According to Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:19-20 all lending with interest is prohibited. Thus, no banking system and no capitalism.
Genesis 1:29 prescribes a plant-based diet for humans.
The Hypocrisy of Old Testament Homophobic Bigotry
In contemporary society, discussions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly homosexuality, frequently find themselves intersecting with religious beliefs. Many individuals who oppose homosexuality often reference the Old Testament, citing its passages as divine prohibitions against same-sex relationships. One of the most commonly invoked scriptures is Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” However, a closer inspection of the Old Testament reveals not only the complexity of its moral instructions but also the inconsistency with which its laws are applied by modern critics of homosexuality. By selectively quoting certain passages while ignoring others, these critics fail to acknowledge the broader context and evolving understanding of biblical texts. To fully appreciate the absurdity of using the Old Testament to justify discrimination against homosexuality, it is essential to examine both the selective nature of this argument and the numerous other prohibitions that, by the same logic, would demand equal enforcement.
First and foremost, the Old Testament, particularly the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, was written in a specific historical, cultural, and religious context. These texts contain hundreds of laws and instructions intended for the Israelites, a nomadic and agrarian society living thousands of years ago in the Near East. These laws were primarily designed to regulate their daily lives, social interactions, and religious practices in ways that were conducive to their survival as a distinct people. Given the time and place of their composition, many of these laws reflect the customs, beliefs, and challenges of ancient society, and they cannot be directly translated to the complexities of modern life.
Leviticus, from which much of the opposition to homosexuality is derived, is part of the Holiness Code, a section of the Old Testament concerned with ritual purity and religious practices. In this same section, we find prohibitions against a range of behaviours that today are largely ignored. For instance, Leviticus 19:19 states, “You shall not wear a garment made of two kinds of material.” This is a law against wearing clothes made of mixed fabrics, a rule that no modern Christian, Jewish, or Muslim adherent strictly enforces. Similarly, Leviticus 11 outlines extensive dietary laws, forbidding the consumption of shellfish, pork, and certain birds. These prohibitions are based on ritual cleanliness, yet those who eat bacon or shrimp do not face the same level of societal condemnation as LGBTQ+ individuals, despite these acts being classified as equally abominable according to the same texts.
Moreover, Leviticus 19:27 prohibits cutting the hair at the sides of one’s head or trimming one’s beard, and Leviticus 19:28 forbids tattooing or making marks on the skin. If adherence to the letter of the Old Testament law were truly a moral imperative for opponents of homosexuality, it would logically follow that they would also campaign against mixed-fibre clothing, haircuts, tattoos, and the consumption of a vast array of common foods. Yet, these practices are often disregarded as irrelevant or outdated, illustrating the selectiveness with which certain Old Testament passages are used to condemn specific behaviours. The question arises: why is homosexuality singled out as a particularly egregious sin while other commandments are dismissed as no longer applicable?
It is important to recognise that the Old Testament’s laws were not all moral imperatives meant for all people for all time. Many of them were ritualistic and ceremonial, designed to set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations. They were a response to the socio-political needs of the time, such as dietary restrictions to avoid foodborne illness or dress codes to signify cultural identity. These laws served a purpose within their ancient context, but modern society has long since moved beyond the conditions that necessitated such rules. Furthermore, many Christian denominations explicitly teach that with the coming of Jesus and the establishment of the New Covenant, Christians are no longer bound by the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.
Jesus himself, in the New Testament, is noticeably silent on the issue of homosexuality. He speaks frequently about love, compassion, and the dangers of judgement, but nowhere in the Gospels does he explicitly condemn same-sex relationships. On the contrary, Jesus challenges the rigid legalism of the religious authorities of his time, urging his followers to focus on the deeper principles of love and justice rather than strict adherence to every letter of the law. In Matthew 22:37-40, when asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” If love is the guiding principle of Christian morality, then using the Old Testament to marginalise or harm LGBTQ+ individuals seems profoundly antithetical to the teachings of Christ.
Additionally, one cannot overlook the fact that the Bible, like all religious texts, is a product of its time and has been interpreted and reinterpreted over millennia. When the Bible was written, the concept of sexual orientation as we understand it today did not exist. Homosexuality, as a stable and recognised identity, is a relatively modern idea. In the ancient world, sexual relations were often understood in terms of dominance and submission, rather than as expressions of romantic love or personal identity. The Bible’s references to same-sex acts, therefore, must be understood in the context of ancient cultures, where such acts were often associated with practices that today would be considered exploitative or abusive, such as temple prostitution or the subjugation of conquered peoples.
