I'm in the process of coming out slowly but surely to all my close relatives and most of them don't take religion too seriously so it's been fairly easy for the three I've told to at least try to understand but I feel like my grandma (who I live with) is going to be an obstacle. She's very religious and has read the Bible multiple times I'm sure and I don't have much money to waste on a book that isn't accurate.

I'm coming out as trans, not gay so it's not entirely fitting but hopefully it will work but if she can build a successful argument against everything it says in that book, then I'll just be wasting my money.

If you don't believe what is said in that book then you won't believe anything your grandmother says. When people have a particular mindset it won't matter what you say to support your case they will always find something to "knock it down" with.

Sorry it probably won't help... I hope your Gran' is spritely and very open to the world..

However some people, especially the older generation are very fixed in their idea's and understanding of life... tend to continue living in their time...  I'm older too, but guess what, I live life for what it is... but again that makes sense, right 

Good luck tho... Hope it goes well for you 

L Katy

Just doing a simple Google search for pro-gay Christian book - Gay Christian Network apparently has a list of recommended books, including, The Children Are Free: Reexamining the Biblical Evidence on Same-Sex Relationships - you may wish to check that out. I've never read it, but it's probably a good read.

Otherwise, the documentary, For The Bible Tells Me So is a good one to watch as well.

If you want support from a Christian perspective, there is a Christianity forum on here...

Otherwise, apparently there are a few Christian Public Leaders on here as well.

Otherwise, after reading a review on the original book in question... I think that would be a good book to read as well. There's resources out there. Major American Christian denominations have LGBT-Affirming organizations that could be helpful as well.

Perry, some folks just aren't going to let the facts get in the way of a firmly held opinion.  Though I must say that I don't see the point if you're going to get into a debate over apologetics and theology on homosexuality with your Gran if you don't hold any belief in the Bible yourself.

I'm reminded of the things my own elderly Mum would say about Jews never mind that I was married to one for 15 years and by Mosaic law both my children are Jewish.  In the end I gave up arguing with Mum because it was plain she wasn't going to change. Oy vey iz mir! (sigh).

The Unitarian churches tend to be more open minded. To my knowledge, nearly all the anti-gay passages are from Leviticus 18-20 or the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. The latter to which the act of non-procreative sex has been cherry-picked as the basis for anti-Sodomy laws. Neither of these actually ever mention homosexuality, which is a word we only invented ~160 years ago with its counterpart heterosexual to explain German anti-sodomy laws to Americans. Homophobia doesn't have any basis in the bible.

Transgender issues are brought up in the bible depending on how you interpret Joseph and the technicolor dreamcoat. The actual item he receives from his father is only mentioned again as a very elaborate wedding gown, and it makes more sense that his brothers tore it off Joseph and left him for dead as possibly the first recorded form of transphobic violence. Mar? as well as Jesus are depicted carrying water, which is an exclusive task for women at that time. Of castratti, Jesus states there is a spot open to them exalted above others. And it's been debated that doubting Thomas has links to the Indian Hijra.

The whole anti-cross dressing thing is the closest people can point to for anti-trans stuff, but it's so vague. Essentially people who act for all intents and purposes as the gender they are dressed as, are fine although they may be stigmatized or shunned for inexplicable purposes in biblical passages. And if you actually pay attention to the reasons Sodom and Gomorrah angered God, there's a much larger emphasis on rape and uncharitability than anti-gay sentiment.

Although it really depends on what translation you read, because the King James Version is the most popular source for hate quotes.

My best advice, an oblique defense through words friendly or unfriendly to homosexuality does nothing for you unless you are gay and trans. Open with who you are, be yourself, be proud because no one else can be you. And as long as you aren't financially dependent on them, you can write them off if they turn out to be bigots. Good Luck!


     Hugs,
- Katie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Best thing for me, which has worked, is to get a book by an well known academic scholar which supports transgender and homosexuality, that way if your loved ones don't accept it, maybe it will be of secondary use to you as a academic source, since academics usually use highly articulate and rigorous argument to defend their points of view. You can then, usually simplify it/dumb it down to whatever level you need to, to make anybody else understand it, if need be.

Religion and pro homosexual, transgender stance? Don't know any off the top of my head, but I would surmise they do exist. What I said above is a blanket statement defending homosexuality and transgender views, against naysayers.

Works for me

"What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" is available in e.book form on Amazon for Kindle.  If your own a Kindle reader it's a lot cheaper than buying the printed book.  Amazon has other similar titles as well also in e.book form.