I went back and read the Sodom and Gomorrah story after you had brought it up(way back when). I guess I just interpreted the story a bit differently than you did(to each his/her own). No ill-intentions at all, just thought I'd read up on the story to better understand where you were coming from. I found our discussion intriguing and it reminded me of some of my discussion focusing college courses. Thought you, out of anyone, might be a bit interested in my opinion. Or not, in which case, sorry to eat up this much of your time.

So, as I see it...two angels were sent to Sodom by God, where Lot, Abraham's nephew, persuades the divine travelers to stay in his home (which back then I assume was the right thing to do because travel would be very difficult without this "hospitality code" that pops up throughout the bible.). After the Angels ate and were preparing for bed, all of the people of Sodom converged on Lots home, demanding that the angels come out so that the towns people might "know"(rape) them. In an effort to protect his guests, Lot denies the angry mob access to the angels, but offers his two virgin daughters instead. The townspeople refuse, and charge at Lot in an attempt to reach the angels. At this point the angels pull Lot back inside the house, and render the angry crowd blind so they can't find the door. The angels then warn Lot to gather his family and leave the city because it will soon be destroyed.

The great sin of Sodom for which it was punished, in my opinion, is the abuse of the strangers. It has nothing to do with how they were abused. That is irrelevant to the story. Anything could have happened. It is the fact that they were abused at all that is the point of the story. It's clear that the townspeople wanted to perform an act of violence by raping the angels. Not to gain pleasure. And certainly not because they all were gay - It's also my understanding that no culture has had more than a minority of it's population be homosexual.

I also don't believe that it's a question of sexual ethics, because it's absurd to say that it’s okay to send your virgin daughters out to be gang-raped, but it’s not okay to have strangers gang-raped. And that would be an absurd reading of it, but that would be a literalist reading of it, or taking it at face value without any thought. Which you have done on many issues.

But everything above is my "interpretation"...knowing that you obviously take what was written by humans living in a sexist culture over 2000 years ago as literal truth...and what I say is some ranting left-wing nut trying to destroy the sanctity of marriage in the U.S.(note sarcasm)... I found a passage in the bible which specifically gives the reasons for Sodom's destruction. Ezekiel 16:48-50. Nothing about homosexuality is mentioned. I suggest you read it before identifying it in your arguments.

Please know that I simply enjoy an informed debate from time-to-time. Nothing serious. I think very highly of you and I'd like to thank you for sparking my interest. This is fun to me (the learning). You can call me a dork next time you see me.

Please, stop being a bigot at my house. You may be a bigot elsewhere if it so pleases you...like at your church...which doesn't allow women to lead a congregation.

nice.

later.
Terry