WAS / IS YESHUA OF NAZARETH (JESUS CHRIST) GAY?
Overview:
We recognize that the title to this essay will be seen by many readers as rather inflammatory. Australian educator, Michael Kelly wrote: "The question is, apparently, provocative....even asking the question is sacrilege, blasphemy, a vilification of Christianity, and a mockery of people's deepest beliefs." 1 Many Christians find it difficult to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus having been sexually active. The thoughts that he might have been gay are even more difficult to handle.
There is nothing in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) which specifically identifies Jesus' sexual orientation. The Bible does not say clearly whether Jesus had a heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual orientation. It is silent on whether Jesus was celibate or sexually active; single or married. 2 However, a few theologians have asserted that Jesus had, and presumably still has, a homosexual orientation.
As is our custom, we explain all sides to the issue.
Nomenclature:
The words "gay" and "homosexual" are difficult to use without causing confusion, because they have multiple meanings:
Many religious conservatives define them in terms of behavior. Homosexuality is what a person does. A homosexual is a person who engages in sexual activities with persons of the same sex.
Many religious liberals, Roman Catholics, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, religious mainliners, mental health professionals and human sexuality researchers define these words in terms of feelings. Homosexuality is a part of what a person is. A homosexual is a person who has a homosexual orientation. Their self-identification, fantasies and desire for sexual activity is focused on persons of the same sex.
We will use the second definition in this essay, because it is in general use in the medical and scientific communities, and is in growing use among the public.
These two definitions can lead to disputes. They make dialogue essentially impossible between religious conservatives and others. For example:
A person with a bisexual orientation who engaged in sex with person(s) of the same sex and who now has decided to confine their sexual relationship to a person of the opposite sex is considered to be an ex-gay by many conservative Christians. But many others regard the person to be a bisexual whose sexual orientation has not changed. Only their behavior choice has.
A person with a homosexual orientation who was once sexually active and who has decided to remain celibate is also considered an ex-gay by many conservative Christians. But others regard them to be a homosexual whose sexual orientation has not changed. They have simply decided to become sexually inactive.
Indications that Jesus did not have a homosexual orientation:
Since there is no precise statement about Jesus' sexual orientation in the Bible, we can safely start with the assumption that Yeshua/Jesus was a heterosexual. Only about 5% of males have a homosexual orientation -- both in ancient Judea during the 1st century CE, and in North America today. So, without considering any other factors, the chances of Jesus being gay is very slim -- about one in twenty.
The vast majority of Christian theologians have probably never seriously considered the possibility that Jesus was gay. If they were asked their opinion on the question, the vast majority would probably consider him to be heterosexual; many probably assume that he was devoid of erotic or sexual feelings.
On the other hand, there is an often quoted concept that reading the Gospels is like looking down a well. What you see in both cases is a reflection of yourself. Social activists often view Jesus as a social activist. Spiritual people frequently look upon Jesus as spiritual. Heterosexuals see at Jesus as a heterosexual. Homosexuals look upon him as gay, etc.
Jesus was an observant Jew who, according to the Gospels, was often followed by Pharisees and scribes who severely criticized. He was charged with being possessed by Satan. He was accused of being a party animal who consorted with the dregs of society -- prostitutes, tax collectors, etc. Yet there is no record of them accusing him of being gay. In 1st century Judea, same-sex behavior among men was a most serious offense, worthy of the death penalty. If Jesus were gay, and if the Jewish establishment knew of his orientation, they would certainly have used it against him. Yet there is no record in the Gospels of the topic having been mentioned.
On the other hand, the Pharisees may have accused Jesus of being gay. But the story might have never made it into the Gospels. Alternately, the account might have appeared in early writings, but censored in later Gospel drafts.
In Matthew 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12, Jesus supports the concept that God made a man and a woman so that they could marry. He is quoted as saying in both Gospels: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Also, in Matthew 5:17-18, after the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Jesus obviously supported opposite-sex marriage and the Mosaic Law which called for the execution of all male homosexuals. 3
On the other hand, Jesus' support for opposite-sex marriage and the Mosaic law generally gives no insight into his sexual orientation.
