Bible verses that even fundamentalists don't take literally . . .

Here are some verses which come directly from the Bible that fundamentalists refuse to apply literally for today, proving that they selectively pick and choose verses out of context which justify their pre-existing bigotry against gay and lesbian people. Take a look for yourself...

"Women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says." (1 Corinthians 14:34)

This verse says that women can't speak in church. Period. This verse is completely ignored today. Applying this verse to the modern day church would be ancient, absurd and nonsensical.

When it comes to the verses about homosexuality, however, fundamentalists suddenly insist that they must be interpreted literally, word for word!

When it comes to this verse, however, they offer various excuses as to why it should not. They often say that it was only meant for that time, an explanation that is conveniently ignored when it comes to the verses which discuss homosexuality.

"Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her as a covering." (1 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Upon visiting any fundamentalist church, you will discover that more than a few women have short haircuts. This verse, however, indicates that women should have long hair, as their "head must be covered."

It has a familiar ring to it, doesn't it? Arab fundamentalists require women to put a veil over their heads and punish them if they do not.

"If any man takes a wife, and goes in on her, and detests her, and charges her with shameful conduct, and brings a bad name on her, and says, 'I took this woman, and when I came to her I found she was not a virgin..." (Deuteronomy 22:13,14)

"But if ... evidences of virginity are not found for the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones..." (Deuteronomy 22:20,21)

If a man discovers that a woman is not a virgin on her wedding night, all the men in town can murder her by flinging stones at her young female body as she screams in pain.

Is this the word of God? Hardly.

It's simply antiquated, ancient barbarism. Or perhaps we should ask our "Bible believing" fundamentalist friends if they believe that women who aren't virgins on their wedding night should be murdered by stoning.

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched." (Mark 9:43)

While fundamentalists insist (due to their pre-existing bigotry) that all seemingly anti-gay scriptures be taken literally and without exception, they grow strangely quiet when asked if the above verse should be taken as written.

"One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the congregation of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 23:2)

If you were born to an unwed mother, the Bible says that you shouldn't be allowed in church. Do "Bible-believing" fundamentalists follow this rule? Nope. They acknowledge that this verse was meant for a different time. But when it comes to those scripture verses which seem to speak against homosexuality, they suddenly demand that every word be followed to the letter!

"Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ."

(Ephesians 6:5)

"Slaves, obey your human masters in everything; don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord." (Colassians 3:22)

"Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back ." (Titus 2:9)

 

"Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. " (1 Peter 2:18)

Slaves should obey their masters? Hardly. Slavery was one of the most offensive institutions to ever befall humanity. Sadly, the scriptures condoned it, and, as you can see from the above verses, demanded that slaves obey their masters...even cruel ones!

Conclusion

When it comes to the scriptural verses which seem to be against homosexuality, fundamentalists boldly declare their belief in the "infallible Word of God", demanding that every single word be taken literally, without exception.

But when it comes to the awkward verses listed above, they become much less sure of themselves. So much less sure, in fact, that they don't follow what their own Bible says. Funny, isn't it?

The Bible deserves respect . . .

We do not say these things to disparage the Bible. Far from it, we deeply respect and revere the Bible. Unlike fundamentalists, however, we believe that the way to respect the Bible is to study it carefully and with a sobriety of mind that should be common amongst people who want to understand God's will for our lives.

Fundamentalists greatly disrespect the Bible by abusing it to justify their own pre-existing anti-gay prejudice. The time has come for the church to put a stop to it. The Bible was never intended to be used as a weapon of intolerance.

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