You
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Originally Posted by Mr5150
I can think of a few other things Jesus never talked about. Slavery, genocide, sexism. I could go on.
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It's fairly obvious you are another biblically illiterate fundamentalist (as I once was).
Would you give us chapter and verse as to how Jesus wants us all to own an AK-47?
Everything is good or bad, black or white, right or wrong in two dimensional fundie minds---unless one of their own is involved, then they make excuses for strike one whereas they call "out" anybody not in their cult.
There has been a growth in morality for most people since the OT laws. A few like yourself remain in the past. Consider Paul as a violator of biblical teaching concerning slavery. From the website RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE:
While in prison, Paul met a runaway slave, Onesimus, the property of a Christian -- presumably Philemon. He sent the slave back to his owner. This action is forbidden in Deuteronomy 23:15-16:
"Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee."
"He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him."
Rather than give the slave sanctuary, Paul returned him to his owner. Paul seems to hint that he would like Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom, but does not actually request it.
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Bad, bad Paul, disobeying an edict of the OT.
Jesus spoke to women first--a violation of Jewish cultural codes---and when a disciple criticized a woman for caring for Jesus---she was in a room full of men---Jesus rebuked His disciple.
Killing of any kind Jesus rejected--even to protect the innocent. Consider Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane who drew a sword to defend the most innocent of all--Jesus, who rebuked Him for so doing and healed the High Priest's servant. Logical people would consider that rejection of genocide---but then one must be logical in order to reach that conclusion---which The Society of Friends certainly is.
Jesus healed the boy servant of a centurion who most likely wasn't gay, but used the boy for sexual gratification. If you actually studied the culture existing around that day you would know that the emperor refused Roman soldiers the right to marry, but looked the other way regarding male "attendants."
The story is told in both Matthew and Luke. The Greek terminology referring to the young slave is "pais" which could mean boy, or servant, or a particular kind of servant who provided sexual favors for his Master.
When referring to other slaves Luke has used the word doulos, or slaves, but when referring to this young man he has the servant use the term entimos doulos---precious slave. Matthew makes it more clear by referring to his other slaves as "doulos" but retains "pais" for his special slave.
You can read more about the etymology of the word at
Would Jesus Discriminate?
Personally, I think the centurion wasn't gay anymore than I think most men in our prison system was gay. But a Roman soldier in a land where Romans were generally hated was unlikely to obtain female companionship, so he did what he felt he needed to do to satisfy his physical urges---he bought a pais.
This is not the ONLY way to view those verses, but there is enough ambiguity to see it either way. Further, Jesus neither rejected an unbeliever's request, nor condemned him as an illegal alien. And it is the only situation in the gospels where Jesus is presented with a request to help someone other than self or family of self.
I like to see Jesus at His best in helping those despised by others.
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