Homosexuality is often frowned upon by many people, most commonly from a conservative standpoint, or just from individual disgust of the topic. The reason for these concerns of homosexual others is somewhat a mystery. Why do people mind what sex others prefer sexually?

One common example of homosexuality found in the bible is Ruth 1:16-17:

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

These verses describe the love between Ruth and Naomi in the Old Testament. These writings are not frowned upon and are blatantly in the Bible. This could be seen as proof that God does not hate homosexuals or homosexual relationships, or from the conservative standpoint. Conservatives state that this relationship is purely non-sexual.

This writing is describing the physical relationship between Daniel and Asphenaz, the King of Babylon. The Hebrew words to describe the relationship were ‘chesed v'rachamim.’ Chesed is translated as mercy, and v'rachamim is translated as both mercy and physical love. This verse would not have read “receive mercy and mercy,” but rather “receive mercy and physical love.” Apparently, this verse must have been referring to a physical homosexual relationship between Daniel and Asphenaz. The conservative view of this verse is that it is inconceivable that God would let a famous prophet of Israel be a homosexual, but according to these statements he most likely was; giving the possible reality that God accepts homosexuals, therefore everyone should follow and live out his example.

Homosexuality is decent, natural, and can be traced back to Biblical times. Homosexuals should not be discriminated against. Jesus preached to his apostles and listeners that we should treat everyone equally, even the sinners, tax collectors, women, and lepers. Homosexuals are the ‘sinners, tax collectors, women, and lepers’ of today; in modern times he would teach that homosexuals and heterosexuals should be treated equally. Heterosexuals want to fall in love and marry this person. Homosexuals have this same desire, and should not be discriminated against and forbidden this right due to sexual preference.

In these times in ancient Israel, it was not considered correct for a man and a woman to have more than a strictly sexual relationship. For David to compare his love with Jonathan to the love of women, he must be talking about a sexual relationship. It would not make sense for him to compare a platonic and a sexual relationship directly to each other, so he must be talking about a sexual relationship with Jonathan.

“Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master.”

There is no proof that the relationship was sexual or not, but it very well hints that there was some kind of sexual conduct behind the writings.

Some topics in this essay:
Greenhaven Press, Daniel Asphenaz, Solidarity Solidarity, Ogden Bellis, Knight Knight’s, Social Teaching, James Kennedy, Ralph Wedgwood, Naomi Testament, Babylon Hebrew, 11 2003, 29 11, 29 11 2003, greenhaven press, gay marriage, 1999 29 11, press 1999, sexual relationship, greenhaven press 1999, press 1999 29, 1999 29, school programs, homosexuality greenhaven press, same-sex marriage, conservative standpoint,