Rereading Canonical Identity: A Sexual Ethics of Bible Interpretation

Gay men’s and their religiously conservative family allies’ scriptural engagement.

“…Some even suggest that the strong communal context of the text positions scriptures as a “tool for supporting aggression and hostility” toward outgroup members (Kille, 2007, p. 237). In this vein, Judeo-Christian scriptural justifications have been used by religious and political groups to support discrimination, subjugation, and genocide throughout the centuries (Frontain, 1997; Kille, 2007; Kotrosits, 2010; Village, 2007). For example, Judeo-Christian influenced cultures have utilized the Torah and the New Testament to justify homosexual prohibitions (e.g., Genesis 19:1–28; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; I Corinthians 6:9–10; I Timothy 1:9–11; Scanzoni & Mollenkott, 1994; Shokeid, 1995; Swigonski, 2001).…”