There are hints in the New Testament that Jesus had a very close loving relationship with Mary Magdalene which might have included sexually activity. Some theologians believe that the two were married. If Jesus possessed a homosexual orientation, he would have avoided sexual intimacy with all women: The Gospel of John (20:1) states that she was the first person who, alone, visited the cave where Jesus' body was laid. That would have typically been the role of a wife in that society.
John (20:2-10) describes how other followers came to the tomb and left to return home. But Mary stayed. Again this would have been the behavior of a wife.
In John (20:17) Jesus instructed Mary to "Touch me not." Apparently Mary was about to touch his body or at least there was some possibility that she might do so. Again it would have been inconceivable for an man and woman to touch in 1st century Judea, unless they were a married or engaged couple.
There are other indications that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married which we will describe in a future essay. If this is true, then it is very unlikely that he would have been homosexual. He probably would have been heterosexual or bisexual.
Indications that Jesus did have a homosexual orientation:
"In the Gospel of John, the disciple John frequently refers to himself in the third person as "the disciple whom Jesus loved'." 4 For example, during the Last Supper before Jesus' execution, he describes how the "beloved" disciple laid himself on Jesus' inner tunic -- his undergarment. See John 13:25 and 21:20. Robert Goss, assistant professor of comparative religion at Webster University in St. Louis, LA, noted that Jesus and the beloved disciple: "... eat together, side by side. What's being portrayed here is a pederastic relationship between an older man and a younger man. A Greek reader would understand." 5 Jesus appears to have loved all of his male and female followers in a close, trusting, non-erotic manner. However, the "beloved" disciple appears to be in a special relationship with Jesus; the disciple was "the" beloved. He was in a class by himself.
On the other hand: Some commentators have suggested that it was a common practice in Judea at that time for heterosexual man to lay his head on another's undergarment. Such behavior was common between two heterosexuals in an emotionally close but non-erotic relationship during the first century CE. 6
Jenny Stokes, research director for Saltshakers, a conservative Christian group in Australia, said that there are five words for love in Greek (the language in which the Gospels were written: Agape: spiritual, unconditional love,
Eros: erotic love,
Philia: love between friends,
Storge: familial love.
The Gospel references to "the disciple whom Jesus loved" use the word "agape." 3 Whether they originally used "eros" and were subsequently changed is open to speculation.
"Jagannath" interprets the Gospels differently. He argues that Jesus may have been bisexual. He wrote: "In the Book of John a word is used eight times that means 'is in love with' with the implication of sexual intimacy. Five times it is used with reference to Jesus' relationship with John. Once it is used to define Jesus' relationship with Lazarus. And it is also used to describe his relationship with Mary and with her sister Martha." 7
During the crucifixion, in John 19:26-28, Jesus is described as seeing his mother and an unidentified man: "the disciple standing by, whom he loved." Jesus probably loved all of his 12 or 70 disciples in a non-sexual manner. But this particular disciple is identified as "the" disciple who Jesus loved. That might indicate a special intimate relationship with one special disciple.
The late Morton Smith, of Columbia University reported in 1958 that he had found a fragment of a manuscript which at the Mar Saba monastery near Jerusalem. It contained the full text of Mark, chapter 10. Apparently the version that is in the Christian Scriptures is an edited version of the original. Additional verses allegedly formed part of the full version of Mark, and were inserted after verse 34. It discusses how a young man, naked but for a linen covering, expressed his love for Jesus and stayed at his place all night. More details.
