Who is to blame?

Who is to blame?

It is very difficult to parse out all of the factors that lead to heterosexism and anti-gay attitudes in our society. And, all the factors that lead to the suicide of a gay teen are even more complicated. However, I wonder if you have a book in your house that you point to as a source of wisdom. Is this a book that you quote in times of crisis, in times of celebration, and refer to when milestones are reach by you and your loved ones? What would a gay teen find in this book if he was looking for some help in his crisis of being bullied or harassed for being gay? I guess it depends on which version of the book you have in your house.

If you are a UCC, one of the most liberal Christian denominations, who fully accepts LGBT folks into the congregation and the ministry, you mostly likely have The New Revised Standard Version sold on the UCC website.

New Revised Standard Version: Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”

If you are a Roman Catholic (love the sinner, hate the sin) in the USA, you most likely have the New American Bible.

New American Bible: Leviticus 18:22 “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination.”

And, so on…

King James Version: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Living Bible: Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin.

New International Version: Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

New Living Translation: Do not practice homosexuality; it is a detestable sin.

Hmmm…