One of my favorite quotes by Civil War journalist Ambrose Bierce is "Religion is the daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the Unknowable."
As a former bible-believing pastor, I’ve seen religion used to give hope for the imponderables of life and death. But, religion is also used by self-appointed biblical literalists as a tool to manipulate and impose their values and their rules of right and wrong, good and evil on one and all with virulent intolerance for competing views. Their apocalyptic declarations are enveloped in biblical threats of destruction, hell and damnation. Rev. Jerry Falwell is just one of a multitude bible-believing preachers in this cause. No subject attracts more distorted, bellicose commentary from these biblical literalists than homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
Biblical literalists state that their condemnation of homosexuality is based on an infallible, inerrant Bible. They claim, "the Bible is true because the Bible says so". "The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it" is the motto of the typical Christian fundamentalist. This is the ultimate example of the "Bare Assertion" logical fallacy . This fallacy says ‘it’s true because I said so’ or in the case of the Bible ‘it’s true because the Bible said so’. When we were children and Dad said "eat your broccoli, it’s good for you", we’d ask, "how do you know?" He might answer, "Because I said so." If the car salesman told us "this car is the world’s best car", we might ask, "How do you know?" He might answer, "the manufacturer’s brochure says so". These are all "Bare Assertion" logical fallacies. This fallacy is most effective with the uninformed, easily intimidated, especially when delivered by an authority figure who threatens God’s punishment for indifference. Today, many are recognizing the biblical literalist’s "Bare Assertions" fallacy and threats as hollow. For those few who study the Bible objectively, many inspiring thoughts are found, but regrettably it lacks both veracity and reality for its practitioners.
Jerry Falwell tells us homosexuality is immoral because the Bible says so (I Cor. 6:9). He claims homosexuality is nothing more nor less then a "choice", an act of "free will" like stealing or murder. As in many other issues, scientific inquiry again contradicts the Bible. Scientific research indicates a genetic component to homosexuality. A genetic component in homosexuality makes it an instinctive inclination. A genetic inclination is far different from a simple "choice". But, a genetic influence is unacceptable for biblical literalists because genetics are not mentioned in the Bible.
Evidence-based reasoning of science and academia contradicts the "bare assertions" of the Bible on many fronts. Cosmology contradicts the biblical assertion that the earth is older than the sun, moon, and stars (Gen. 1:10-18). Astronomy contradicts the bible’s claim that the earth is immovable (Ps. 93:1), that the sun revolves around the earth (Jos. 10:12). Paleontology and evolutionary biology contradict the creation story (Gen. 1 & 2). Geology and paleontology contradict the Bible’s 6,000 year genealogical record (Lk. 3:23-38). Archaeology gives clear evidence of sites in Turkey, Egypt, and Persia existing before, during, and after the worldwide destruction of Noah’s Flood (Gen. 7:4). Ornithology contradicts the Bible’s claim that bats are birds (Lev. 11:13-19). Herpetology finds no evidence of talking snakes (Gen. 3: 1-5). Veterinary science finds no evidence for talking donkeys (Num. 22:28-30). Mathematical contradictions abound in the bible (Ezra 1:9-11). Geographers find errors of incorrect locations(Gal. 4:25) and distances (Acts 1:12). Physics and the Law of Gravity contradict the possibility of the ascension of human bodies from the earth (II Kg. 2:11, Acts 1:9, I Thess. 4:17).
Historians too are troubled with the Bible’s Jesus story because surviving non-Christian 1st Century manuscripts give no reliable confirmation of Jesus’ historicity. Of the 35 to 40 surviving writings of 1st Century Jewish, Greek, Egyptian, and Roman theologians, historians, philosophers and poets, except for a fraudulent three sentence entry in the Jewish historian Josephus’ Antiquities of The Jews, 93 AD, not one single mention is found of a Jewish Messiah named Jesus of Nazareth (Mt. 4:24; Jn 21:25). In spite of these facts and multitudinous contradictions by science and academia, not to mention the multiplicity of contradictions argued amongst fundamentalist theologians, Christian fundamentalists still insist the Bible is inerrant. Considering these rudimentary facts, are we in the 21st century to allow an ancient and archaic tome and its disciples to dictate right "vs" wrong on the condemnation of homosexuality and same-sex marriage or any other issue?
Jerry Falwell will say surveys demonstrate that the majority of Americans consider homosexuality immoral. But, why is this the majority view? Give any group, especially bible-indoctrinated literalistic preachers the unchallenged opportunity to repeat the same declaration over and over and over like a mantra and a majority will always agree.
Jerry Falwell knows Jesus said, "neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Mt 7:18). If same-sex marriage is so immoral, how could these alleged immoral same-sex relationships spawn committed monogamous couples who live model lives, serve honorably in the military, hold respectable jobs/professions, care for children, pay taxes, maintain homes, and give of themselves for community service? The real question ought to be: Is it moral for society to classify these homosexual couples as ineligible for the same legal rights and privileges as heterosexual couples just to satisfy the irrational demands of biblical literalists? If we are to condemn same-sex marriage it must be on rational evidence-based thinking, not the bare assertions of the Bible.
