The word that has been translated to "homosexual" in this verse is a highly contested word and likely refers to the practice of owning male sex slaves. This was covered in the OP.
Which makes more sense. That practice is actually harmful to another person.
It's only highly contested by those who had already supported same sex marriages and same sex acts, and then looked for support in the Bible. Otherwise, it's actually a fairly straightforward compound word that means "male-bed" or "male-lie with," which is for a male to lie with a male. Compound words don't always mean what the two words together show, but sometimes they do, especially if it's the first time the word is used; it's rather the whole point of coining such a word, as Paul does in 1 Cor 6:9.
In the NT, adultery, incest, fornication, prostitution, and (presumably) bestiality are sins. Any sex that was not within the bounds of marriage--only ever defined as one man and one woman--was sexual immorality. It stands to reason then, that since homosexual acts were sin in the OT (Lev 18:22, 20:13), that they are still sin in the NT; and the verses which mention homosexuality in the NT actually mean just same sex acts, without any reference to male sex slaves, rape, pederasty, or sexual rites as a part of idol worship.
Note that Romans 1:26 also mentions lesbianism--"women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature" (ESV), right before mentioning male homosexual acts in the next verse. And, as mentioned previously, the context shows that that was the punishment for idolatry, long ago--God gave them over to the passions that were already in their hearts.
Being gay and even practicing gay hurts no one.
Paul says that every sin a person commits is outside his or her own body, except for sexual sin:
1Co 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (ESV)
At the very least, sexual sin, including same sex acts, hurts oneself.
The belief I used to hold was that gay people are called to lifelong celibacy. While I support and admire those who hold to this still, I don't think it's healthy in the long run. The Bible even says that marriage is better than burning with passion.
But marriage in the Bible
presupposes one man and one woman, which certainly excludes every other type of relationship. If one dwells on sex too much or what they're missing out on or makes their sexuality their identity, then yes, they will burn with passion and
that won't be healthy for them. However, if instead they dwell on Christ and the cross and seek him continually, all things sex become a non-issue. Christ must be the highest source of joy and fulfillment for everyone, and he will sustain them. That's what every believer is called to.
️ should not affirm those unions..,