"J Richards" suggested that Mark 7:14-16 shows that Jesus approves of homosexual acts. The critical phrase reads: "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him..." Richards suggests that Jesus gave great emphasis to this teaching, directing it to everyone. Richards suggests that the sentence refers to dietary laws and also extends to "blood transfusions, medication, organ transplants, and artificial insemination" and to homosexual acts. 8
On the other hand, these words have historically been interpreted as overturning the Mosaic law about eating,
Rollan McCleary, was awarded his doctorate in 2003-MAY for his work researching the sexual orientation of Jesus and his disciples. He obtained about $33,000 US in funding from the government to finance his degree. He concluded that Jesus and at least three of his disciples were gay. He based this conclusion on excerpts from the Gospel of John and on Jesus' astrological chart based on the approximate year, month, day and place where he was born. Considering that many theologians have concluded that Jesus was born sometime in the Fall, between 4 and 7 BCE, it is difficult to understand how an accurate astrological chart can be prepared. Dr. McCleary told Australian Broadcasting Commission radio that, in the past, "one or two queer theologians" had attempted to show Jesus was gay. "People haven't taken them very seriously because they don't have any evidence and they say things so sensationally that people are not really going to listen or just be very angry. What I'm doing is showing a much more theological and also astrological dimension on all this which will make a lot more sense to people." He has written a book based on his doctoral thesis which does not appear to be available at this time. 9
An anonymous Webmaster wrote about a revelation that he received during her/his daily prayer and meditation: "Suddenly many aspects of the New Testament made sense. Jesus never married. He preached love, tolerance, and forgiveness of sins. He did not condemn and vilify as his so-called followers do today. He surrounded himself with men whom he loved. The Bible says nothing of Jesus' sexuality, yet we are taught that he was both divine and fully man. Why did he never marry? Why is the New Testament silent about his sexuality? It became so clear when I had the insight that Jesus was probably gay and that He understood hatred and bigotry first-hand." 10
Mark 14:51-52 describes the incident when Jesus was arrested by the religious police. It describes how one of Jesus' followers was scantily dressed. The King James Version says he had a linen cloth cast on his naked body; the size and location of the cloth is not defined. The New International Version says that he was "wearing nothing but a linen garment." When the police tried to seize him, they were able to grab only his cloth; the man ran away naked. Reverend Peter Murphy wrote: "We don't know from the sources what really was going on, but we do know that something was very peculiar between Jesus and young men." 11 (Emphasis in the original.)
Michael Kelly wrote of Jesus' attitude towards a same-sex couple as described in Matthew 8:5-13: and Luke 7:2: "One day a Roman Centurion asked him to heal his dying servant. Scholars of both Scripture and Ancient History tell us that Roman Centurions, who were not permitted to marry while in service, regularly chose a favourite male slave to be their personal assistant and sexual servant. Such liaisons were common in the Graeco-Roman world and it was not unusual for them to deepen into loving partnerships....Jesus offered to go to the servant, but the centurion asked him simply to speak a word of healing, since he was not worthy to welcome this itinerant Jewish teacher under his roof. Jesus responded by healing the servant and proclaiming that even in Israel he had never found faith like this! So, in the one Gospel story where Jesus encountered people sharing what we would call a 'gay relationship,' we see him simply concerned about — and deeply moved by — their faith and love." Kelly implies that Jesus' sensitivity towards the gay couple might have arisen from his own bisexual or homosexual orientation. 1
Some commentators argue from silence. They note that there is no passage in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) that directly describes anything about Jesus' sexuality. There are many direct and indirect references to Jesus' sensuality. He was accused of being a "drunkard and a glutton" and of partying with "prostitutes and sinners." He apparently enjoyed a tender foot massage from a woman. Yet, neither Jesus' sexuality nor his celibacy is mentioned. Yet, sex is referred to, elsewhere in the Bible, quite often . One might argue that the books in the Christian Scriptures might have once described Jesus' sexual relationships, but that these passages have been vigorously censored by the later church because they were unconventional.
Other commentators have noted that Jesus is silent towards homosexuality in the Gospels. Yet, Paul's opinions and those of many other authors in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are clearly stated. They conclude that Jesus might have been gay himself. Odler Jeanlouie speculated: "Is it meaningful that, in the Sermon on the Mount, central to his teaching, he offered a one-way trip to the Kingdom of God, to anyone who is persecuted?" 12
Public reactions to the suggestion that Jesus was gay:
Some indications of the anger displayed by Americans on this topic include:
Bomb threats and a promise to "burn the place to the ground" sent to the Manhattan Theatre Club if they included the Terrance McNally play Corpus Christi (the body of Christ) in its 1998 schedule. It portrayed Jesus and his disciples as a group of gays. The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) and the Family Research Council organized a demonstration of over 3,000 Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians to protest the play being shown in New York City. 13 The theatre first cancelled the play, then reinstated it. In 1999-AUG, after being staged in New York City, it completed a run at the Edinburgh Festival. Florida legislators threatened to cut off funding for the Florida Atlantic University if this same play was shown there.
