What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?

Is the Bible's View Cruel? 

What about the people who have homosexual inclinations? Were they born that way?  if so, would it not be cruel to say that is wrong for them to act on their desires?

The Bible does not comment on the biology of homosexuality, although it acknowledges that some human traits are deeply ingrained. Still, the Bible says that certain conduct-including homosexual acts-must be shunned if we are to please God. - 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5. 

Some would say that the Bible's position is cruel. But their claim is based on the premise that we must act on our impulses or that sexual impulses in particular are so important that they should not-even cannot-be controlled. However, the Bible dignifies humans by stating that they can resist their urges. Unlike animals, they can choose not act on their impulses. -Colossians 3:5. 

Consider a comparison: Some experts say that certain behavioral traits, such as aggression, may have a biological cause.  The Bible does not specifically comment on the biology of aggression, but it does acknowledge that some people are "prone to anger" and "disposed to rage."  (Proverbs 22:24; 29:22) Yet, the Bible also says:  "Let go of anger and abandon rage." -Psalm 37:8; Ephesians 4:31. 

Few people would disagree with that advice or say that it is cruel to those who have aggressive tendencies.  In fact, even those experts who believe that anger is rooted in a person's genetic makeup work hard to help people to control such tendencies.  

Jehovah's Witnesses take a similar position toward any conduct that conflicts with Bible standards, including sexual acts between two people of the opposite sex who are not married to each other. In all such cases, the Bible counsel applies: "Each one of yous should know how to control his body in holiness and honor, not withe greedy uncontrolled sexual passion." -1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5. 

Next time: What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?/ "That Is What Some of You Were"

From the Awake! magazine