If we asked many queers what the Bible had to say when it comes to gay bashing, most might point to the well known scriptures such as Leviticus that are condemning of homosexuality. but there is a New Testament scripture that gives a whole new perspective to it. Matthew 5:22.
I found this when I was looking up the wikipedia definition of “gay bash.” Â The entry there talks about an idea presented in Byrne Fone’s book, Homophobia: A History:
The word Raca is often translated as “fool”, and sometimes refers to one who deserves to be spat upon, or was sometimes used to insult homosexuals. If this is the case, then Jesus is warning of hell fire for those who engage in verbal gay bashing as part of the Sermon on the Mount, and the warning is even harsher than Jesus’ pronouncement about murder in Matthew 5:21. The most common view is that Raca is a reference to the Aramaic word reka (see also Aramaic of Jesus), which literally means empty one, probably referring to empty headed, or foolish. The word translated as fool is Moros which has a similar meaning to the Aramaic reka, but it can also be used to mean godless, and so was a much stronger term. Some writers[who?] have argued that raca can mean effeminate and moros referring to a homosexual aggressor, and so Jesus could here be seen to be condemning homophobia. Halsall repeats this argument but concedes that it is less than conclusive.[1] Dr. Ralph Blair discounts this theory writing, “Biblical scholars say that the term probably means “empty headed†(Argyle, deDietrich, Filson, Gundry), “hollow head†(Luz), “blockhead†(Jeremias), “imbecile†(Hill) “brainless idiot†(Barclay), “idiot†(Guelich).” He goes on to write, “The editors of the New Revised Standard Version call it “an obscure term of abuse†and elect to render the text: “if you insult a brother or sisterâ€.”[2]
This is interesting for numerous reasons. We know that there is no scripture where Jesus addresses homosexuality at all. This lack of any condemnation by Jesus can’t really be understood as an affirmation of homosexuality, but it is telling none the less. That Biblical scholars have denied that this passage could have anything to do with homosexuality isn’t the least bit surprising. People tend to see in scripture what they want to see.
Gay bashing – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
If we asked many queers what the Bible had to say when it comes to gay bashing, most might point to the well known scriptures such as Leviticus that are condemning of homosexuality. but there is a New Testament scripture that gives a whole new perspective to it. Matthew 5:22.
I found this when I was looking up the wikipedia definition of “gay bash.” Â The entry there talks about an idea presented in Byrne Fone’s book, Homophobia: A History:
This is interesting for numerous reasons. We know that there is no scripture where Jesus addresses homosexuality at all. This lack of any condemnation by Jesus can’t really be understood as an affirmation of homosexuality, but it is telling none the less. That Biblical scholars have denied that this passage could have anything to do with homosexuality isn’t the least bit surprising. People tend to see in scripture what they want to see.
Gay bashing – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.