There is a great amount of discussion in our time about the practice of homosexuality. The "same sex marriage" issue is under growing discussion in political circles and has even been at issue in several recent ballot proposals across the country. In the case of the slaying of an avowed lesbian sheriff's deputy last year, the homosexual rights advocates in Tampa engaged in open and strident protests for the surviving "partner" to receive "spousal benefits" on par with "straight" couples. In the denominational world, the mainstream religious groups of our time are not only refusing to condemn homosexuality, but are engaged in open efforts to "ordain" homosexuals into their "clergy." More and more, those who maintain the Bible ground of condemning homosexual behavior find themselves under assault as "bigots" and denounced as out of step with reality.
While the controversy is raging, there is an active effort to portray homosexuality in a positive light. Its practitioners are rarely termed "sodomites" anymore. The new word is "gay," a word which before its recent abuse referred to one who was light-hearted and cheerful. The present attempt is to redefine homosexuality as an alternate lifestyle rather than a sinful practice.
The entertainment industry has played a significant role in attempting to transform public attitudes towards homosexuality. The movies and television shows which depict homosexuality do not view it as a case of immorality, but of "civil rights." They realize they have a public relations problem with which to deal and they are doing their best to change popular opinion. Newsweek (July 20, 1992, p. 55) revealed a study comparing the values of Hollywood to the national average. When asked whether they believed homosexual acts were immoral, only 20% of those in Hollywood answered "yes" versus 76% of the rest of the nation. In the ten years or so since that poll, there is no doubt that the entertainment industry has made advances in their agenda to legitimize homosexuality in law and public opinion. Do you think they are going to stop now? Or do you expect them to press their agenda further? How far will they go to flaunt homosexuality as an acceptable, alternate lifestyle. The disgusting and telling announcement below is reproduced verbatim from the Bravo channel web site and it is indicative of how far our society has digressed from decency:
"Boy Meets Boy" is Bravo's distinctive take on the popular dating show format. It is a gay dating show that goes beyond the expected with twists that explore the unexpected.
Hosted by Dani Behr ("Extra"), "Boy Meets Boy" centers on a handsome leading man who spends 8 days in a luxurious location with 15 potential soul "mates". The suitors vie for his affections by participating in group activities and going on one-on-one dates, while the leading man, with the advice of his best girl friend, who is also on hand, whittle down the dating pool as he eliminates guys at the end of each episode. The series culminates with the leading man making his final choice. Adding to the suspense is an element of surprise - midway through the series the leading man discovers that some of the "mates" are actually straight - a twist that allows for numerous avenues of social exploration that challenge preconceived notions of what is considered gay and straight behavior.
If that is not enough to make one sick, he is too far gone to help! A few years ago, such depravity would not have been tolerated in public, but now it appears on television -- not the paid "premium" channels, mind you, but on the regular cable channel where all including children are encouraged to tune in! Lest anyone be under the delusion that Hollywood has some limit on the wretched conduct it would put on the screen, let it be understood by this show that there is no limit to the disgusting and abominable behavior they will parade in public view in the quest for their agenda to make homosexuality accepted in this society.
Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." That does not sound like God accepted it as an "alternate lifestyle." He condemned it as a mandatory death-style.
Leviticus 18:22 - "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." Homosexuality is not "progressive," "open," "broad-minded" and "accepting" in God's eyes. It is an abomination.
Deuteronomy 23:17 - "There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel." God did not want Israel to tolerate homosexuality. God wanted the practice eliminated!
1 Kings 14:24 - "... and there were also sodomites in the land: they did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the children of Israel." When Asa put away the sodomites by the death penalty commanded in the law, God approved of the cleansing of such immorality (1 Kgs. 15:11-12). Whenever sodomites were tolerated in the land, it was a clear indicator of rebellion against God and assured God's condemnation of those tolerating it.
Romans 1:26-27 - "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." Whether male or female homosexuality, God denounces it as shameful.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." No, God does not tolerate homosexuality nor does He offer equal opportunity access for homosexuals into His eternal housing. Homosexuals will be excluded from heaven!
What must be done by one practicing such to be right in God's eyes? The same as any other practice of sin would demand. The homosexual must see that the practice is sinful, repent of the sin (which involves ceasing the practice), and obey God's conditions for pardon or forgiveness of that sin (Acts 2:38; 8:22). One must cease the practice of homosexuality and not practice it again to be acceptable to God.