I have a question, but that's not it. That was just a trick to get Glee fans to read my blog. But in all seriousness, I really am curious what people think about the issue I'm about to discuss. Of course I have an agenda--don't we all?--but we can still converse and learn from each other. I'll go ahead and give my disclosures for the hypothetical readers who don't know me, or those who have managed to interact with me without learning my stance: I am a humanist. To clarify, as there are many different humanisms, the humanism I speak of is secular and rejects supernatural explanations of the world.
Now, my question concerns the holy text of the three major monotheisms. If I were to read the whole Bible, I'm sure I would generate an enormous list of passages that trouble me, but for now I will focus on Leviticus 20:13. (That's right, Jews. You are not exempt from this question. This shit is in the Torah.) Leviticus 20:13 is the verse that says that sex between two men is an abomination punishable by death. My question is, what does one do with such a statement? It's kind of a big issue, but I haven't been able to find an adequate answer. As I see it, there are four ways to go:
1. Uphold the holy word and sentence gay men to death. Lesbians, too, if you think that was implied. In this case, I would have to respectfully disagree. Scratch that--disrespectfully disagree.
2. Say that this is a misinterpretation; the real meaning of the verse is x. In which case I say, speak up!!! Tell me what it means! Tell everyone what it means! Stop the hate!
3. Reject this verse, but keep the rest. Which, of course, brings me to my preferred solution...
4. Reject the whole book. If you reject one verse because it doesn't fit in with your values, why do you even need the Bible? Clearly you are able to derive your values from other sources. Also consider, for a moment, creation myths. Why trust a source that has so much false information and hatred? If modern science and ethics shape your interpretation of the Bible, I don't see why the Bible is necessary. Some of the teachings of religion might turn out to be true, or good, but given how much we've already disproved or rejected, we know its methods are flawed. Allow science and your instincts to shape your understanding of the world. That's my two cents. But I want to hear yours.