The biblical literalist’s fear-motivated message is that the institution of marriage must be defended. If their marriages need defending, I’m sure marriage counseling can be arranged for them. In contrast, my marriage of 39 years to my wife is not in any way endangered if a gay or lesbian couple live next door. We would relate to that couple the same as we would relate to a heterosexual couple. Marriages comprised of people genuinely capable of expressing love are not threatened by dissimilar people. Our society should do all it can to encourage, not discourage all committed, monogamous couples.
The Jerry Falwells make the unfounded the claim that if gay marriage is legally sanctioned, it will promote a gay lifestyle, seducing our children to "choose" homosexuality. Considering the societal guilt and ostracism perpetrated on homosexuals by many centuries of religious dogma, only a strong self-destructive inclination would entice one to homosexuality if it were simply a matter of "choice". Genetic inclination overrules "choice" in determining who will demonstrate homosexual tendencies. Condemning homosexuality makes as much moral sense as condemning people for being left-handed.
The Jerry Falwells declare that God’s moral standards should be our moral standards. Are you sure about that Rev. Falwell? Unless the Bible’s God is to be judged by another set of standards than humans, then the Bible’s God will have great difficultly qualifying as moral. The bible records over 45 instances where God either personally murders or orders murder. On one occasion, God ordered the stoning of an Israelite for picking up sticks on the Sabbath (Num. 15:35). Even humans demand that a judge’s punishment reflect the seriousness of the crime, not judge’s vindictive temper. And wouldn’t anyone responsible for murder just five times, let alone 45, deserve the designation of a "serial" murderer? God’s immoral acts don’t stop with murder. God condones lying by sending deceiving spirits (I Kg. 22:23) and strong delusion (II Thess. 2:11). This, in spite of God saying He hates a "lying tongue"(Pr. 6:17). The saying "like father, like son" ironically holds true when even Jesus lied (Jn. 18:20). Falwell’s moral God even instigates gang rape on David’s wives (II Sam. 12:11). Imagine yourself as one of David’s wives. Where is the moral justice in this heinous act? The patriarchal mind-set which authored the Bible reveals a God of double standards whose morality is based on convenience, not principle.
Biblical literalists demonstrate an irresistible urge to brand those who don’t believe as they do on homosexuality as atheists, hedonistic libertines. To call those who disagree negatively charged names, a practice specifically condemned by the bible, exposes the bible-believer’s double standards. Name-calling is often more convenient then moral restraint. The fact that a Christian organization, Barna Christian Research, reports that biblical literalist types, i.e. Christian fundamentalists have significantly higher divorce rates than atheists speaks volumes about moral realities (Mt. 7:3-4).
The monthly Freethought Today has a section called "Black Collar Crime Blotter." Every month numerous American clergymen, many from Christian fundamentalist churches are indicted or convicted of crimes such as sexual abuse, tax evasion, murder, fraud, etc., etc... If these clergy indulge in such crime, what does that suggest about the morals of their congregations? Belief in the bible’s God is no assurance of moral behavior. Yes, Ambrose Bierce, you were right, Religion has proven to be a failure at "Explaining to Ignorance the Unknowable" especially for the Explainers. Many biblical literalists have individually done good deeds, but as a group they have contaminated humanity’s precious diversity, creating inordinate divisiveness and acrimony in society.
As a heterosexual, I find homosexuality incomprehensible. I’ve always found the opposite gender most attractive, especially my wife. Some psychological testing suggests homophobic tendency’s stem from latent homosexuality, which could well be the case for some guilt-ridden Christian fundamentalists. In any case, biblical literalists have no rational evidenced-based reason for maligning, let alone judging anyone. History records that homosexuals have always been a minority of the population. Homosexuality is not going to disappear. To paraphrase comedian George Carlin, Christian fundamentalists really ought to love homosexual marriages because they never have abortions.
My opinion: Both homosexuals and heterosexuals ought to enjoy their sexuality, preferably in committed, monogamous relationship and focus on contributing to our communities for a healthy, respectful, harmonious society.
Axis of Logic is pleased to introduce Lee Salisbury who has recently become a Contributing Writer to Axis of Logic. Now retired, the past decade has been a time of building on lessons learned in life. Lee has been involved in Amicus, a MN based organization which works with inmates at local penitentiaries, founded The Critical Thinking Club of MN. www.criticalthinkingclub.org, enjoys the bourgeois sport of golf, travels, and does freelance writing and public speaking. He is married to Anne who subsequent to their leaving the ministry, earned a Ph.D. in Archaeology at the U. of MN. They have two married sons. He can be reached at leesal@comcast.net.
Also, read Lee's August 18 article in Axis of Logic: Hoffer's Anatomy Of Zealotry - Present Day