This week we read the book of Ruth
from a bisexual point of view. Celia Duncan, discussed the idea, that for her
Ruth and Naomi were in a committed lesbian relationship and when Ruth meet and
married Boaz, the three of them created a committed Bisexual relationship (they
were committed and loved each other). I can see where Duncan might be coming
from, Ruth was certainly committed to Naomi, and bisexuals and lesbians and
perhaps gays should question the heterosexual reading of this text, as well as
other texts found in the Bible. However, I take some issue with Ruth and Naomi
being in a sexual relationship. Isn’t it possible Ruth just felt deeply
connected to Naomi, or perhaps deeply in love wither husband. Maybe Ruth loved
the Israeli life style and wanted to continue living it, just like when in
modern society when one person in a relationship converts for the other person.
The first person loves their partner so much that they want to convert. Also,
isn’t possible that Ruth felt a specific duty towards Naomi? As we have already
discussed, ancient times were highly patriarchal and women were essentially
sold to their husbands, perhaps Ruth felt as if she owed Naomi her life. Whatever
it may be I hardly find Ruth to be sexually attracted to Naomi. I do understand
however that Ruth held some form of deep commitment to her mother in law.
Ruth and Naomi’s relationship also
made me think about love. Personally, I believe that there are many types of
love. You can love your mom (or in this case mother in law) and your husband
(or in this case your Boaz) at the same time. The love that you have for these
people is perhaps not romantic at all, perhaps it is entirely different. I
personally do not know anyone that has a romantic sexual type of love with
their own mother. I also do not know anyone that loves their partner in the
same way they love their mom. A person can love many people, in many ways it is
not always romantic. I believe that Ruth loved both Naomi and Boaz at the same
time, I am just not sure that either relationship was really romantic (yes Ruth
had sexual relations with Boaz, but I do not think that that counts as romantic
love that is simply sex).
So, there are many different types
of love. A person will experience many different types of love in their
lifetime, and all of them are beautiful and wonderful in their own special way.
It is important to embrace the loving relationships that we find ourselves in
and it is important to love and allow ourselves to be loved. Love, is also
important for all types of people, whether they find romantic love with people
of the same gender as them or they do not.
PS tell someone that you love them
today J
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