Isn't it sad that we're in the year 2010 and we're still worrying more in the USA about same sex marriage than stuff that really affects everyone like, oh..THE ENERGY CRISIS
( Read more... )
I know enough from my studies to know that some parts of the Bible were translated by people who slid their own prejudices and agendas into it. But, what else is new? That's what people tend to do.
A quick summary. The word translated "homosexuals" or "men who lie with men" in Greek is not the Greek word for homosexual. That word is "adonokoite" which literally means "sex between males". The word the apostle Paul uses 4 times in his writing is "adenokoite" which looks a little like "adonokoite" but isn't the same word.
Adenokoite is a word not really found in modern Greek usage, it refers to something that was part of the culture then, but has died out. It is used in a heterosexual context, for one thing, it has nothing to do with same sex relations. It meant "temple prostitute" roughly according to most Biblical scholars who are more familiar with the Greek culture and language of the time. Paul was warning against having sex with people(male of female) who prostituted themselves in the name of a local god or goddess...very much part of Greek society at the time. Mostly because it was spiritually inconsistent with Christianity, but not because it was "queer"...temple prostitutes were both male and female.
Another proposed definition, I should add, was "pedophile" which could refer to Paul's own disapproval of the Greek custom of an older man sexually mentoring a boy. Sexual aspects to scholarly mentoring were considered pretty normal amongst the ancient Greeks. But, since the word is also used to refer to women, and women weren't educated in that manner, the idea of temple prostitution seems to fit better. Adeno means, roughly not "male" but "user" and temple prostitutes were how the temples sustained themselves financially, to some extent. They "used" their customers in the name of the gods.
They did accommodate same sex acts, not out of attraction or inclination, but for money..sometimes they were "gay for pay" as we'd say now, but the word in no way refers exclusively to homosexuality.
You know Greek???
Reply
But, what else is new? That's what people tend to do.
Reply
That's the reason that I love to read your entries you are saying things with their names and sufisient bite...
Reply
The word translated "homosexuals" or "men who lie with men" in Greek is not the Greek word for homosexual.
That word is "adonokoite" which literally means "sex between males".
The word the apostle Paul uses 4 times in his writing is "adenokoite" which looks a little like "adonokoite" but isn't the same word.
Adenokoite is a word not really found in modern Greek usage, it refers to something that was part of the culture then, but has died out.
It is used in a heterosexual context, for one thing, it has nothing to do with same sex relations.
It meant "temple prostitute" roughly according to most Biblical scholars who are more familiar with the Greek culture and language of the time. Paul was warning against having sex with people(male of female) who prostituted themselves in the name of a local god or goddess...very much part of Greek society at the time.
Mostly because it was spiritually inconsistent with Christianity, but not because it was "queer"...temple prostitutes were both male and female.
That's all.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
Sexual aspects to scholarly mentoring were considered pretty normal amongst the ancient Greeks.
But, since the word is also used to refer to women, and women weren't educated in that manner, the idea of temple prostitution seems to fit better.
Adeno means, roughly not "male" but "user" and temple prostitutes were how the temples sustained themselves financially, to some extent. They "used" their customers in the name of the gods.
They did accommodate same sex acts, not out of attraction or inclination, but for money..sometimes they were "gay for pay" as we'd say now, but the word in no way refers exclusively to homosexuality.
Reply
Leave a comment