When Corinne and I fell in love and decided to become a couple, one of her friends, supposedly a good christian, tapped his foot against the wall of Corinne’s office as if shaking the dust from his shoes.  This was done to represent his disapproval of our relationship.  In essence he was saying to us, “Since you choose to travel down the path of homosexuality, I want nothing more to do with you…I give up on you…I wash my hands of you…I turn my back on you.  I will not accept, receive or welcome you.”

Corinne and I both were raised in conservative christian homes so when her friend, lets call him “Jeff,” did this, we understood it to be in reference to Sodom and Gomorrah.  Supposedly Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by fire and brimstone because of the sin of homosexuality.  The Bible, however, is clear in many passages, that the underlying sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was  pride and greed.  Now, I know some of my christian friends and family will brand me a heretic for saying this, but what does it matter…they’ve already branded me a reprobate doomed to hell.  Why not throw a little heresy into the mix…it can’t hurt if I’m already doomed. (Which I am not)

If you go back to the story of Sodom and Gomorrah you see that it is basically about two angels who go there to warn the righteous of God’s eminent destruction of the cities.  As they entered the city gate they were approached by a man named Lot, who without haste pleaded with them to stay the night in his home; however they refused his offer and stated they would sleep in the city square.  Lot wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Why, you may ask, was Lot so persistent?

Was he just a all-around good guy?  Not really.

Did he love entertaining?  There’s no record to prove that true.

Perhaps he was looking for husbands for his daughters?  Not likely…he didn’t even like his daughters.  They were mere property thus expendable, as you will see later in the story.

No, it was none of these admirable reasons for Lot’s persistence.  Lot was a aware of the evil, violence and immorality that ran rampant within Sodom and Gomorrah’s darkened streets, and it was for this reason “he pressed upon them greatly” to stay with him. (Genesis 19:3, KJV)

As the story continues to unfold into the night, we are told “the men of the city…compassed the house, both young and old, ALL the people from every quarter.”   And so this mass of men, even the young boys, beat upon Lot’s door demanding to have sex with the two men.

I firmly believe Lot knew this would happen and so he previously formed a back up plan with the hope it would appease the violent mob.  His plan?  Lot offers his two virgin daughters saying, “I have two daughters who have never slept with a man before. I will give my daughters to you. You can do anything you want with them.” (Genesis 19:8)

Now, call me crazy, but to me, the sin which slaps you in the face, reeks more of violence and rape than that of homosexuality.  Think about it…if all the men where homosexuals and were there to satisfy their lust, why would Lot offer them his virgin daughters?  AND what of Lot offering up his daughters!  How much more deprived or evil can one be than to hand your daughters over to not one man but ALL the men of the city to be raped!

May I suggest there are multiple evil sins running rampant within the streets of Sodom and Gomorrah, so why only focus on homosexuality?  Men rape men today in times of war as a means  proving their dominance not their desire of homosexuality.  It is considered the spoils of war…and their right to demean the enemy…even to the point of calling them women or pussies, if you will.

Anyway…back to “Jeff” shaking off the dust of his feet.  He arrogantly assumed himself to be doing the “christian thing” that he himself was dutifully following the very command of Jesus Christ.

Why does he presume this?

Well, in three of the four gospels, Jesus gathers his disciples and sends them out by twos and tells them to, “Go to the lost, confused people… Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.”

After giving this command, Jesus further tells them, “if any community will not receive and accept and welcome you, and they refuse to listen to you, when you depart, shake off the dust that is on your feet, for a testimony against them. Truly, I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the judgment day than for that town.” (Mark 6:11, AMP)

Three times, in three gospels, Jesus tells them to “shake the dust off of your feet” for these three reasons…

…if they will not receive, accept and welcome… (Matthew 10:14 AMP)

…if they will not receive, accept and welcome.… (Mark 6:11 AMP)

…if they will not receive, accept and welcome… (Luke 9:5 AMP)

Almost 600 years before the birth of Christ the prophet Ezekiel writes, “The sin of your sister Sodom was this: She lived with her daughters in the lap of luxury—proud, gluttonous, and lazy.  They ignored the oppressed and the poor. They put on airs and lived obscene lives. And you know what happened: I did away with them.”  (Ezekiel 16:49)  In reference to this Joyce Meyer writes, “Sodom and Gomorrah are usually known for their sexual sin, but we see in Ezekiel 16:49 that God actually considered other sins to be the root of all their problems.”

Did immorality (homosexual AND heterosexual) run rampant in the streets and alley ways of Sodom and Gomorrah? Without a doubt, as did rape, violence, pride, gluttony, laziness, pedophilia, (Why else would young boys be among the men at Lot’s door?) utter rejection of the poor, the orphans, the oppressed and yes, the stranger.

Which out of all these sins did Jesus reference when he instructed his disciples to shake off the dust?  According to three of the four gospels it was only  “…if they will not receive, accept and welcome…” not because of homosexual desire.

Back to the scene in Corinne’s office, almost ten years ago. Who in that room most clearly resents the Sodomite?   Who in that room is the one who refuses to “receive, accept and welcome?”   Is it the gay person or the christian?

I will say today without apology, we are all Sodomites!

Haven’t we all committed the sin of pride, gluttony, laziness, immorality and violence?  Not a single one of us stand guilt free of shunning the  needy, poor, orphaned, mentally ill, sick, diseased, dirty, smelly, or immigrant.  (Yes, I said immigrant)

I’ve always been taught to be very careful how you judge, for with that same judgement, you will be judged.

Whenever you feel the need to point your finger, remember, your finger always…always points back to you.