Was Yeshua of Nazareth straight, bisexual or gay?

Frank

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Jan 28, 2018, 6:26:56 AM1/28/18

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http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jegay.htm

Yeshua of Nazareth/Jesus Christ

Part 1 of 3:
Was Yeshua of Nazareth straight, bisexual or gay?

Overview:

We recognize that the title to this essay will be seen by many readers
as rather inflammatory.

Australian educator, Michael Kelly wrote that this:

"... question is, apparently, provocative....even asking the
question is sacrilege, blasphemy, a vilification of Christianity, and
a mockery of people's deepest beliefs." 1

Judging by the anger shown by many Christians toward the Da Vinci Code
book and movie, which portrayed Jesus as married, some find it
difficult to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus having been
sexually active. The thought that he might have been gay or bisexual
are even more difficult to handle.

There appears to be no passage in the Christian Scriptures (New
Testament) which positively identifies Jesus' sexual orientation. The
Bible does not say clearly whether Jesus was asexual -- that he had no
feelings of sexual attraction at all. He If he was sexually attracted
to others, the Bible does not say whether he was a:

* Heterosexual, having feelings of sexual attraction only to
women, or

* Homosexual, being sexually attracted only to men,

* Bisexual orientation, being attracted to both men and women.

It is also silent on whether Jesus was celibate or sexually active;
single or married, childless or with children. 2 In spite of the
Bible's silence, some theologians have asserted that Jesus was asexual
or had, and presumably still has, a specific sexual orientation.

Following our web site mandate, we will attempt to objectively explain
all sides to the issue, and let you make up your own mind.

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Terminology:

The words "gay" and "homosexual" are difficult to use without causing
confusion, because they have been given multiple, contradictory
meanings:

1. Many religious conservatives define them in terms of behavior.
Homosexuality is what a person does. A homosexual is a person who
engages in sexual activities with persons of the same sex.

2. Many religious liberals, Roman Catholics, gays, lesbians,
bisexuals, religious mainliners, mental health professionals and human
sexuality researchers define these words in terms of feelings.
Homosexuality is one part of what a person is. A homosexual is a
person who has a homosexual orientation. Their self-identification,
fantasies and desire for sexual activity is focused only on persons of
the same sex.

We will use the second definition in this essay, because it is in
general use in the medical and scientific communities, and is in
growing use among the public.

These two definitions can lead to disputes. They make dialogue
essentially impossible between religious conservatives and others. For
example:

* A person with a bisexual orientation who engaged in sex with
person(s) of the same sex and who now has decided to confine their
sexual relationship to a person of the opposite sex is considered to
be an ex-gay by many conservative Christians. But many others regard
the person to be a bisexual whose sexual orientation has not changed.
Only their behavior choice has altered.

* A person with a homosexual orientation who was once sexually
active and who has decided to remain celibate is also considered an
ex-gay by many conservative Christians. But others regard them to be a
homosexual whose sexual orientation has not changed. They have simply
decided to become sexually inactive.

Indications that Jesus did not have a homosexual orientation:

* Since there is no precise statement about Jesus' sexual
orientation in the Bible, we can safely start with the assumption that
Yeshua of Nazareth/Jesus was a heterosexual. Only about 5% of males
have a homosexual orientation in North America today. The percentage
in in ancient Judea during the 1st century CE was probably about the
same. Some Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups (LGBT) often
claim 10%; conservative Protestants often claim 2% or even less. But
these claims seem to be based on unreliable science and unreliable
polling methods. Even fewer men in their late 20s or early 30s when
Jesus was conducting his ministry would be asexual. Perhaps 5% would
be bisexual. So, without considering any other factors, the chances of
Jesus being heterosexual is quite large -- almost 90%.

* The vast majority of Christian theologians have probably never
seriously considered the possibility that Jesus was gay. If they were
asked their opinion on the question, the vast majority would probably
consider him to be heterosexual; many probably assume that he was
devoid of erotic or sexual feelings -- that is, asexual.

