What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D. (ISBN 096247519X)

This scholarly little book is written by Father Daniel A. Helminiak, a Catholic priest, with a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston College and Andover Newton Theological School, and a M.A. in Psychology from Boston University. At the time of publication, he was a doctoral candidate(A.B.D.) in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, and a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. I think the man has a few credentials.

It is a small volume; only 121 pages, 100 of actually text. But it is very powerful. It is not a book that screams "Gay is Good!" Instead its message is that people frequently misread the Bible, and that a closer look can lead to deeper understanding. As it says in the preface, "...Bible religion plays a major role in allowing those horrors to happen. Quote the Bible, and all discussion suddenly comes to an end. Supposedly, the Bible condemns homosexuality, and some people take that to mean that the Bible justifies hatred and cruelty against gays and lesbians."

It then examines each verse in the Bible that talks about homosexuality, or that people think address homosexuality, and examines the passage, giving translation information from the original language, and cultural and historical information that may be relevant.

Here is an example; what is the sin of Sodom?
Answer: Inhospitality. Lot had offered the angels shelter, and as their host, had to protect them, even to allowing his virgin daughters to be raped. In the desert cultures of the time, exposure at night could lead to death. The entire region had a social imperative to protect the traveler, to be a good host. That was the law that the men of Sodom broke.

The book does not draw conclusions. It does not say, read this, remember this custom, translate this word, and you can see that only I have the TRUTH. No, it is much more persuasive. It lays out all the facts, then allows you to draw your own conclusions.

I highly recommend this book. So much pain is perpetrated in this world in the name of religion. If you are gay, and the issue has caused you to fall away from the church, this book can help you rebuild your faith. If you are straight, and have problems with embracing the gay members of your congregation, this book can loose your bonds, and set you free. If you hate the homosexual, I will remind you of a quote in the fly leaf of the book;

Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. I know and am pursuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.

Romans 14:13-14

The Lavender Quill
Gay Non-Fiction

Is It a Choice?
The Martian Child
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Gay Tales of the Samurai


Gay Fiction.

Son of a Witch
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Raised by Wolves: Brethern
Raised by Wolves: Matelots
Raised by Wolves: Treasure
Raised by Wolves: Wolves
Master of Seacliff 
Ransom
Forbidden Colours
Lord John and the Private Matter
Lord John and the Hand of Devils
Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade

Comics and Graphic Novels

Side by Side
Fogtown
Black Wade: The Wild Side of Love
The Authority: Prime
Hellblazer: Highwater
Midnighter: Anthem
Midnighter: Killing Machine
Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather
Rawhide Kid: Slap Leather (part 2)

Recommended: Yes