Today, many people throughout the United States have been taught by their family and/or religion to be open-minded, and accepting, with the capacity for empathy and understanding. With that background, some never have any difficulty accepting homosexuals for who they are- human beings born with a different sexual orientation than most. The difficulty has been in understanding the view of those who use the Bible to condemn homosexuals. Some uninformed personalities can be found rattling off Bible verses calling homosexuality an abomination and calling for the death of all homosexuals. Thus these verses often confuse many who hold the opposite opinion regarding homosexuals. The Catholic Church now supports the notion that homosexuality is an inborn trait, just as heterosexuality is. Thus hearing people use the Bible to condemn homosexuals doesn't make sense, because the loving God that many believe in, would not create people a certain way and then condemn them for being that way.
In the literature found on the subject, there seem to be six main bible passages that are utilized by many to condemn homosexuality. The first of these is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:26-19:29. This passage is probably the most famous instance in scripture where homosexuality seems to be condemned. In fact, it was in this story that the word "sodomy" was coined. The story begins with two angels arriving in Sodom and being invited into Lot's home as guests for the night: "But, before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man surrounded the house; and they called to Lot, ?Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may ...