The Bible and the Same-Sex Marriage Question

   I oppose same-sex marriage because of what I find on page 173 of my Bible. "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination" (Leviticus 18:22).
   And, 1 Corinthians 11:11 seems enough for me, when wondering if same-sex relations are right. "Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord."
   Then, turn back to the beginning of the Bible, where it tells how God noted it was not good for man to be alone, so woman was created (Genesis 2:18-24). God provided not another man, but a woman, that the man should not be alone. A man and a woman are needed for procreation, but this is not the reason God gives at this time for the creation of woman. Rather, he gives compansionship as the reason.
   Among other scriptures often quoted suggesting same-sex relations are wrong in the sight of God:

• Genesis 19:1-11. When certain men wanted to bed with other men, Lot replied (verse 9), "I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly."
• Romans 1:26-27. "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet."
• 1 Corinthians 6:9. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind." Effeminate means having the qualities or characteristics more often associated with women, than men. And, as used in this scripture, seems to indicate those who take on the sexual attractions of women will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• 1 Timothy 1:9-10. "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murders of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, . . . " I consider that "them that defile themselves with mankind" might be a reference to those who practice same-sex sexual activity.

   Those of same-sex attraction can be wonderful people, same as can anyone else. I do not believe their practice of same-sex sexual activity is right, just the same. I cannot, while reading the Bible.