The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin

--------------------------------------- Contention 1: Sodom and Gomorrah ---------------------------------------- Congratulations to my opponent for his strong rebuttal . . . To strengthen my claim, I shall move into the New Testament . . .. Jude 1:7 :Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. I would like to point out "strange flesh" . . . ."strange" when translated into the original Greek means "other" . . . Jude clearly states fornication AND going after "strange" flesh. Again, homosexuality WAS a sin that was punished by God in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (note: there are other versions of the Bible that translate "strange flesh" as homosexuality) ------------------------------------------------- Contention 2: New Testament also labels it as a sin --------------------------------------------------- My opponent argues that Paul is not a reliable source in the Bible for determining sin, then I would ask why is he in the Bible? If he does not speak (or write) the words of God then nothing he says should be considered worthy of living by. Regardless of his "personal" views of marriage, he was an apostle of God to the gentiles, just as Peter was one for the Jews (see Galatians . . .. the entire book argues this truth). As an apostle he was responsible for bringing God's word to those who did not know it (great commission). I do agree with you that my syllogism was weak, however; claiming that just because Paul said things that seem go against what we currently believe is not a basis for claiming that he is unable to see what God views as sin. Also, claiming that Corinthians 6:9 is merely Paul's own beliefs about the matter is completely baseless, and an assumption based off of unrelated scriptures. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I could not agree with you more that the Law has passed away and was fulfilled by Christ, however God is an unchanging God, and what is wrong in the old testament is wrong today. I would argue that the laws of the Old Testament were not ALL to tell what was a sin. ------- for example: --------- I agree with you that eating pig is not a sin. Also that wearing multicolored fabrics is not a sin. However the Ten Commandments ARE still sins if they are broken. [1 Timothy 1:8 : We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.] ----------- Another verse. . . . ------------ (I know this is Old Testament but I felt like it fit relatively well here. . . . .) Leviticus 18: " 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." cut and dry, we have and unchanging God, and he VERY clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. This IS Old Testament, however, as stated above while Jesus did fulfill the Law, the sins of the Old Testament are still wrong today. -----------Some final verses . .. . .--------- Romans 1:24 : For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 1 Timothy 1: 9-10 realizing the fact that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and the profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching. Both of these show that homosexuality IS viewed as a sin. . . . and a grevious one at that. It is put right next to murder and lying. Also not that Corinthians was written by Paul and Peter wrote Romans, both of these men were awesome leaders of the early Christian church and were divinely inspired by God to write these books. Therefore everything they wrote is true. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As a final note . . . my opponent has failed to show any example where the Bible approves of homosexuality (mainly because there are none) . . . .My argument clearly states that the BIBLE states that homosexuality is a sin, which I have shown using multiple verses spanning multiple translations. Sodom and Gomorrah were excellent examples of God's wrath being poured out due to homosexuality. Also there are multiple times in the New Testament where homosexuality is stated as a sin. My opponent attempted to make it seem like Paul was merely stating his own opinion, however Paul was also of the same opinion as was Jude. If multiple places in the Bible support my claim and there are NONE that contradict it, it is likely true. . . .. Thanks for an awesome debate, I learned a lot about this particular topic