Page 165 - Push Back

essence of love is sacrificial giving and concern for others. Ezekiel states that the inhabitants of
Sodom did NOT help the poor and the needy. They were consumed with self-love. This is a
distortion of the inner character of a mature man in the image and likeness of God. Yahweh
created mankind to be selfless givers, loving, compassionate, and quick to assist the poor and the
needy. The residents of Sodom acted like pleasure gluttons. They had wealth, abundance of food,
and fulness of pride. In their self-focus, they became haughty and began to commit abominations,
while growing callous to the welfare of others. They began to treat visitors to their city as objects
of lust. When their transgression became full, they were so estranged from the natural love of
God which manifests as care for one’s neighbor that they sought to abuse, assault, and violate
visitors to their city.

Those familiar with the tale of Narcissus recognize it as a homosexual tale. Greek men were
known for their widespread homosexual behavior. Adult men particularly preyed upon young
boys. The story of Narcissus was intended as a lesson to young boys who would spurn the
advances of older homosexual men. As the fable goes, a young man named Narcissus repeatedly
spurns the male suitors that come to him. One of these men is Ameinias, who commits suicide,
after having his sexual advances rejected by Narcissus. Before he dies, Ameinias entreats
Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution, to punish Narcissus, causing him to know the pain of
unrequited love.

In answer to the prayer of Ameinias, Nemesis causes Narcissus to fall in love with his own
reflection in a pool of water. Narcissus tries to seduce the young man he sees in the reflection of
the water, only realizing that it is his own image when he tries to kiss the image he sees.

As myths go, this Greek fable contains some seeds of truth that are profound. In the story we see
linked together the themes of self-love and homosexuality. We also find suicide as an integral
part of the tale. As has been shared earlier in this series, suicide occurs at a much greater rate
among homosexuals than heterosexuals. Suicide is linked to depression, and one common cause
for depression is an inordinate attention upon self. Many people become despondent when they
believe their life is unsatisfactory. When happiness, or some passion or desire of the soul is
denied them, they become morose, and this leads some, like Ameinias, to suicide.

One other aspect of this tale, is how selfishness manifests in an absence of concern for others.
Ameinias claimed to love Narcissus, yet he prayed that Narcissus might be cursed. The Greeks,
as do people today, have confused passion with love. Love seeks the welfare of others. Love does
no harm to a neighbor. Love is not easily provoked. Love keeps no record of wrongs done. Love
does not seek its own. There is a great difference between lust and love. Ameinias lusted after
Narcissus, and lust is also found at the roots of homosexuality today.

The attitude of the citizens of Sodom, and the attitudes expressed in the tale of Narcissus, are
found among practicing homosexuals today. There is tremendous selfishness among
homosexuals, and an absence of love and concern for others.

In an earlier post in this series I reported that homosexuals are seeking to coerce Christian
business owners to violate their conscience. They are attempting to force Christians to embrace