Some time ago, I was faced with a friend of mine who is deeply homophobic (strange because we go to an arts college.) The homophobia I was faced with was then made worse by her use of the Bible, particularly the use of Leviticus 18:22 to support her destructive and backward view. How do you respond to Christian homophobia?
Dear James,
Homophobia is not rational. The word itself means an irrational fear of homosexuality. So you will find this prejudice any place, yes, even at an arts college. To use the Bible to undergird and legitimize this prejudice has been standard operating policy for the church throughout history and it is still present today in conservative Catholic and evangelical Protestant circles. Pope Benedict XVI continues to use the word “deviant” to describe homosexuality, despite the fact that no reputable scientist or medical doctor in the world today supports that definition. Evangelicals quote Leviticus 18, Leviticus 20, Genesis 19 and Romans 1, despite the fact that biblical scholars dismiss this understanding of these texts as a profound misuse of scripture. So what is the fear in homophobic people?
There is no single reason but the following explanations have been demonstrated in the past to be operative and should be considered.
In your letter, I need to say, you come across as quite judgmental. I do not think there is anything called “Christian Homophobia.” I think there is homophobia in some who call themselves Christian. There is also judgment and the absence of love in some who call themselves Christian. I hope you will keep that in mind.
~John Shelby Spong
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