Carol Towarnicky: What the word sodomy really means

[From here:]

The word "sodomy" comes from the idea that homosexual sex was the sin for which God destroyed the inhabitants of these two ancient cities.

The story is told in Genesis (19). The men of Sodom surrounded Lot's house and demanded that he let them rape two heavenly messengers whom he had invited into his home. Lot refused, instead offering the men sex with his unmarried daughters.

The "traditional" interpretation of the story turns out to be a relatively modern one not shared by the ancient Hebrews. The "iniquity" of Sodom was long understood to represent the failure to offer hospitality to visitors, a matter of life and death in desert societies. In the words of the prophet Ezekiel (16:49), Sodom's sins were "pride, fullness of bread, an abundance of idleness" and a failure to help the poor and needy.

But the context of the Sodom story supports another interpretation: In the verses immediately before it, God has already decided to destroy the city, but Abraham exacts a promise that it will be spared if 10 men are found to be innocent. If the sin of Sodom was homosexuality, and all the men were guilty of it, why would Lot think his daughters would satisfy them? And does saving Lot mean God approved of his willingness to let his daughters be raped?

Jewish legends about Sodom, called "midrash," make the same point, describing the crimes of the Sodomites as over-the-top greed and cruelty to visitors.

If the very source of the word sodomy is based on a misreading of the Bible, how much else have the traditionalists misunderstood? [Ed: I've taken to calling them "scripturalists," because they certainly don't represent Anglican tradition]

[Emphasis added; read the rest. Hat tip: JB Chilton at The Lead.]

Comments

[James Collins]

"The story is told in Genesis (19). The men of Sodom surrounded Lot's house and demanded that he let them rape two heavenly messengers whom he had invited into his home. Lot refused, instead offering the men sex with his unmarried daughters."

You have totally misunderstood the scriptures. Apparently for your own pleasure. It is abundantly clear that Homosexuality was THE prime reason that God allowed the Asteroid to destroy the 2 cities that harbored the homosexuals. The Scriptures included other grave sins those people had in their lives. In other words their condition was hopeless, they loved their lifestyle and God saw that they would never change.

Homosexuality is responsible for the death of millions of people, multi-millions in Africa alone.

Homosexual practice includes filthy minded 'sex' practices, which includes ACTUAL filthiness.

Homosexuality can be cured by Cognitive Therapy IF the person wants it to happen.

Homosexuality is a variant of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is curable also.

Most people that adopt homosexuality had some childhood trauma which caused them to 'invent' another persona, in this case homosexuality was their 'person' of choice.

[Eyrev]

I don't agree with you at all. Sodomy is a crime and has ruined countless lives (mine included - what a depraved, scat-stained journey I've traveled).

I assume you approve of pedophilia, bestiality and coprophilia as well?

Eyrev
eyrev.cbcr@gmail.com