On the other hand, there is an often quoted concept that reading
the Gospels is like looking down a well. What you see in both cases is
a reflection of yourself. Social activists often view Jesus as a
social activist. Spiritual people frequently look upon Jesus as
spiritual. Heterosexuals may see at Jesus as a heterosexual.
Homosexuals may look upon him as gay, etc.

* Jesus was an observant Jew who, according to the Gospels, was
often followed by Pharisees and scribes who severely criticized him.
He was charged with being possessed by Satan. He was accused of being
a party animal who consorted with the dregs of society -- prostitutes,
tax collectors, etc. Yet there is no record of them accusing him of
being gay. In 1st century Judea, same-sex behavior among men was a
most serious offense, worthy of the death penalty. If Jesus were gay,
and if the Jewish establishment knew of his orientation, they would
certainly have used it against him. Yet there is no record in the
Gospels or in subsequent Jewish literature of the topic ever having
been mentioned.

On the other hand, the Pharisees might have accused Jesus of
being gay. If so, then the story did not make it into the Gospels.
Alternatively, the account might have appeared in early writings, but
censored in later Gospel drafts.

Sponsored link:

* In Matthew 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12, Jesus supports the concept
that God made a man and a woman so that they could marry. He is quoted
as saying in both Gospels:

"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put
asunder."

Also, in Matthew 5:17-18, after the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
said:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the
prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say
unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."

Jesus obviously supported opposite-sex marriage and the Mosaic
Law which was interpreted at the time as calling for the execution of
all male homosexuals. 3

On the other hand, Jesus' general support for opposite-sex
marriage and the Mosaic law gives little or no insight into his actual
sexual orientation.
*

There are hints in the New Testament that Jesus had a very close
loving relationship with Mary Magdalene which might have included
sexually activity. Some theologians believe that the two were married.
Dan Brown in his wildly successful novel "The Da Vinci Code" advocates
this position. If Jesus possessed a homosexual orientation, he would
have avoided sexual intimacy with all women:
o The Gospel of John (20:1) states that she was the first
person who, alone, visited the cave where Jesus' body was laid. That
would have typically been the role of a wife in that society.

o John (20:2-10) describes how other followers came to the
tomb and left to return home. But Mary stayed. Again this would have
been the behavior of a wife or an engaged woman.

o In John (20:17) Jesus instructed Mary to "Touch me not."
Apparently Mary was about to touch his body or at least there was some
possibility that she might do so. Again it would have been
inconceivable for an man and woman to touch in 1st century Judea,
unless they were a married or engaged couple.

o There are other indications that Jesus and Mary Magdalene
were married. If this is true, then it is very unlikely that he would
have been homosexual or asexual. He probably would have been
heterosexual or bisexual.

o Some English translation of he Gospel of Philip -- one of
the forty or so gospels that were widely used by the early Christian
Church but which did not make it into the Christian Scriptures (a.k.a.
New Testament) -- contains two interesting statements:

+ "There were three who always walked with the Lord:
Mary, his mother, and her sister, and Magdalene, the one who was
called his companion. His sister and his mother and his companion were
each ... [called] Mary."

+ "As for the Wisdom who is called 'the barren,' she
is the mother of the angels. And the companion of the [...] Mary
Magdalene. [...] loved her more than all the disciples, and used to
kiss her often on her mouth." 4

Whether the term "companion" meant that Jesus was married to
Mary Magdalene or was sexually intimate with her is unclear. There
sole original manuscript unfortunately contains a hole where English
translators have inserted the word "mouth." So the second passage
might have actually referred to Jesus kissing her hand or her shoes.
Still, the act of kissing anywhere would have been a gross violation
of Jewish customs unless Jesus and Mary were engaged or married.

This topic continues in the next essay, Part 2.

Go to:
(To read part 2)
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jegay.htm

duke

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Jan 28, 2018, 8:37:43 AM1/28/18

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On Sun, 28 Jan 2018 05:26:34 -0600, Frank <Fr...@att.net> wrote:

>Was Yeshua of Nazareth straight, bisexual or gay?

He is God in the flesh. Figure it out for yourself.

the dukester, American-American

*****
The Purpose of scripture is not to inform,
but to form, not to teach but to live.

*****

Frank