Ever play the "Telephone Game" as a child?? This could explain many parts of the Bible, IMO. Monks were the ones who transcribed the scriptures before printing presses, and it is thought that some could have exercised editorial license to suit their own agenda. Just another theory.
Just because there are lots of really good thoughts in this thread, I thought I'd throw in my (unsolicited) opinion. Hope not to offend anyone - I'm a Christian liberal, so I straddle both sides of the fence. :biggrin9gp:
I think the quote above could even be explained further. I am Christian; it was my intention to be a minister for a while. During studies with my pastor, however, we came back to the topic time and again that much of the Bible is
allegory - there are stories told (amongst fact) to illustrate God's greatness and omnipresence. The tale of Adam & Eve is a perfect example - it is an allegory for God taking a piece of man and a piece of woman to perpetuate the human race. The Bible says God created us in 6 days - where does it say how long each of His days lasted, or how he did it? On the flip side - what caused the Big Bang? It is true that The Bible was handed down through oral tradition for centuries; however, what remains is clearly God's will - we are simply left to interpret.
All of that being said... I personally believe it is not my place (or any other mortal's - including the government's) to decide who can love and who can't. The greatest thing Jesus teaches is to turn the other cheek. As people have said, "Judge not lest ye be judged". I have many friends who are homosexual, but I don't think that this is "wrong" of me - Jesus revealed Himself to a prostitute after His resurrection. He was forgiving and loving, regardless of people's current beliefs or their pasts, and He expects us to be the same. If someone is a contributing member of society, paying the same taxes and doing the same civic duties that I am, I personally believe it is their right to have the same rights afforded to them that I have to me - it is their right/choice to develop their relationship with God.
Yes, marriage is an institution closely tied to the church; however, it is dangerous to only afford that right through the church. In addition to banning gay marriage, do we also ban marriages for people of all other religions than the one we believe to be right? Do we convert them to our own beliefs? We don't even have proof as a society that homosexuality isn't a natural condition - are we going to deny people rights based off of something that isn't their fault? Do they get their own water fountains? This is a very overdramatic example (and I apologize), but I just wanted to illustrate that it is something of a slippery slope.