Hello JT,
It seems like this thread is getting off to a slow start.
As a Christian I will reply as to my understanding of the scriptures. First and foremost, the laws and commandments of God are made to help man. They are not made for a hinderance to trap man or bring condemnation to him.
Modern translations of the Bible into English make it clear as day that engaging in homosexual behavior is sin.
Yes, actually virtually any translation makes this clear. But so what? The Bible also clearly defines heterosexual behavior as sinful. In fact, there are significantly more verses addressing heterosexual sin than there are homosexual sin. The point is that there is only one sexual activity that is blessed, and that is sexual activity between one man and one woman within a marriage relationship. All other heterosexual and homosexual activity is condemned.
But some people say that these translations are not accurate, and that the original phrasing in Greek and Hebrew only condemns gay rape, prostitution, temple rites, etc. From this viewpoint, the Bible is silent on the issue of same-gendered marriage.
Yes many people say alot of things about the Bible. However the scripture is not silent on marriage. Marriage has had a definition in every known cultural language including the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic of the Bible. Many passages address marriage, and they are excusively related to a relationship between a man and a woman as is the definition.
Is it valid historical, linguistic, and cultural scholarship to interpret the Bible in this way? Or is it needlessly complicated hand-waving that explains away a valuable teaching and shoehorns human reasoning into scripture?
I think it is the second statement. There is an intrinsic value in marriage that cannot be achieved naturally in a homosexual relationship. (multiply and fill the earth) God makes man aware of that value over and over again in scripture. There are also diseases associated with all types of sexual activity outside of a mariage relationship. Again, God's laws are for the good of man.
Gay marriage is not something new. Reference to this concept occurs within the Roman Empire before 100AD. However, the Romans got the concept from the Greeks long before, and it was probably practiced during those times as well. It is interesting to note that the most often quoted New Testament passage against homosexuality is in the book of Romans.