Here, once again, I can understand why someone biased against homosexuality would feel justified in using these 2 verses to sanctify their condemnatory agenda, and yet – as is so often the case – a closer examination of the Scriptures reveals quite a different story …

Consider first of all that it is NOT homosexuals or homosexual couples (or even homosexual desires) that are condemned in this passage, but rather “arsenokoites” – a Greek word (translated as “sodomites” in some texts – and incorrectly as “homosexuals” in others) that literally means “a male who is engaging in same-gender sexual activity” (see Strong’s #733) … As such, once again, we here have a verse that does not apply whatsoever to homosexuals who are not actively engaged in homosexual sex, and thus a verse that does not apply at all to the vast majority of homosexuals the vast majority of the time — certainly not when conservative Christians are condemning them, unless those same Christians have had the gall to sneak into a homosexual person’s bedroom and condemn them “during the act” (!!!!)

Secondly, these two verses have Paul listing quite a few other equally “wicked” sins that also keep those committing them from entering the Kingdom of God – among them adultery, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling. Especially in light of Jesus redefinition of adultery to include all those who even so much as fantasize about sleeping with someone other than their husband or wife (see Matthew 5:27-28), these other, primarily heterosexual transgressions are far more common and indeed far more insidious than homosexual sex is or will ever be. And as such, it is a clear expression of bigotry (and for most, a clear expression of hypocrisy as well) to focus solely on the latter one at the exclusion of the former many …

Thirdly & finally, one might refer as well to 1 Corinthians 6:13-18 – where Paul focuses not on gay sex or homosexuality at all, but rather condemns ALL forms of fornication as the sin that ALL of us should first & foremost avoid. In addition, Galatians 5:19-21 has Paul also blasting the sins of hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy – many of which are committed by conservative Christians every time they themselves condemn homosexuals!