I agree with Sara Ziegler’s article “Freedom of choice and the consequences” of Feb. 9, 1998. The ELCA had every reason to expel Rev. Steve Sabin because he is a “practicing homosexual.” But, does that make it right?

Throughout history, the Bible has been interpreted to appease the social majority. Slavery, the suppression of women, the Holocaust, and apartheid have all been justified by the Bible. And now, it is being used as a tool to “fight” homosexuality.

One would think that near the end of the 20th century, translation of the Bible would be complete. Not so. Today’s translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 reads “Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals [oute arsenkoitai] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Biblical scholars are still debating the pesky “arsenkoitai,” which has been given numerous definitions since 1900. It has been translated as “masturbators,” “homosexuals,” “sexual perverts,” “sodomites,” “homosexual offenders,” and finally “practicing homosexuals”. The fact of the matter remains: interpretation of a document which is nearly 2000 years old and written in a language which is no longer practiced is difficult to translate into modern terms. Especially when a term is socially and emotionally charged.

Although I am not inclined to take Biblical translations literally, I must use the tool they use against me as a tool of self-defense. For those that base their argument against homosexuality on biblical terms, I offer this:

“This was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she and her daughters had pride, surfeit of food and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:48-49) Thus, the sin of Sodom is interpreted as greed and inhospitality, not homosexuality.

According to the Catholic Church, homosexuality is preordained, determined by God Him or Herself. As long as the ELCA and other churches are willing to judge a person for something which is not chosen, I’ll worship God on my own terms. I’ll wait for the next “social revision” of the Bible.

Let us not forget what Jesus Christ himself said about homosexuality.

Absolutely NOTHING.

Shawn Schueller

Junior

Forestry