Llandygai
linaloki
Celeblin Galadeneryn
It's the rub really. The condemnation in Romans talks far less morality than it does defying nature.
Not to mention the severe similarity to several pagan sexual rituals.
Indeed. But then, I think you'll find plenty of different religions in ancient times with similar fertility rites. I mean, goddesses of fertility are almost mandatory, it seems in ancient times, along with grove shrines for holding orgies to their name, neh?
linaloki
Llandygai
[Blah blah blah]...
Homosexual tendencies have been branded as "unnatural" by society, and, in a real sense, by biology, so mores will call people out on it. That was all I was saying.
But the question becomes, is the Bible referencing "unnatural" from a societal standpoint, or from a standpoint of actual nature? I should think it's probably not societal, since Paul seemed to be describing a society.
*Shrugs*
I don't know the Biblical context well enough to really say. Celeblin has certainly been enlightening, though.
That said, human beings really aren't any different now than they were then. I think whichever version of "unnatural" Paul is speaking of, it could readily apply to our modern situation. Homosexual references aside, a great deal of Romans 1 seems to have striking poignancy for our times. Every one of Paul's condemned points is something we see going on these days.
I don't know about that. Paul's points might be applicable to something somewhere, but it is essential to bear in mind that he was using general terms to refer to specific practices and situations, many of which are not relevant today. It is even more important to note that the translations in current use attempt to use language that is not obscure and has relevance to present society.
It's all going to sound like it applies. Some of it still does. Hell, nearly all of it might apply. But some of that's going to be in tiny pockets of the world that have nothing whatsoever to do with the majority of people reading the canon.
linaloki
Celeblin Galadeneryn
It's the rub really. The condemnation in Romans talks far less morality than it does defying nature.
Not to mention the severe similarity to several pagan sexual rituals.
And a desire to draw lines in the sand between Judaic and pagan rites.