Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 12-10-2010, 11:55 AM

Gene Robinson on reading Texts of Terror

Quote:

This first article is the philosophical basis for all that follows in examining the seven passages which are used to assert that God condemns homosexuality and homosexual practice. To borrow Phyllis Trible's phrase, used to describe the Biblical texts employed to keep women "in their place," these are the "texts of terror" used against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

stephan huller · 12-10-2010, 12:08 PM

Some of the early ascetic literature can similarly be described with respect to heterosexuality especially those related to the Acts of John.

show_no_mercy · 12-10-2010, 12:19 PM

He seems to have basically made an argument for moral relativism.

semiopen · 12-10-2010, 12:28 PM

Maybe the guy will get around to explaining where the bible is against lesbians, certainly mentions it often. Probably fantasizes about twins.

Roger Pearse · 12-11-2010, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Gene Robinson on reading Texts of Terror

Quote:

This first article is the philosophical basis for all that follows in examining the seven passages which are used to assert that God condemns homosexuality and homosexual practice. To borrow Phyllis Trible's phrase, used to describe the Biblical texts employed to keep women "in their place," these are the "texts of terror" used against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Yes, and what about the "texts of terror" used against those ordinary people who happen to steal, lie, rape, cheat and rob, and get viciously demonised for it.

All the best,

Roger Pearse

stephan huller · 12-11-2010, 11:34 AM

The only other people who made an industry of rejecting Christian dogma were the medieval rabbic authorities and apologist. Sinners and rapists and thieves were never as organized, never had as strong a group identity. Perhaps the reason for this is that homosexuality requires the participation of a plurality of individuals.

I wonder if there are any examples of wankers getting together and protesting the prohibitions on masturbation in the teachings of organized Judaism and Christianity

aeebee50 · 12-12-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Gene Robinson on reading Texts of Terror

Quote:

This first article is the philosophical basis for all that follows in examining the seven passages which are used to assert that God condemns homosexuality and homosexual practice. To borrow Phyllis Trible's phrase, used to describe the Biblical texts employed to keep women "in their place," these are the "texts of terror" used against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Good reading on how different people can misinterpret the Bible with the analogy of baseball. People should learn how to get along by playing ball.

boneyard bill · 12-12-2010, 11:27 PM

He does a fairly good job of critiquing the biblical inerrancy approach, but what he has to offer in its place is so general that the bible becomes useless. The biblical message may not be as straightforward as we would like, but that message exists nonetheless. Either that, or you can just forget about Christianity altogether which is what a lot of people claim is what the Anglican Church has done.

But he's promised us another essay and maybe his approach will become clearer and less broad when we see how he actually uses it.

semiopen · 12-13-2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephan huller

The only other people who made an industry of rejecting Christian dogma were the medieval rabbic authorities and apologist. Sinners and rapists and thieves were never as organized, never had as strong a group identity. Perhaps the reason for this is that homosexuality requires the participation of a plurality of individuals.

I wonder if there are any examples of wankers getting together and protesting the prohibitions on masturbation in the teachings of organized Judaism and Christianity

The prohibition seems to be anal sex between males;

frottage seems to be ok.

The wanking prohibition seems somewhat spurious to me.

Onan is used as a basis for this, but the actual problem is probably that Onan refused to perform the duties of a

Levirate_marriage.

Amusingly the Onan wiki mentions

Quote:

Some speculate that Onan and Tamar engaged in frottage or in anal sex.

.

Russellonius · 12-13-2010, 03:45 PM

I would be opposed to places of worship offering male prostitution services even if they were considered sacred. The priests ran this type of operation in the holy places of Judah for over 90% of the period of Kings.

The kings were sporadically opposed to this 6+ centuries-long priestly practice. Rehoboam did not try to stop it. Asa put an end to it. But then Jehoshaphat and Josiah also put ends to it during their reigns. Shortly after Josiah, the first Temple was destroyed, the elites were exiled, and this abominable practice of priests prostituting boys does not seem to have been started up again during the Persian period.

1Ki 14:24 Rehoboam, 1Ki 15:12 Asa, 1Ki 22:46 Jehoshaphat, 2Ki 23:7 Josiah

Scripture is not always an accurate determiner of moral behavior. It’s hard to understand why anybody would even think that! Priests should not prostitute boys PERIOD even if they offer an explanation for why the practice is sacred. Just because something is in the Bible doesn’t make it right. Damn fundamentalists!

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12-10-2010, 12:08 PM	#2
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	Some of the early ascetic literature can similarly be described with respect to heterosexuality especially those related to the Acts of John.

12-10-2010, 12:19 PM	#3
show_no_mercy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dancing Posts: 9,940	He seems to have basically made an argument for moral relativism.

12-10-2010, 12:28 PM	#4
semiopen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hillsborough, NJ Posts: 3,551	Maybe the guy will get around to explaining where the bible is against lesbians, certainly mentions it often. Probably fantasizes about twins.

12-11-2010, 11:34 AM	#6
stephan huller Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: seattle, wa Posts: 9,337	The only other people who made an industry of rejecting Christian dogma were the medieval rabbic authorities and apologist. Sinners and rapists and thieves were never as organized, never had as strong a group identity. Perhaps the reason for this is that homosexuality requires the participation of a plurality of individuals. I wonder if there are any examples of wankers getting together and protesting the prohibitions on masturbation in the teachings of organized Judaism and Christianity

12-12-2010, 11:27 PM	#8
boneyard bill Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 15,796	He does a fairly good job of critiquing the biblical inerrancy approach, but what he has to offer in its place is so general that the bible becomes useless. The biblical message may not be as straightforward as we would like, but that message exists nonetheless. Either that, or you can just forget about Christianity altogether which is what a lot of people claim is what the Anglican Church has done. But he's promised us another essay and maybe his approach will become clearer and less broad when we see how he actually uses it.

12-13-2010, 03:45 PM	#10
Russellonius Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 60	I would be opposed to places of worship offering male prostitution services even if they were considered sacred. The priests ran this type of operation in the holy places of Judah for over 90% of the period of Kings. The kings were sporadically opposed to this 6+ centuries-long priestly practice. Rehoboam did not try to stop it. Asa put an end to it. But then Jehoshaphat and Josiah also put ends to it during their reigns. Shortly after Josiah, the first Temple was destroyed, the elites were exiled, and this abominable practice of priests prostituting boys does not seem to have been started up again during the Persian period. 1Ki 14:24 Rehoboam, 1Ki 15:12 Asa, 1Ki 22:46 Jehoshaphat, 2Ki 23:7 Josiah Scripture is not always an accurate determiner of moral behavior. It’s hard to understand why anybody would even think that! Priests should not prostitute boys PERIOD even if they offer an explanation for why the practice is sacred. Just because something is in the Bible doesn’t make it right. Damn fundamentalists!

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