So by that logic, would you condone killing homosexuals before christ came? After all, humans are "weak" and need to be killed to make sure they don't do the wrong thing.
Okay so how about i also give you an example from the NT? Not directly related to homosexuality but:
Matthew 15:1-9 "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'"
Context plox?
yes, that is what God demanded in the Law, to kill a man/woman who slept with someone of the same sex
if you read this passage, not simply the part you quoted, you will find He is criticising the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, they criticised ppl for failing to keep the letter of the law, while they themselves transgressed both the letter and the spirit of the law
my point in regard to interpretation is not "explaining away" certain facts, but to take things in context (as above), but to also have a definitive answer to fall back on when meaning is ambiguous
eg of the latter (one I've posted before in this thread): Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality,[d]from things strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:19-20
Now, does "I judge" mean that this is simply an opinion of James, or is he (in his capacity of presiding over this council) making the final decision
interpretation: he is making the final decision
this is *roughly* what I mean about interpretation
i can understand your issue with "moderates" in certain religions, claiming to follow their religion, but not putting it fully into practice (or just saying they don't take it literally, to prevent a backlash from society)
