Rite and Reason: The extraordinary debate generated by the issue of homosexuality within the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion would appear to be entirely disproportionate to biblical concern with it, writes Patsy McGarry.
One of the more remarkable phenomena of modern times must be those occasional paroxysms which convulse Christian Churches over issues of human sexuality. Indeed nothing else - neither wars, famines, genocide, Third World debt, tyrannies, etc. - seems to have quite the same power to bring out such passion from holy souls. The Vatican - which has yet to speak out on victims of clerical child sex abuse - employs its fiercest language on the subject, while Anglicans are now faced with schism following the election of gay Canon Gene Robinson as bishop of the Episcopalian diocese of New Hampshire.
Indeed such was the furore following the announcement in May that Church of England Canon Jeffrey John - a gay priest - was to be next Bishop of Reading that he felt impelled to decline the nomination. Adding fuel to the fire (and brimstone!) was news from Canada on May 23rd that Bishop Michael Ingham of the (Anglican) diocese of New Westminster had approved a rite to bless same-sex unions.
Along with the hysteria generated by these events, and the Pope's recent document condemning homosexuality as evil, it has also emerged (again) from the pyres of evangelical fury that such strength of feeling about homosexuality is not at all matched by proportionate concern in the books of the Bible.
For example, Jesus never once addressed the subject. Indeed the most quoted New Testament references to support opposition to homosexuality are from St Paul in Romans 1. 26/27. Then the same saint's writings have also been used to justify misogyny, slavery, and anti-semitism.
Theologians have also tended to rely on rather skimpy Old Testament texts to sustain opposition to all things gay. An example was quoted by Dr Laura Schlessinger, a radio personality in the US who advises people who call her syndicated show. She stirred up controversy in 2000 when she said on-air that as an observant Orthodox Jew (seeming obsession with issues of human sexuality are another element common to the three great Abrahamic religions, - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) in her view, homosexuality was " an abomination", as described in Leviticus 18:22, and could not be condoned in any circumstances.
Among the many responses to that comment was an open letter to Dr Laura written on the Internet by a US resident known only as "Jim". It puts Old Testament indictments of homosexuality in context. It reads:
"Dear Dr Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can.
When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I just simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination.
End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to follow them.
(A) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odour for the Lord Leviticus 1:19. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
(B) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
(C) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness, according to Leviticus 15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
(D) Leviticus 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
(E) I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
(F) A friend of mine feels that though eating shellfish is an abomination (Leviticus 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
(G) Leviticus 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wriggle room here?
(H) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Leviticus 19:27. How should they die?
(I) I know from Leviticus 11:68 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
(J) My uncle has a farm. He violates Leviticus 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot.
Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them, as advised in Leviticus 24:10-16? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws, in accordance with Leviticus 20:14?
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan, Jim."
Patsy McGarry is The Irish Times' Religious Affairs Correspondent