People read the Bible as the absolute truth, but they pick andchoose words, phrases and sentences for support, a speaker saidSunday night at the Student Center.
Frank Gorman was the first speaker for Spectrum's PeopleRespecting Our Unique Differences Week.
Gorman, professor of religious studies at Bethany College,discussed what the Bible says about homosexuality. He discussedpossible interpretations and misinterpretations.
The church can support or discriminate against gays, lesbiansand bisexuals, Gorman said.
"I feel very strongly about the church's role in hate-mongeringon this issue," he said. "As an ordained minister, I take thatseriously. I'm here as a friend of the people."
Ill feelings come from misinterpretations of the Bible and itshistory, Gorman said.
When fragments or verses are taken from the Bible, theirmeanings can be taken out of context, he said.
Gorman cited Leviticus 17-26, known as the Holiness Codes, asexamples of popularly misused passages.
According to Gorman, the codes were used as a guide for thepeople of Israel. Codes were impurity rules defining the differencebetween clean and unclean.
One code describes how the Canannites were defilers of the landand sexually perverse, Gorman said.
"We make people bad and we immediately relate it to sex," Gormansaid. "We think they must have a sexual problem ... we're toofocused on sex."
For instance, the story of the men of Sodom reflects violenceand power instead of sexual appetite, Gorman said.
In Genesis 19:5-11, a mob of men asked "to know" the visitingmale outsider, Gorman said. When the mob's request is refused, theyrape a woman all night. Gorman interpreted the phrase "to know" as"to have sex."
"This is about violence and rape," Gorman said. "This is aboutviolence being used to put someone down. I find this disgusting.It's all about power. If you want to really understand sex andpower, then go to prison."
However, Gorman said everyone, including Christians, have theright to their own interpretation of the Bible.
He encouraged students to read and to question the Bible.
"I don't think the Bible is the absolute truth," Gorman said. "Idon't think it can provide me with the right answers. It providesme with the right questions."
Gorman's personal admission caused murmuring in theaudience.
"He surprised me. He doesn't believe the Bible is the absolutetruth. To me, what's the point of being a minister, if you do notbelieve it is the absolute truth," junior Jeremy Kinney said.
In today's society, believers need to be understanding andinterpret the Bible with a contemporary context, Gorman said.
"Religion affects acts of Congress and many other things. It isunfortunate that the teachings of Christ are misused. If I was aChristian, I would be upset that my religion was being used ashate," Spectrum internal vice president Anthony Amstutz said.
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