On homosexuality biblical texts must be read in their context

Open letter* of the Adventist Organization LGBTQ+ KINSHIP DA-CH ** sent to the managers of the Adventist Church of the seventh day of German language on October 4, 2024,third part. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

To date, the texts of the Old Testament and some epistles of Paul are often mentioned to condemn people who live homosexual relationships. However, this approach is problematic, because it does not always take into account the differences between the world in which those texts were written and contemporary reality, especially in the field of sexuality and gender identity.

For example, in the first chapter of the letter to the Romans (Romans 1: 18-32), Paolo uses sexual degeneration as a visible example of the corruption of pagan peoples. His reasoning follows a common model in Judaism of the time: according to this logic, the removal from God would have led to moral degradation, culminating in unnatural sexual acts.

However, many believers queer have wondered for years: "When would we despise God and refused to know him?" "When would we abandon the faith to give us to disordered passions?" The answer is clear: never! Since childhood, these people have loved God sincerely and have gradually discovered their sexual identity as part of their nature. They have not chosen anything, nor have they abandoned anything.

Today, some supporters of the Side B position recognize that the homosexual orientation itself is not sinful, but they consider any act of love between two people of the same sex sinful. However, reading Romans's text carefully, it is clear that Paolo connects the sexual acts between men to moral degeneration and idolatry. The idea that queer people can be Christian faithful, with an authentic and rich spiritual life, was simply not contemplated in the cultural context of the time.

For a long time, the consequences that the indiscriminate application of these texts has had on queer people. The condemnation language present in some biblical steps was transferred directly and without nuances on the lives of LGBTQ+people, generating hatred, discrimination and suffering.

Let's take the example of the city of Sodoma. For centuries, it has been said that God would destroy her because of the homosexuality of her inhabitants. Today, even many conservative theologians recognize that Sodom's true sin was injustice and sexual violence, not consensual homosexual relationships. However, the term "sodomy" continued to be used to condemn all forms of love between people of the same sex, feeding centuries of persecutions and discrimination.

Each interpretation of the Bible that continues to transfer directly to this convictions so rigid becomes, voluntarily or not, support for discrimination. If the Church does not distanced itself from this reading, it will not have credible tools to defend the rights of queer people and will continue to remain silent when they are marginalized.

Some Queer believers are seen as the living symbol of human breakdown because of sin. For years, they have tried to repress their desire for affection and company, even going so far as to hate themselves. In this sense, the traditional interpretation of the Bible has responsibilities, because it has contributed to the suffering and solitude of many people in our communities.

Creation and need for company

In the story of creation, God declares: “It is not good that man is alone. I will help him who is similar to him "(Genesis 2:18). This step is often used to affirm that the only valid relationship model is that between men and women. But the question is: when the text speaks of the love between Adam and Eva, also includes the queer minority? If we cannot be sure, how can we derive a universal law that deny them the possibility of a relationship?

Is it right to impose a compulsory solitude, just that condition that God himself declared "not good"?

The condemnation of love between people of the same sex is not based on clear ethical reasons. Who is damaged when two people of the same sex love each other? How do they threaten the marriage between man and woman? What bad do they do to society if they live a monogamous relationship, stable and based on mutual responsibility?

On the other hand, what damage are caused when love queer is declared sinful and who lives it is forced to celibacy?

The Church should seriously reflect on these questions, instead of limiting itself to repeating traditional interpretations without considering their practical consequences.

*On October 4, 2024, the Adventist Organization LGBTQ+ KINSHIP DA-CH present in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, adhering toSevenh-Day Adventist Kinship International, sent an open letter to the managers of the Adventist Church in German -speaking countries. The goal is to promote a dialogue for a greater understanding of the difficult situation experienced by the agi -agitists and encourage more constructive relationships. The 11 -page letter was written in German and English.

** Sevenh-Day Adventist Kinship InternationalIt is an organization founded in 1976 in Palm Desert, California (USA), with the aim of supporting the adventists LGBTQIA+ (lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and intersex) and their supporters, offering a safe environment for spiritual growth and dialogue.

SDA Kinship Europe is the European section of Sevenh-Day Adventist Kinship International, which is present all over the world with about 5,500 members in 112 countries (December 2024) .. It is not officially affiliated with the Adventist Church of the seventh day but works to promote the inclusion and dialogue within the Adventist Community, providing support to those who try to reconcile their faith with their own identity.

Original text:Open letter from SDA Kinship Dach to the Leaders of the Inter-European Division of Sevenh-Day Adventisms(PDF files)