To further highlight the absurdity of using the Old Testament as a tool for discriminating against LGBTQ+ people, let us consider some of the other laws contained within its pages. Deuteronomy 22:11 forbids the wearing of clothes made of wool and linen woven together, another law that is ignored today. Deuteronomy 22:12 commands that tassels be attached to the four corners of one’s cloak, a practice few modern individuals adhere to. Even more extreme are the punishments prescribed for certain behaviours. Leviticus 20:9 states that anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death. Likewise, Leviticus 20:10 mandates the death penalty for adultery. It is worth noting that these are the same chapters used to condemn homosexuality, yet the punishments for other transgressions, such as cursing one’s parents or committing adultery, are not enforced by modern believers who claim to follow biblical law.
Moreover, the Old Testament prescribes other harsh penalties that are entirely out of step with contemporary ethical standards. For example, Exodus 21:17 permits slavery and gives instructions on how to treat slaves, including the right to beat them. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 dictates that if a man rapes a virgin, he must pay her father fifty shekels of silver and marry her. These archaic and abhorrent laws are clear indications that not every Old Testament command should be viewed as a moral guide for modern society. Yet, by cherry-picking verses, those who oppose homosexuality attempt to lend their prejudices an air of divine authority, while conveniently ignoring the ethical contradictions inherent in their selective approach.
The inconsistency of this position becomes even more apparent when we consider how modern interpretations of scripture have evolved in other areas. For centuries, the Bible was used to justify slavery, with proponents pointing to passages in both the Old and New Testaments that appear to endorse the practice. Yet, over time, Christians came to reject slavery as fundamentally incompatible with the broader moral teachings of the Bible, particularly the message of love and equality found in the New Testament. Similarly, many biblical passages have been used to justify the subordination of women, but most contemporary Christians now reject the notion that women should be treated as second-class citizens, recognising that gender equality is a vital expression of the Bible’s overarching principles of justice and love.
It is worth noting that there are countless aspects of modern life that are not explicitly addressed in the Bible, and yet we do not assume that they are therefore prohibited. The Bible does not mention electricity, automobiles, or the internet, yet no one argues that these things are sinful simply because they are not referenced in scripture. Likewise, the Bible does not provide a detailed guide for modern medical practices, space exploration, or globalisation. We understand that the Bible, while an important spiritual and moral guide for many, is not a literal handbook for every aspect of modern life. To rigidly adhere to its ancient laws while ignoring the context in which they were written is both intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt.
In light of all this, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify the use of the Old Testament as a weapon against LGBTQ+ individuals. To claim that the Bible, for example, unequivocally condemns homosexuality requires a selective reading of scripture, one that ignores both the historical context of the laws and the many other prohibitions that have long since been discarded as irrelevant. Furthermore, it overlooks the broader message of the Bible and many other religious texts, particularly the New Testament’s emphasis on love, compassion, and justice. If Christians are to take seriously the teachings of Jesus, they must reject legalism and embrace a more inclusive, loving approach to their fellow human beings, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Ultimately, the use of the Old Testament to justify discrimination against homosexuality is not only inconsistent but also deeply harmful. It perpetuates prejudice and bigotry under the guise of religious faith, when in reality, such attitudes are at odds with the core message of the Bible. The Bible, when read holistically and with an understanding of its historical context, calls for love, justice, and equality – values that are fundamentally incompatible with the exclusion and marginalisation of LGBTQ+ individuals.
If we are to move towards a more just and compassionate society, we must be willing to challenge the selective use of scripture and recognise the absurdity of holding onto certain ancient laws while ignoring others. It is time to abandon outdated interpretations of the Bible that perpetuate discrimination and instead embrace the message of love and acceptance that lies at the heart of many faith systems. To do anything less is to betray the very values that the religious texts seek to promote.
Acquainting oneself with the Old Testament
The following are taken from the Old Testament and are prohibited:
- Mixed Fabrics: Leviticus 19:19 prohibits wearing clothes made of two different materials (e.g., cotton and polyester), yet this law is not followed by modern critics of homosexuality.
- Dietary Laws: Leviticus 11 forbids eating pork and shellfish, but most people who oppose homosexuality have no issue eating these foods.
