cultural relativism
Submitted by F.O.D. on May 09 1999 at 17:25:20
In reply to Re: are you very sure? Submitted by borg on May 09 1999 at 16:44:05
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Hi again Borg, yes there are certainly some differences culturally in the amount of "normal" affection shown between males. For instance in the news reports of Middle Eastern leaders you'll often see them kissing each other on the cheek in formal greeting. Likewise Peter exhorts his readers to "greet one another with a kiss of love" 1 Pet 5:14. Today it's translated "greet one another with a holy handshake". But I'm certain, as I said, that D's and J goes beyond simple friendship. I think it's the verse in 2 Sam that clinches it for me "your love for me was better than that of women"...and this was after David had won a handful of wives, including his mad infatuation with Jonathan's sister in 1 Sam 18. If their love was not "homosexual", then I prefer to describe it as at least "homophilic", expressing the depth of the emotional bond between them Leaving sex aside, I think we have a lot to learn from their friendship, namely, that it is perfectly good for two males to be in an emotionally powerful relationship, one where they are able to express their love for each other through hugs and kisses. I think this provides an example for same-gender attracted (homosexual) people to follow in learning to work out their attractions in a godly way. We have every right to reject our a-affectionate culture, and demand it to be replaced by one more full of affection and love. BTW, F.O.D. means "Friend of Dave's", referring to these two. David was most likely a teen when they first met, and Jonathan and adult, which makes their friendship a boylove relationship. Love, F.O.D. |