August 29, 2012Dear Sir,At a recent public meeting, Ms Sylvia Hayward-Harris commented on the biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah as follows: “The whole of the city’s men came to grab them ... If it was because of homosexuality, Lot would not have offered his virgin daughters. Clearly they were heterosexual.” She also stated that the long-held view that these cities were destroyed because of homosexuality was “absolutely untrue”. Ms Hayward challenged the public to read what the Bible says on this topic.The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is found at Genesis 19:1-29. A reading of verses 4-8 show that Ms Hayward-Harris has misled the public. The men of the city did not come to Lot’s door to “grab” the two male visitors. They demanded that these men be brought out “that we may know them.” In exchange for their “wicked” demand, Lot offered his two daughters who “had not known man” for them to do with as they pleased, begging them “only unto these men do nothing”. Those who read the Bible (see Genesis 4:1) understand that in this context, the verb “to know” means to have sexual intercourse.I would like to bring to the public’s attention what the Bible actually says about homosexuality. Leviticus 18:22 states: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination.” Read also Leviticus 20:13.Romans 1:26-27 tells us: “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections, for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men, working that which is unseemly [shameful]...”I have personally heard numerous confessions from men and women explaining how they as innocent boys and girls, were sexually abused by older homosexuals and lesbians who enticed, seduced and raped them. Many of these children were left confused about their sexual identity and damaged for life and, in some cases, were recruited into that lifestyle. This shows that this is a learned behaviour rather than a “sexual orientation” from birth.WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYSHamilton Parish