- Haircuts: Leviticus 19:27 forbids cutting the hair at the sides of your head or trimming your beard, but this is a common practice today.
- Tattoos: Leviticus 19:28 prohibits tattoos, yet people who have tattoos are not condemned in the same way as those who are LGBTQ+.
- Touching Dead Animals: Leviticus 11:8 says touching the carcass of a pig is unclean, yet modern sports like American football, which uses pigskin, are not condemned.
- Menstruating Women: Leviticus 15:19-24 commands that women on their periods be considered unclean and anyone who touches them or sits where they sat must also be considered unclean. This law is ignored today.
- Clothing Tassels: Deuteronomy 22:12 commands the use of tassels on four corners of one’s cloak, a practice not observed by modern Christians.
- Adultery: Leviticus 20:10 prescribes the death penalty for adultery, but modern Christians do not enforce this, even though adultery is common.
- Cursing Parents: Leviticus 20:9 mandates the death penalty for children who curse their parents, yet such punishment is not advocated today.
- Working on the Sabbath: Exodus 31:14-15 says anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death, yet modern society does not adhere to this.
- Planting Mixed Seeds: Leviticus 19:19 forbids planting two kinds of seed in the same field, a rule ignored in contemporary agriculture.
- Slavery: Exodus 21:2-6 and Leviticus 25:44-46 allow slavery, which is universally rejected today, even by those who invoke the Bible against homosexuality.
- Owning Foreign Slaves: Leviticus 25:44-46 allows Israelites to purchase foreigners as slaves, but this is morally unacceptable today.
- Rape Victims: Deuteronomy 22:28-29 says a man who rapes a virgin must marry her and pay her father compensation, a law not followed in modern legal systems.
- Polygamy: Old Testament figures like Abraham, Jacob, and David practiced polygamy, yet opponents of homosexuality claim biblical marriage is solely between one man and one woman.
- Shellfish: Leviticus 11:10-12 prohibits eating shellfish, but this dietary law is ignored by those who use Leviticus to condemn homosexuality.
- Mixed Marriages: Deuteronomy 7:3 prohibits intermarriage between Israelites and other nations, a rule that is ignored today in most societies.
- Sex During Menstruation: Leviticus 18:19 forbids sex during a woman’s menstrual period, but this is not a significant concern for modern Christians.
- No Pork: Leviticus 11:7-8 forbids eating pork, yet bacon and pork products are widely consumed, without condemnation from Christians opposed to homosexuality.
- No Lending With Interest: Exodus 22:25 and Deuteronomy 23:19-20 forbid charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites, but lending with interest is common practice today.
- Beards: Leviticus 19:27 forbids trimming beards, yet many modern men trim or shave their beards without facing religious criticism.
- Fortune-Telling: Leviticus 19:26 forbids fortune-telling and soothsaying, yet opponents of homosexuality do not campaign against modern forms of fortune-telling like astrology.
- No Gold or Jewellery: 1 Timothy 2:9 (New Testament) advises against wearing gold, pearls, or costly attire, yet this is ignored by Christians who still wear expensive jewellery while condemning homosexuality.
- Plant-Based Diet: Genesis 1:29 prescribes a plant-based diet for humans, yet meat consumption is common among modern Christians.
- Divorce: Malachi 2:16 says God hates divorce, yet divorce is widely accepted and practiced even among those who oppose LGBTQ+ rights.
- Women’s Silence in Church: 1 Corinthians 14:34 (New Testament) says women should remain silent in churches, yet women regularly participate in church services without condemnation.
- Mixed Breeding of Animals: Leviticus 19:19 forbids the crossbreeding of different animals, but this practice is common in modern farming.
- No Cross-Dressing: Deuteronomy 22:5 prohibits wearing clothes of the opposite gender, but clothing norms have evolved, and this law is not strictly observed today.
- No Long Hair for Men: 1 Corinthians 11:14 says long hair on men is disgraceful, yet long hairstyles for men are commonly accepted.
- Fasting Rituals: Matthew 6:16 (New Testament) cautions against public displays of fasting, yet modern religious practices often include visible acts of piety, like public prayer, without criticism.
These contradictions reveal how inconsistently Old Testament laws are applied, highlighting the selective use of scripture to target homosexuality while ignoring many other biblical prohibitions. If you pick ‘n’ mix, you are doomed.
Capitalism is Prohibited
The Old Testament is at odds with core principles of capitalism, particularly its emphasis on profit, individual accumulation of wealth, and free-market competition.
