We can easily understand that some actions result in people being hurt. Theft and murder are obvious examples. But where there is no victim, why should people not be allowed to do what they want?
This is essentially a non-biblical objection although some might try to justify it on the basis of the so-called “Golden Rule” (Matthew 7:12): We are to do to others what we would have them do to us. That sums up the Law and the prophets.
That clearly prohibits actions that are harmful. We wouldn’t want them done to us so we must not do them to others. But does it prohibit actions that are not harmful? If no one is being hurt – if it is consensual and mutually desired – it is OK. Or so the argument goes
But the Bible says it is an abomination to God! We are not free to disobey a clear instruction of scripture by simply appealing to a particular interpretation of another passage. It is not conceivable that Jesus was proposing the so-called Golden Rule as a way of negating the scriptures. On the contrary, He said that the command He gave summed up the Law and the Prophets. The two are in perfect harmony, not conflict.
We must also examine the assumption that no one is being hurt. If homosexual acts are sinful and practising homosexuals will not enter the Kingdom of God, then people who engage in them are hurting both themselves and the other person in the most damaging way imaginable.
Furthermore, if people are persuaded to engage in homosexual acts – for example, if young people uncertain about their sexuality are introduced to homosexual sex by others – then they are being led into sin and therefore their eternal salvation is threatened. Jesus had the harshest words for those who lead others into sin.
Luke 17:1-3a
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied round their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves.
Indeed, the parallel passage in Matthew (18:6-7) is followed by the words:
Matthew 18:8-9
8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Jesus is not teaching literal self-mutilation. He uses hyperbole to stress the eternal importance of avoiding sin. It truly would be better to enter life with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two. Drastic action must be taken to avoid sin. The consequences are too dire for anything else.
Wilfully sinning and leading others into sin is hardly victimless.