The Bible and the Real Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

Its a fact that I am not a believer. For now, I assert my right not to believe in anything.

I did not read the original article from Rev Kasibante, but I was struck by the answer that he gave to someone who attacked him. The letter is headlined 'I have no agenda to defend gays'

No, I did not know that the real sin of Sodom and Gomorah was not homosexuality!

Monitor Online | Letters to the Editor Date 13/09/2007

I wish your readers to note that it’s not I who would want them to believe this. It is the very Bible that Aligawesa claims he understands that says it in Ezekiel 16: 49. I quote: “This was the iniquity of your sister, Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, over-abundance of bread, and leisure, but they did not extend their hand to the poor”. People reading the Bible should also use their intellect. According to Genesis 18, God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah if ten righteous persons were found there.

Now, I will have to hide this from my mate, because he is a christian and one of the reason I keep giving him (why I do not believe in his god) is that the bible has incontrovertible proof to the fact that god hates me. Well, at least Ssempa and Nsaba Buturo would have me so to believe.

Now, another thing here.

I saw this joke on a yahoo group, lgbtanglicans. Apparently it is old. And maybe out moded. For a Ugandan audience, I decided to adapt it a little bit, and I first posted it here. But I thought I should also bring it here.

Dont mistake me. I am not Christian. (Dont know why I keep saying that. Maybe because Christians keep trying to convert me, or condemn me.) I have not checked the scriptures mentioned. I assume they are correct since I picked it from a Christian discussion group!

Dear Pastor Ssempa:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's
Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to
share that knowledge with as many people as I can. For
example, when someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly
states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

However, I do need some advice from you regarding some of the
other specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it
creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem
is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them.
Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as
sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you
think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she
is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19-24.
The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most
women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both
male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring
nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Rwandese,
but not Kenyans. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Kenyans?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath.
Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I
morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish
is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God
if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear
reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there
some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including
the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly
forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead
pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear
gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting
two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by
wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread
(cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme
a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble
of getting the whole town together to stone them
(Lev.24:10-16) ? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a
private family affair like we do with people who sleep with
their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these
things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that the Bible is eternal and unchanging.

Do I need to add a comment to that? No?

Well, that is my post for today.

Gug