Christian faith, it directs our values and serves as a guide in how to live. We also learn about God and Jesus by reading the historical stories of ancient people.

Some believe that every word in the Bible is the literal truth and without error. Others believe that the Bible is a guide and that its basic principles of loving God and our fellow man are central to Christian life. In addition, some people believe that parts of the Bible were written according to the beliefs and customs of cultures that have since changed as God's creation has evolved and as civilization has become more educated.

Many people believe it is against Christian values to judge others. (You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself. Rom. 2:1). The Bible should not be used as a means of judging. At one time in this country, Bible verses that talked about slavery in ancient times were cited by proponents of slavery to condone slavery in America.

We must not throw away our basic values of common decency or the Bible as a guide, but we must carefully examine all verses to determine if God's meaning is being interpreted correctly. Cultures and civilization change, which necessitates removing the stigma and oppression of any people as was allowed in Biblical times. Students of history recognize that chroniclers and reporters of history are influenced by the times in which they live, their own beliefs and prejudices, devices and desires. The truth is malleable.

The history of the Bible and ancient cultures is complex. Scholars have studied the Bible for centuries in an attempt to reveal the will of God. Unfortunately, the original manuscripts are not complete and there have been many translations through the years. We must consider these factors the loss of original writings and man's interpretations and translations through many centuries and cultures in seeking to discern the original intent of God's word.

Why is there so much confusion over the words? Perhaps it was God allowing man's own thoughts to take over man's writing when he strayed from God's guidance. Our confusion should lead us to seek God and His will as we strive to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind, as commanded in the Bible.

We must listen to those who have studied the Bible, both the original Greek and the various interpretations, when seeking an enlightened view. Prophets in days long ago spoke what they believed was God's will; today, God still speaks to us if we listen. God is alive today and seeks to clarify our confusion if we would only learn to know Him and understand His nature and His creation. If the writing and words in the Bible are in fact God's will, they must be interpreted in a language of love, for God is love. We must acknowledge the possibility of error in the words, as they were written, rewritten and translated through the centuries, if they stray from a message of love. We must love and worship God, not worship the words.

Some gay people lack self-worth and dignity because churches and society have repeatedly told them that homosexuality is a sin. Bible verses, as has been discussed in this book, have been the foundation of this label of unworthiness in churches and society. Even though many Bible verses regarding divorce or women speaking in church are looked upon differently today, there has been a failure on the part of churches and society in general to recognize the incorrect translation of verses that purportedly condemn homosexuality.

Sharing one's life openly and proudly should be a right enjoyed by all of humanity. Critics might suggest that I am condoning behaviors such as prostitution, drug use, sexual abuse, or pornography and that they should be shared openly. However, this would be contrary to my belief in the responsibility of goodness in human behavior. One's sexuality, whether heterosexual or homosexual, can be subject to lusts that can lead to inappropriate behaviors. Sexual abuse by priests is inexcusable, as is rape of women by heterosexual men. These sexual sins are not committed by the majority of men. The nature of one's sexuality should be viewed as innately good since God created and formed our sexual identity.