Since the dawn of time, a small number of men and women have found themselves to be attracted to members of their own sex. This has come to be known as homosexuality. In every age, this minority has struggled with the prejudices and hatred of others unfamiliar with the homosexual struggle. Even today, in a technologically-advanced world satiated with answers to many difficult questions, the cause and condition of homosexuality remains an enigma.
             Fear of the unknown is a common plague upon mankind. This fear, unfortunately, has most conspicuously reared its ugly head in the ecclesiastical traditions of the Judeo-Christian people. Up until the twelfth century, organized religion had little to say about homosexuality (Marcus 141). Women, Negroes, and homosexuals are among many of those oppressed by the intense, fear-spawned hatred which has made its home in the church. Of these many groups, though, homosexuals are the only group that is still significantly persecuted by the church.
             Does Jehovah really condemn homosexuality? If not, why has this lie of condemnation been allowed to sweep through the church, without obstacle, for so many years? The not-so-simple truth is that God does not condemn homosexuality. Human error and ignorance have perpetuated the false belief that homosexuality is an abomination. Briefly, some of these errors will now be discussed and refuted.
             There are at least two important things to keep in mind when reading the Bible. First, one must always consider its context. In order to understand any writing, whether it be a letter, an e-mail, a poem, a speech, or even the Bible, it is necessary to understand its background. One should consider who is speaking, to whom the writing is addressed, why the writing was authored, and what events surrounded its composition.
             In the case of the Scriptures, the cultural and social context of Biblical times was very different from our own. For example, w...