Sheik Omar Bakri Muhammad, judge of the Shari'ah Court of the UK, an Islamic group, issued a death fatwa against Terrence McNally. The fatwah is not enforcable in the UK. However, "If he travels to an Islamic state, then he would risk arrest and execution." 14
The protests have continued. A Roman Catholic group, America Needs Fatima, a subgroup of TFP has distributed hundreds of signed, preprinted postcards which protest the proposed 2004-MAR production of "Corpus Christi," in Madison, WI. The group had previously been successful in having the play canceled at a community college in Grand Rapids, MI. 15
Over a million people wrote protest letters from 1984 to the end of 1985 against a non existent gay Jesus film. It was believed to have portrayed Jesus as a bisexual who had an affair with Mary Magdalene. By late 1984, the office of the Attorney general of Illinois was receiving about 1,000 protest letters a week. The movie was a hoax -- a Christian urban legend. No trace of it was ever found. 16
On the other hand, a survey conducted by Talk Radio in London, UK, on 1997-DEC-14 found that:
51% said that revelations of Jesus being a homosexual would not affect their religious belief.
49% said it would. 17
References:
Michael B. Kelly, "Could Jesus Have Been Gay?," at: http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Peter Tatchell, "Was Jesus Gay?," at: http://www.petertatchell.net/George Broadhead, "Jesus and Homosexuality," Gay and Lesbian Humanist quarterly, at: http://www.galha.freeserve.co.uk/Patrick Goodenough, " 'Gay Jesus' Claim Draws Fire," Crosswalk.com, 2003-MAY-29, at: http://www.crosswalk.com/Hank Hyena, "Was Jesus Gay: A search for the messiah's true sexuality leads to a snare of lusty theories," 1998-APR, Salon.com, at: http://www.salon.com/James Holding, "Leaning on a broken reed," Tektonics Apologetics Ministries, at: http://www.tektonics.org/Jagannath, "Was Jesus Gay? Or: Can We Finally Let Him Out of the Closet?," at: http://www.geocities.com/J Richards, "Jesus Speaks of Homosexual Acts," Rainbow Alliance, at: http://rainbowallianceopenfaith.homestead.com/"Jesus was gay, says academic," smh.com.au, 2003-MAY-29, at: http://www.smh.com.au/"Was Jesus gay?," at: http://www.angelfire.com/ct/gayjesus/Reverend Peter Murphy, "The Sexuality of Jesus?," at: http://kspark.kaist.ac.kr/Odler Robert Jeanlouie, "Was Jesus Gay?," 2001-JUL-19 at: http://www.readnrun.com/Bruce Sullivan, "3,000 Protest Gay Jesus Play," Conservative News Service, 1998-SEP-29, at: http://www.conservativenews.org/"UK Fatwa for 'gay Jesus' writer," BBC News, 1999-OCT-29, at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/Jacob Stockinger, "Group protests gay Jesus play," The Capital Times, Madison, WI, 2003-SEP-23, at: http://www.madison.com/"Jesus will be portrayed as a homosexual in an upcoming film: False," http://www.snopes.com/
"Was Jesus gay?, Missing Fragments from St. Mark's Gospel," OutRage!, 1998-FEB-27, at: http://outrage.nabumedia.com/
Books about this topic:
Rollan McCleary, "Signs for a Messiah." The book does not seem to be available. It is not listed by either Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Theodore W. Jennings, Jr., "The Man Jesus Loved: Homoerotic Narratives from the New Testament," The Pilgrim Press, (2003-MAY). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
Morton Smith, "The Secret Gospel: The Discovery and Interpretation of the Secret Gospel according to Mark," Harper & Row, (1973). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
Copyright © 2003 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 2003-SEP-24
Latest update: 2003-SEP-25
Author: B.A. Robinson
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