Transcript for the Piece Audio version of What the Bible says about Gays. And Women. And Pantsuits. And Haircuts.

Maybe we should stone Pat Robertson to death because of his haircut. Dr. Laura pantsuits are an abomination. We should burn her at the stake. Hilary Clinton definitely shouldn?t be in politics. A woman?s place in the household, not the Senate. At least any God-fearing bible believer would think so.
But most don?t. All of these arguments are supported by the Bible, but nobody is rushing to judgment over Dr. Laura?s fashion choices ? let along killing her for them. So then why do we still use the Bible to argue against homosexuality? Religious conservatives across the nation, disgusted by the thought of two men in bed with each other, condemn gays and lesbians by less-than-logical means.
Take a look at one of the most popular anti-gay quotes from the Old Testament:
?If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them.? Leviticus 20:13
This passage clearly reflects condemnation of homosexuals among the ancient Hebrews. But in reality, Leviticus was written for the protection of the Hebrews. Chapters 17-26 deal with the ?Holiness Code? which was written to keep Moses' people clean and free of disease ? homosexuality being seen as an act that spreads illnesses. We now know that both heterosexuals and homosexuals can both just as easily catch venereal diseases, and with the advent of modern medicine, there is no real reason for us to obey this ?Holiness Code?.
This verse from the ?Holiness Code? clearly illustrate why we don?t need it:
?You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. ? Leviticus 19:27
Pat Robertson, an anti-gay crusader, often quotes Leviticus in his reasoning against gay people. Judging by his well-groomed style he must very often trim both his hair and his beard. So he is indeed an abomination in the eyes of God. Perhaps we should stone him to death as suggested in Leviticus 24:10-16.
The rules in Leviticus get even weirder than not shaving your head. Consider this passage:
?Don't...wear clothes made of different kinds of material.? Leviticus 19:19b
Modern moralist Dr. Laura undoubtedly has worn at least one cotton-polyester blended pantsuit. She constantly says ?because the Bible says so? when she refutes homosexuality. It seems very hypocritical that Dr. Laura can wear her sinful clothes without rebuke, but she calls Ellen Degeneres a disgrace to God.
If Leviticus is indeed the word of God, why are some passages more ?Godly? than others? It is hypocritical and illogical to believe that only certain rules from the Old Testament apply to us. Laws are supposed to be the final word, picking and choosing which ones to follow isn?t allowed. If we don?t want to follow some, we might as well not follow any of them.
Some claim that Jesus preached against homosexuality, but that is completely false. There is no point in the New Testament where Jesus himself speaks out against gays or lesbians. And using his silence to imply condemnation would be putting words in Jesus? mouth.
The only condemnation of homosexuality in the New Testament comes from the Apostle Paul in two of his letters:
?And in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.? Romans 1:27
?Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 1thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers-none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.? 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Although he is a disciple of Jesus Paul not the direct word of God. His letters are fraught with examples of intolerance and now-outdated ideas. Paul does not take into account loving, monogamous homosexual relationships commonly seen in today's society. Instead, he attacks the institution of pederasty ? where older men systematically rape younger boys ? which is not tantamount to modern homosexuality at all.
Can we seriously believe that Paul's words are explicitly applicable to our world? Look what he has to say about women:
?A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.? 1 Timothy 2:11-12
If this is the case, then we are in for some major sinfulness if Hilary Clinton becomes president. Paul?s words are simply outdated by now. It is doubtful that there are many congregations left in the country that believe that women should be nothing more than hausfraus.
We have progressed as a society, and religion has followed suit. The next step is for churches to accept homosexuals for who they are, and to realize that the Bible should be taken with a grain of salt. Take a look at the teachings of Jesus, the pinnacle of Christian religious ideals. He told his people to love one another, and to not hurt anyone. Maybe instead of using certain passages to cast-off homosexuals, churches should take a deeper look into the Bible and open up their doors to gays, lesbians, and straights alike.