Thou Shalt Not Love: What Evangelicals Really Say to Gays by Patrick M. Chapman, Daniel A. Helminiak (Foreword by)

The truth will set you free, and this is loaded with truth!by blackcoatclay

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December 12, 2008: This book will initially challenge the beliefs of those who believe in a word-for-word literal, inerrant Bible. But for the reader willing to continue reading, Dr. Chapman's truths -- meticulously culled from psychology, sociology, history, Bible translation, archaelogy, and anthropology -- will help to make sense of of the "loose ends" of Christian theology.

And for those who don't understand how a loving God could create--and then despise--gays, it holds profound, and defensible, good news! Dr. Chapman responds item-by-item to scripture references commonly used to condemn homosexuals. Further, he responds to the direct criticisms made by leading evangelicals, and exposes their flawed, inconsistent logic, and misinformation.

Chapman's greatest new contribution to the pro-homosexual argument is the critical perspective of an anthropologist. He incorporates an understanding of science, archaeology, and anthropology into understanding Biblical cultures. He also sheds light on our own cultural biases which are too often read into scripture.

"Thou Shalt Not Love" is good news, and good science, for thinking Christians and gays.

I Also Recommend: Scandalous Gospel of Jesus, The Way We Never Were, Stealing Jesus.

The most thorough examination the societal debate on homosexuality I've seen.by NickRyder

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October 22, 2008: Chapman, a PhD anthropologist who spent over a decade trying to change his sexual orientation for religious reasons, has written a thoroughly engaging book that convincingly rebuts what Evangelicals say about homosexuality.

In the first chapter Chapman explains his Evangelical background and what it was like to grow up gay. Chapter 2 takes us into the mindset of Evangelicals: what they believe regarding Christianity and homosexuality.

Chapter 3 is about the evolution-creation debate. At first this seems out of place in a book on homosexuality. However, as Chapman points out, Evangelical opposition to homosexuality is directly connected to their opposition to evolution, because their ideas of marriage and sexuality are based on a literal Adam and Eve: "it's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve".

Chapters 4 and 5 discuss the cultural context of ancient Israel and the Mediterranean and what the Bible does and does not say about homosexuality. The anthropological perspective shows through here, as does the important research of biblical scholars.

Chapter 6 summarizes the scientific research on what causes homosexuality, contrasting it with the debunked theories put forth by Evangelicals. Chapter 7 is an anthropological look at how homosexuality is expressed around the world, highlighting that opposition to homosexuality is not universal among Christians. It also looks at whether a person can change his or her sexual orientation. The latter seemed out of place in this chapter on anthropology, but it seems to be placed here because the anthropological examples demonstrate why the Evangelical explanations for homosexuality are without validity.

Chapter 8 focuses on the same-sex marriage debate, once again drawing heavily from anthropology. It also highlights the lack of knowledge and accuracy of those who are anti-gay marriage. Chapman spends a great deal of time addressing the specific arguments of those opposed to gay marriage, and does so in a way that demonstrates their arguments have no merit. Chapter 9 examines the so-called "gay agenda". Once again Chapman quotes and carefully addresses the arguments of Evangelical leaders - who sometimes appear intentionally deceptive in what they say.

The last chapter briefly discusses how Christians in the more traditional Protestant denominations view homosexuality.

Daniel Helminiak, author of "What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality", states in the well-written foreword "this book is a tour de force of evidence, reason, and cogent argument." Importantly, as presented on the back cover, this book has even been endorsed by at least one prominent Evangelical leader - Tony Campolo.

This book is a must for those interested in the topic and especially for young gays and their families, whether or not they are religious.