Of LGBT: The Short Writing

Love embraces the wholeness. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people who have been discriminated along human history by putting sinful label upon them are part of thus wholeness. Biblical interpretation that discredit them need to be clarified.

LGBT is classic phenomena. In the biblical theme, Sodom and Gomorrah story is one of the evidence that LGBT could be found since the early time. In the Hellenist and Roman society it became a social common, many philosophers and leader of the armies have their accompaniment from the same sex, not just for conversation but also for sleeping. In the middle ages, when Christian became western countries’ religion, LGBT was prohibited by fundamental interpretation of the Bible. Many LGBT people had to suffer heavy pressure by society, even death. It was continuing until 1960s. But now, after the Declaration of Human Right and postmodern era, supported by many psychological and theological studies, LGBT considered again to find its right stand.

The first biblical passage that is commonly being related to LGBT is Adam and Eve story in Genesis 2. That passage is traditionally interpreted as basic stand for man-woman relationship since Adam is accompanied by Eve to take care of Garden of Eden as his fit helper. Traditional interpretation emphasize of their duty to keep sustainability of God’s creations.  But by different approach, interpretation to this passage also can be done like this: Adam couldn’t find his helper from any animals around the garden. God also saw that there is no creature in that garden fit for Adam, that’s why God created Eve, Isha from Ish, woman from man. But the main reason for God creating Eve was to find Adam’s helper to take care the garden. It means that this passage actually don’t talk about sexuality, but partnership. So it can be said “Not every man need a woman, but every man need a helping partner”. So it can be Eve or Steve.

What about their duty to sustain life by reproduction? The higher point above the reproduction is life. If oppression towards LGBT people makes them do not feel life, so the real purpose is be sided. The main theme of Genesis 2 is life, not reproduction, because reproduction just mentioned after the expulsion from the Garden of Eden as a result of their unfaithfulness towards God’s law.

Beside that passage, prohibited to LGBT also found in Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Roman 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Judas 1:7-8. But all that passage context tend to emphasize more to their act instead of person, ad hominem. They also highlighted the attitude of the people outside the Jewish. So it’s never about the LGBT people, but LGBT act that is done while the subject actually had wife or not genuinely LGBT. That why God and the writers of that passage condemned the unsacred act.

Love is always sacred. As God’s love, love is never wrong. So face the LGBT people, love the person, not the unsacred acts. Those unsacred act were just like pre-marital sex, changing sex-partner habit, and relationship without commitment and responsibility. So what if their act is done by their love? There is passage in the bible that actually talks about this. So as the source of theology are scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, it needs a longer interdisciplinary discourse. (We in GKJW had, has, and will continue the discussion about this by DPPW, you may to come).

But the main thing is, God love every human being, whether they’re good or bad, and He rises the sun for everyone as the sign of His love. So as God’s followers that put love as a Great Commandment, every Christian’s calling is to love, whether for LGBT people or not. About right or wrong, let God does His part.