Within Reason #106 Diarmaid MacCulloch - Sex and Christianity: a Tumultuous History
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May 29, 2025 
Diarmaid MacCulloch is a renowned historian and fellow of St Cross College, Oxford, specializing in the history of Christianity. He discusses the historical roots of marriage, emphasizing its origins as a contractual arrangement over romantic ideals. MacCulloch sheds light on evolving interpretations of biblical narratives around sexuality, including homosexuality and the story of Sodom. He critiques media biases influencing public perceptions and explores shifts within the Catholic Church's stance on progressive issues like same-sex unions, providing a thought-provoking look at sex and Christianity.
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Ancient Texts Address Unequal Sex
- The biblical condemnation often cited against homosexuality primarily targets unequal, non-consensual relationships.
- Modern notions of consensual, equal same-sex relationships are not addressed in scripture.
Medieval Sodomite Massacre Legend
- A medieval story claims Jesus refused to save the earth on Christmas Eve due to sodomites.
- God then massacred all sodomites to allow Jesus's birth, reflecting historical discomfort with lack of biblical condemnation.
Anti-Sodomy Laws Emerge Historically
- Strong opposition to same-sex relations developed in Christianity largely from Judaic traditions filtered through Greek philosophy.
- The West especially reinforced this in the 11th and 12th centuries, linking sexuality with priestly purity.
