Understanding the Bible isn't always so simple

To the editor:

There is no basis for linking homosexuality with Sodom and Gomorrah. Biblical scholars have discounted this reading for quite some time, arguing that the sin of inhospitality was the one being condemned.

I suppose if the word "know" is taken sexually, then the Bible condemns homosexual rape but seems totally unconcerned about heterosexual rape since Lot offered his daughters to the men of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Those of you who love to quote the Bible forget sometimes that the Bible was not written in English, nor are the translations most popularly used, such as the King James Version, the most reliable.

Those of you who like to quote St. Paul forget that Christ said nothing about homosexuality, nor is this so-called sin listed in the Ten Commandments, nor does Paul's reference to sexual immorality necessarily have to mean homosexuals.

Christians need to follow Christ's teachings. Otherwise, the religion might as well be called Paulianity.

DEAN SHACKELFORD

Cape Girardeau