1. Prohibition of Interest (Usury)
In a capitalist economy, lending with interest is a foundational practice. However, the Old Testament explicitly prohibits charging interest, particularly among Israelites:
- Exodus 22:25: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”
- Leviticus 25:36-37: “Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit.”
- Deuteronomy 23:19-20: “Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.”
Charging interest is a cornerstone of capitalist banking and finance systems, but these biblical passages reject such practices, especially within the community, emphasising fairness and mutual care over profit-making.
2. Jubilee Year: Redistributing Wealth
One of the most anti-capitalist aspects of the Old Testament is the concept of the Jubilee Year. Every 50 years, land, the primary source of wealth in ancient times, was to be returned to its original owners, effectively preventing the accumulation of wealth in a few hands:
- Leviticus 25:10-13: “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan. The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines.”
In a capitalist system, wealth is accrued over time through ownership, but the Jubilee Year functioned as a reset, redistributing wealth and property, and limiting the accumulation of capital. This goes against the principle of indefinite private property ownership and inheritance central to capitalism.
3. Sabbath Year: A Break from Productivity
Every seven years, Israelites were commanded to allow the land to rest, ceasing agricultural activity. This is known as the Sabbath Year:
- Leviticus 25:4: “In the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.”
This law contrasts with the capitalist drive for continuous productivity and profit. In capitalism, land and labour are exploited continuously for economic gain. The Sabbath Year, however, prioritises rest and sustainability over profit, preventing overexploitation of resources.
4. Care for the Poor: Mandated Charity
The Old Testament has many laws aimed at protecting the poor, which often require wealthier individuals to give up part of their wealth. For example:
- Deuteronomy 15:7-8: “If there is a poor man among your brothers…you shall not harden your heart or close your hand against your poor brother, but you shall freely open your hand to him and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need.”
- Leviticus 19:9-10: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest…Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner.”
These laws promote wealth redistribution and generosity as a moral obligation, not voluntary charity, making them incompatible with the idea in capitalism that wealth is a reward for individual effort. Instead, the emphasis is on communal responsibility and support for the vulnerable.
5. Limits on Excessive Wealth
The Old Testament repeatedly warns against the dangers of wealth accumulation, which can lead to exploitation and inequality:
- Deuteronomy 17:17: Instructs kings not to accumulate excessive silver or gold, indicating that large concentrations of wealth are seen as problematic.
- Amos 8:4-6: Criticizes those who oppress the poor and hoard wealth, warning that God will punish those who exploit others for profit.
This contrasts sharply with capitalism, where wealth accumulation is not only accepted but encouraged as a measure of success.
6. Community-Oriented Economic Model
The Old Testament promotes an economy based on community and solidarity rather than individualistic competition. Property and wealth were viewed as blessings from God, meant to serve the entire community:
- Acts 4:32 (in the New Testament, reflecting Old Testament values): “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.”
This stands in opposition to capitalism’s focus on private ownership and the idea that wealth belongs solely to the individual who earns it.
7. Prohibition of Exploiting Workers
Exploitation of labour for profit, a feature often associated with capitalism, is condemned in the Old Testament:
- Deuteronomy 24:14-15: “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner…Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it.”
The Bible… emphasises fair treatment of workers and timely payment, which contrasts with exploitative practices like underpaying or delaying wages to increase profits.
8. Opposition to Greed and Unchecked Wealth
Greed and the hoarding of wealth are strongly criticised throughout the Old Testament:
- Proverbs 28:8: “Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.”
- Isaiah 5:8: “Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land.”
These passages criticise those who accumulate wealth at the expense of others, warning against the dangers of excessive greed, which is a driving force in capitalist economies.
Biblical Economics and Capitalism
The Old Testament’s economic vision revolves around communal responsibility, care for the poor, and limiting the accumulation of wealth. Concepts like the Jubilee, prohibitions on charging interest, and laws promoting wealth redistribution suggest that the Old Testament supports a more egalitarian, community-based economy rather than one driven by profit and individual gain. These values challenge core aspects of capitalism, particularly the emphasis on unrestricted accumulation of wealth, competition, and the prioritisation of private ownership over communal welfare.
Oh and do not forget to stop eating animals or exploiting them in any way.
Therefore, next time one quotes the Bible… to denounce homosexuality; ensure one has given away all of their possessions first and become vegan.
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