From: larryc@teleport.com (Larry Caldwell)
Newsgroups: alt.christnet,alt.parents-teens,alt.2600,rec.nude,soc.motss,alt.personals.bi,alt.magick,alt.satanism,alt.pagan,soc.history
Subject: Re: Is it ok with god if I am gay? Some more Truth
Date: 18 Feb 1996 00:58:43 -0800

In article <4g11vh$dfa@newsbf02.news.aol.com>,
breelyn@aol.com (BREELYN) wrote:

> 2.    This whole "Is it ok with god if I am gay" issue has been
> circulating on here for weeks.  

The issue is certainly not a new one in the church.  Here is an excerpt
from a letter from Clement of Alexandria (150-215 ce.) dealing with 
exactly that topic:

   "As for Mark, then, during Peter's stay in Rome he wrote and account of 
the Lord's doings, not, however, declaring all of them, nor yet hinting 
at the secret ones, but selecting what he thought most useful for increasing 
the faith of those who were being instructed.  But when Peter died a martyr, 
Mark came over to Alexandria, bringing both his own notes and those of Peter, 
from which he transferred to his former book the things suitable to whatever 
makes for progress toward knowledge.  Thus he composed a more spiritual 
Gospel for the use of those who were being perfected.  Nevertheless, he yet 
did not divulge the things not to be uttered, nor did he write down the 
hierophantic teaching of the Lord, but to the stories already written he 
added yet others and, moreover, brought in certain sayings of which he knew 
the interpretations would, as a mystagogue, lead the hearers into the 
innermost sanctuary of that truth hidden by seven veils.  Thus, in sum, he 
prepared matters, neither grudgingly nor incautiously, in my opinion, and, 
dying, he left his composition to the church in 1, verso Alexandria, where 
it even yet is most carefully guarded, being read only to those who are 
being initiated into the great mysteries."

[much deleted]

" ... The secret Gospel brings the following material word for word: 'And 
they come into Bethany.  And a certain woman whose brother had died was 
there.  And, coming, she prostrated herself before Jesus and says to him, 
"Son of David, have mercy on me."  but the disciples rebuked her.  And 
Jesus, being angered, went off with her into the garden where the tomb was, 
and straghtway a great cry was heard from the tomb.  And going near, Jesus 
rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb.  And straghtway, going in 
where the youth was, he stretched forth his hand and raised him, seizing 
his hand.  but the youth, looking upon him, loved him and began to beseech 
him that he might be with him.  And going out of the tomb they came into 
the house of the youth, for he was rich.  And after six days Jesus told 
him what to do and in the evening the youth comes to him, wearing a linen 
cloth over his naked body.  And he remained with him that night, for Jesus 
taught him the mystery of the Kingdom of God.  And thence, arising, he 
returned to the other side of the Jordan.'

    "After these words follows the text, 'And James and John come to him,'
and all that section.  But 'naked man with naked man,' and other things
about which you wrote are not found."

                  from "The Secret Gospel of Mark" in _The Other Bible_
                  Willis Barnstone, HarperSanFrancisco 1984
                  ISBN 0-06-250030-9

There was a general belief in the early years of the christian era that
Jesus and his disciples were a roaming band of homosexuals.  This would have
been natural in the remnants of Alexander's empire, but anathema to the
Jews.  Since at least one Zealot was a disciple, this is unlikely.  However,
some rites of the inner circle seem to have involved breaking the homosexual
tabboo.  In some areas this got out of control, and some branches of the
early church were vigorously homosexual.

Some of the early writings, like "The Secret Gospel of Mark" have been lost,
but the surviving writings show that the controversy was both heated and 
prolonged.

-- Larry