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M*W: Homosexuality has been around as long as humans have existed. It is found in the earliest of cultures throughout the world and was, therefore, socially accepted in these cultures. Interestingly, homosexuality was not considered to be "sex." "Sex" was used only for procreation. Homosexuality was considered to be more of an acceptable social activity. Homosexuality is believed to have developed out of the ancient patriarchy who as early as 8,000 BCE began erecting towers to be worshipped as phallic symbols.
Although homosexuality continued to thrive in most cultures, the growth of christianity began to condemn it. The Inquisition set out to destroy anyone who might have practiced homosexuality, while the very church fathers continued to practice homosexuality behind the doors of The Vatican even before celibacy was the rule of the day. Anthropologically speaking, as in earlier cultures, homosexuality wasn't considered to be "sexual" activity, therefore, it wasn't sinful among the fraternity of the church... so it continued for millenia.
In the early 1600s, King James set out to translate the bible. Now it's known as an scholarly fact that King James was one of the most hedonist homosexuals of history!
References:
King James and the History of Homosexuality, by Michael B. Young.
http://hometown.aol.com/GraceEACA/chapter2.html
M*W: Homosexuality has been around as long as humans have existed. It is found in the earliest of cultures throughout the world and was, therefore, socially accepted in these cultures. Interestingly, homosexuality was not considered to be "sex." "Sex" was used only for procreation. Homosexuality was considered to be more of an acceptable social activity. Homosexuality is believed to have developed out of the ancient patriarchy who as early as 8,000 BCE began erecting towers to be worshipped as phallic symbols.
Although homosexuality continued to thrive in most cultures, the growth of christianity began to condemn it. The Inquisition set out to destroy anyone who might have practiced homosexuality, while the very church fathers continued to practice homosexuality behind the doors of The Vatican even before celibacy was the rule of the day. Anthropologically speaking, as in earlier cultures, homosexuality wasn't considered to be "sexual" activity, therefore, it wasn't sinful among the fraternity of the church... so it continued for millenia.
In the early 1600s, King James set out to translate the bible. Now it's known as an scholarly fact that King James was one of the most hedonist homosexuals of history!
References:
King James and the History of Homosexuality, by Michael B. Young.
http://hometown.aol.com/GraceEACA/chapter2.html