Science, Scripture, and Homosexuality

Homosexuality is a conflict-ridden issue in religion. One factor leading to negative attitudes is interpretation regarding the Bible's stance on the subject.Alice Ogden Bellis and Terry L. Hufford provide a new approach to the subject by focusing on the way biblical interpreters have responded to other historical, scientific advances that conflicted with a literal reading of the Bible. They contend that Christians became convinced the Bible is authoritative in matters of religion, but not of science.Written in a highly accessible way, the book explains the basics of genetics and the growing evidence suggesting an organic basis for homosexual orientation.Bellis interprets problematic biblical passages about homosexuality and deftly illustrates:-- They are based on ancient perspectives on human sexuality and natural law that modern science is rapidly making obsolete-- Some are oriented toward ancient practices of homosexuality, which were radically different from the current situation-- The Bible may be read as supporting either heterosexual or homosexual relationships in which the couple is developing a profound intimacy over a long period of time.