If I may, I would suggest that nearly any verse from any translation of the Bible can be refuted within the same book and translation. Strict interpretation of sentences without context can make a strong point for any given personal, spiritual or political stance.
If i am looking at a quote from the Bible I like to start by the King James translation. Mostly because it was the first English version. All others have come from that one. I don't read Hebrew, Latin, German(I do a little but not well enough to do more than "Dick and Jane" type stuff) or any of the ancient languages. So, for me, King James is were it starts. It is about the same time period as Shakespeare. So, if we can follow Hamlet's angsty feelings and reasons for doing or not doing things, we can do the same with King James. I am no biblical or religious scholar(I don't even play one on TV). I just took a really good class in college.
King James version does include the word effeminate:
"6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"
I am not arguing that using only that word and not men takes power away. Males would be implied since Paul didn't really hold a lot of appreciation for teaching women. Reading that line makes it absolute. However, if you read before and after, there is more to the story. Paul continues to list others as unworthy to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. Reading before the passage, Paul is talking about who should one turn to as judges to decide things of this life. He then lists what he sees as the problem of going to secular judges are. They will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven because of these issues and are not able to decide from there. Interestingly enough he is talking about wordly things. If we want to go the the source of those ideas Jesus said that wordly things are of this world. That whole give unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's, thing.
Paul goes on to talk about how many in the Church of Corinth were of the groups of terrible descriptions that were listed in 6:9 and 6:10. However they have been "washed clean". He goes on to talk about how the body is not for fornication but for God. He says that it is not good for a man to touch a woman. However, if he must then he should be married.
My problem with much of this passage is historical context. If we consider all who are listed in those two verses as wrong doers, there is no one who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the important messages of the New Testament is that no one is really worthy to inherit it on their own. It is only through Jesus's actions and the grace of the Holy Spirit that any human is saved. Whether you believe in Christianity or not that is what it all boils down to. Might I add that Christianity is a following of Christ. If you follow Christ, you should look at what he is quoted as having said. His apostles are all well and good and interpret with authority but Jesus did not say, "I came to save the Jews, a few of the Gentiles and really the good ones who show up on Sunday already knowing just how good they are. I am not saving those terrible people who are like the residents of those evil cities of the Torah, nor the abortion doctors, nor other wrong doers."
If you believe in Christianity, he came to help those in trouble. If you believe, Christianity seems to be a journey, not just a destination. Much like in Islam, or any other religion, it is an ongoing (dare I say it) transition within yourself to do what you feel your God wants or requires of you. Please don't take my word for it. Yes, as I child I went to Sunday school and I took a really good class. Read it yourself. However, read it all. It may hurt a little, most growth or change does. Don't let some overly zealous person just pick and grab a line or two and point to it as an absolute. It feels like some of the people making these arguments are trying to keep the undesirable elements out of their heaven. What is important to remember is that Jesus ate and hung out with those undesirables. If these are your beliefs, who would he show up to today?
I don't mean to sound as critical as I do. I am constantly doubting and questioning my own beliefs, convictions, place as a transgendered person... I just get so sick of potentially uplifting texts and beliefs being hijacked to not just exclude others but to make you feel bad about yourself.
If you liked how Christianity felt when you practiced it(even that is a very interesting phrase considering what I just suggested), don't give up on it. Maybe you are a sinner according to those verses. There are other verses. Looking in what Jesus said the greatest commandment is to "Love God and then love others as you have loved yourself". Wow, it hadn't even hit me till just now. I have been pretty self-loathing for a long time. I am now trying to love myself. So, as much as I can love myself(and everyone tells me I have to do more of that) I should love others at least that much.
So that's my 200 cents.
With loving thoughts,
Joanna
