everyone directly from the dictionary to aid in greater understanding. The words don't mean "against tradition" or anything of the kind. They are very strong words with a specific definition.

Have a great day:-)

". . .because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth."

If God is infallible, then why did he make people gay? Free will argument? Temptation?

God is more than what's found in a book, and if you don't understand right from wrong, without having to read one--or part of one, as most (maybe, all) translations are not all books of the Bible, but chosen pieces--then no book is likely to help you.

If God is omnipotent, then surely He has understanding of us greater than our own, and would know that the Bible would be a source of great confusion. If He has a plan, then no matter our "free-will" choices, He already knows what we will do, and why we will do it.

I say, let noone harm or judge another (unreasonably), and let God sort it out when the time comes. If one lives without harming others, and yet still deserves punishment for what s/he's done in a lifetime, then it's in His hands.

“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. . . .”

BTW, I personally have little understanding of God, but I like to think that I know a fair amouht about Love.

Your well written article and the reader postings that hve replied to it make one thing very obvious: this country needs to wean itself off RELIGION and join the rest of the enlightened world. It is impreative that we not continue to allow supertition to color our interpretation of morality, our treatment of our fellow human beings and our worldview.

Proof that making religion our intellectual compass is dangerous and unworkable? Exhibit A: the horrific, criminal and unelected Bush-Cheney administration. 'Nuff said.

"Proof that making religion our intellectual compass is dangerous and unworkable? Exhibit A: the horrific, criminal and unelected Bush-Cheney administration. 'Nuff said."

What religion does Bush-Cheney follow? Are their practices consistent with the Bible? (Would Jesus approve of water boarding?)

I have a question: Is it remotely possible that there is a connection between the abandonment of religion in the U.S. and the the schoolyard shootings, road rage, meth use, divorce, gang culture, as yes, the pseudo-Christian Neocon nonsense of the Bush administration the redefinement of the word "torture" as well as the general sense of unrest you see around you that has been steadily increasing for about the last four decades?

Throwing money at these problems and passing more laws sure aren't working.

Making religion an intellectual compass is just silly. So is making religion a moral compass. Intellect comes from the development of the mind. Moral strength comes from knowing the difference between right and wrong, and doing the right thing especially when no one is watching.

Religion is a man-made institution that works for a lot of people. I don't happen to be one of them. Faith in a higher power is not religion. Religions teach faith in a higher power, but there the similarity ends: some teach faith in a Creator, others teach faith in a physical leader or way of living.

Religion in and of itself is not an intellectual nor moral compass; those things must come from within the individual. Humans being the malleable creatures we are, this behavior must be taught.

And there lies the rub; kids re not being taught any kind of moral behavior, accountability or their place and power in society. They are allowed to run wild at home, in restaurants, in school and everywhere else, and heaven help the person who dares object, for they will be quickly branded as a vile child-hater.

The truth is, the person who speaks up, and the people who take the time to be parents to their children beyond the biological functions of conception and birth...these are the people who truly care, who have a moral compass, and who know how important it is to teach these kids to be citizens of their world.

Look what not caring has wrought: as Billclausen says: "schoolyard shootings, road rage, meth use, divorce, gang culture, as yes, the pseudo-Christian Neocon nonsense of the Bush administration the redefinement of the word "torture" as well as the general sense of unrest you see around you" are but a few of the problems facing us and the future generations.

Until and unless we take back from the nanny government the right to be attentive, responsible parents to our children, these problems will escalate. Faith is not a dirty word. Neither are the concepts of accountability, morality, kindness towards others, or responsibility for the environment to name a few.

The current climate of abdication of responsibility, letting kids run wild and having no moral compass in general has brought us nothing but grief. To paraphrase a quote: those who choose to forget history are doomed to repeat it.

Next time someone cuts you off in traffic or flips you off, next time some kid shoots up his school cafeteria and everyone in it, next time your kid threatens to call Child Protective Services because you grounded her for cutting class...just think about it: are we really better off nowadays?

When I read your article and the ensuing comments I am filled with a sense of frustration but also of comfort. I don’t know why; perhaps I’m just tired.
But I would like to point out that the context of the passage of scripture where the word abomination is used to describe sodomy also includes the punishment for such as stoning to death.
Don’t worry; I’ll not be picking up stones. For if this is sin then it is forgiven through faith in Jesus and his perfect work of redemption. I could easily have fellowship with you and praise and worship the Lord by your side.
Because of this I am sure many will call me a back-slider or compromiser. That’s alright; I’ve been called other things not so pretty.

"But I would like to point out that the context of the passage of scripture where the word abomination is used to describe sodomy also includes the punishment for such as stoning to death.
Don’t worry; I’ll not be picking up stones."

The part about not picking up stones (the verse about the woman caught in adultery) is a very profound verse because the whole meaning comes together. Jesus pointed out there that the old way of stoning was something he wasn't going to do and in the process said that others are also sinners so what right did THEY--being mere mortals-- have to stone this woman since they--like everyone else-were not perfect. .

In the same statement he told the woman to "go and sin no more" which makes it clear that there is a standard by which God expects all to live if they are to receive His glory.

On a tangent: Could the lack of parenting-time stem from the modern necessity of having both parents work all the time? This seems due to the current need for homes to be dual-income, just to "get by".

In the 50's and 60's, I believe that it was recommended that one-quarter of the income be devoted to housing, while the rest would be used for consumables and wants--and some could even be put away "for a rainy day". Today, it seems like housing eats up a good 50% of BOTH incomes, effectively wasting the complete income of one parent. Of course, there's some scaling involved, due to pay differences between the earners (and those from different pay brackets), but the point is: If there weren't so much pressure to scramble for money, wouldn't at least one parent be more available for actually raising their children?

[Note: I would consider families with plenty of cash, (for example, the Hiltons, or Britney Spears and Kevin Fetterline) to be outside the average of an income bell-curve--possibly, to even have their problems created by TOO MUCH $$$!]

Equus_posteriori asks: "On a tangent: Could the lack of parenting-time stem from the modern necessity of having both parents work all the time? This seems due to the current need for homes to be dual-income, just to "get by"."

Absolutely right Equus. Also, some of the economy-geeks I know say that real income just through taxes alone (hidden taxes) eat up so much that you're left with only 50% as opposed to having been left with much more in times past.

People have all the goodies today; high-end computers, stereos, and gadgets but the ability to obtain basic shelter is getting harder and harder and the response to this is not to address the fact that parents aren't there for kids anymore, but to deal with the symptoms by creating more Day Care and Youth Centers.

On the local level, where as we all know the problem of affordable shelter is horrible, none of the politicians locally (or on any level for that matter) address WHY housing is as unattanable as it is--and continues to worsern-- and as you rightly point out, causing parents to not be around for their kids and the resultant "Latchkey-Kid" phenomenon.

". . .deal with the symptoms by creating more Day Care and Youth Centers."

Oddly enough, this seems like precisely the thing that churches would excel in, having both locations and personnel "built in". And, on the religious aspect, if all were welcome, then perhaps more non-believers would get some exposure to God's word, and maybe the overzealous might gain some tolerance as well.

/end tangent.

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