| rdfs:comment | - The Bible refers to sexual practices that may be called "homosexual" in today's world, but the original language texts of the Bible do not refer explicitly to homosexuality as a sexual orientation. The Bible is interpreted by officials in some denominations as condemning the practice. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, however, the extent to which the Bible mentions the subject and whether or not it is condemned, has become the subject of debate.
- The Bible and homosexuality is a subject that influences how homosexuality and homosexual sex are regarded in societies where Judeo-Christian tradition has made a strong impact.citation needed The Bible is considered by believers to be inspired by God and to record God's relationship with humanity and in particular, with the nation of Israel.citation needed Conservative Christianity sees the original texts of the Bible as inerrant, or at least infallible, and being the literal word of God, although many critics point out that translations exist which somewhat differ due to manuscript sources, and interpretations. Likewise, Orthodox Judaism sees the Torah as the literal word of God and infallible to error.
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| abstract | - The Bible and homosexuality is a subject that influences how homosexuality and homosexual sex are regarded in societies where Judeo-Christian tradition has made a strong impact.citation needed The Bible is considered by believers to be inspired by God and to record God's relationship with humanity and in particular, with the nation of Israel.citation needed Conservative Christianity sees the original texts of the Bible as inerrant, or at least infallible, and being the literal word of God, although many critics point out that translations exist which somewhat differ due to manuscript sources, and interpretations. Likewise, Orthodox Judaism sees the Torah as the literal word of God and infallible to error. The understanding of some Biblical interpreters is summarised by David Hilborn (2002, p. 1) who argues: "It must be granted that direct references to homosexual activity in the Bible are relatively few. However, these more explicit texts belong to a much broader Biblical discourse on creation, love, holiness and human relationships - a discourse which goes to the heart of God’s purpose for humankind".citation needed Additionally, within Christian groups such as Roman Catholicism these passages have traditionally been interpreted in light of other accepted revealed sources, such as the revelations to the mystic-saints, which often do contain more explicit and detailed descriptions clarifying the matter (e.g., St. Hildegard von Bingen's visions in Scivias). Protestant denominations generally do not make use of such sources.citation needed Traditionally, Jewish and Christian scholars have interpreted these biblical passages as forbidding all forms of homosexual activity. However, some recent writers have argued that these passages refer to other forms of sexual behavior between members of the same sex (sexual activity within a committed relationship, pagan rites, casual sex, pederasty, and same-sex rape, for example), and not to all types of homosexuality as a general category like heterosexuality.citation needed
- The Bible refers to sexual practices that may be called "homosexual" in today's world, but the original language texts of the Bible do not refer explicitly to homosexuality as a sexual orientation. The Bible is interpreted by officials in some denominations as condemning the practice. In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, however, the extent to which the Bible mentions the subject and whether or not it is condemned, has become the subject of debate. Passages in the Old Testament book Leviticus that prohibit "lying with mankind as with womankind" and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah have historically been interpreted as condemning homosexuality, as have several Pauline passages. Other interpreters, however, maintain that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality, saying that historical context suggests other interpretations or that rare or unusual words in the passages may not be referring to homosexuality.
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