[cheerdad]

These Genesis, Leviticus and Deuteronomy quotes are from the Old Testmament and were meant to try and keep the Jewish people pure. Of course the New Testament changed all of that with the Gentiles being brought into the fold. As for the quotes from Jeremiah and Acts, I don't take them to mean that inter-racial marriage is a sin. Sorry but I don't see the connection. And yes you did have some old line churches and even some modern day churches that use the Bible and quote out of context to make their beliefs appear to be factual when they may not be. You just have to read the Bible in the context of the quote and make your own determination.

As for homosexuality, the government can do whatever it likes. It is only a civil union under our laws anyway. But it is wrong and also unnatural IMO. Homosexuals cannot even reproduce the last time I checked. What sort of family units are we wanting to create? Of course with the way people treat marriage now I guess it doesn't matter anyway. The majority of kids come from broken families and single parent households. No wonder people are like they are now and the morals of our society are in decline. We could even go further and allow people to marry their pets. What do you think about that idea? Seriously, I know there are people that would and if you allow homosexual relationships to be recognized, then these people would have an argument to make as well.

EKYSportster, I couldn't agree with you more ... in your first paragraph!!! But, you're missing the point!!! POINT=Christians and churches and even our government using certain verses of the Bible to support their beliefs on the hot topic of the time. Example being in my last post about interracial marriage and now, this discussion thread! People were just as adamant about interracial marriage back then as people are today about gay marriage. I remember it well...and it wasn't just a few churches either. It was every main stream religious organization that had their doors open. I can't remember which TV evangelist it was, Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, but one of them even was on their show and even apologized to the people and admitted he was wrong in being against interracial marriage and for using the Bible as the pillar of their beliefs. Another thing that happened when the New Testament was written is that what is known as the Holiness Code was no longer applicable to the modern day Christian...would you agree with that?

You may say "it's only a civil union anyway" but it means the same thing. I agree, I don't want same sex couples calling it marriage, I don't...but because the words are different, don't make the meaning any different. In Vermont, the Civil Union allows state tax benefits, and many more things, in Massachusetts, they call it marriage and it equates to the same benefits.

You have to do MORE than "... just have to read the Bible in the context of the quote and make your own determination". While reading and studying, you have to pray and ask God for understanding. You need to know and understand the context the ORIGINAL text! Personally, I think that is where many of our misinterpretations originate. We are so keen upon taking whatever beliefs our church has, whatever our pastors say as being gospel, instead of getting into the Word ourselves and letting God speak to us.