So I was doing some reading on apocryphal early christian texts, and it made reflect on the possible doctrinal implications that some of these making it into the Biblical canon could have had in the Christian world's perception of the sinfulness of certain acts, and by extension, that of some aspects of human nature and morality.
The Apocalypse of Peter, in particular, has the peculiarity of explicitly mentioning "women who lay with one another as a man with a woman" sharing the exact same torment side by side with male homosexuals (being repeatedly thrown off a cliff for all eternity, in case you were wondering). It also depicts adulterers of both genders enduring pretty much equivalent punishment, and in that it makes a pretty clear divergence from the traditional Jewish stance in the matter.
All of these made me consider, would it be possible that, despite the obvious unpleasantness that it would bring to female homosexuals, is it posible, or even probable, that having this book as part of the canon might have affected early Christian thought in such a way that could had had a, in the long term, positive (from a OTL modern perspective, ofcourse) effects in the way female sexuality is percieved in the western world during the ALT middle ages and modern era.
Quite simply, it would go like this: "The bible clearly states that a woman who lays with another as a man does with a woman will recieve the same punishment in eternity as the the man who lies with another man, thus, by the perfect judgment of the Lord, both are equally sinful"
From that we can concievably get: "The sexual act of a man is equal to that of a woman: were it not so, the perfect judgment of the Lord would not deem those who misuse it as decerving of the same punishment". The main point would be that women could be percieved as subject of sexual desire and agency, rather thn just object of men's sexual desires (this is only concerning sex).
Now, I don't think this would bring a significative change in societal gender roles, but it could bring about some where marriage and views of chastiy are concerned. I'm thinking something like the early Roman Republic. Also, knowing for sure that the clitoris is a thing and where it is would be great.
So, what are your thoughts?
The Apocalypse of Peter, in particular, has the peculiarity of explicitly mentioning "women who lay with one another as a man with a woman" sharing the exact same torment side by side with male homosexuals (being repeatedly thrown off a cliff for all eternity, in case you were wondering). It also depicts adulterers of both genders enduring pretty much equivalent punishment, and in that it makes a pretty clear divergence from the traditional Jewish stance in the matter.
All of these made me consider, would it be possible that, despite the obvious unpleasantness that it would bring to female homosexuals, is it posible, or even probable, that having this book as part of the canon might have affected early Christian thought in such a way that could had had a, in the long term, positive (from a OTL modern perspective, ofcourse) effects in the way female sexuality is percieved in the western world during the ALT middle ages and modern era.
Quite simply, it would go like this: "The bible clearly states that a woman who lays with another as a man does with a woman will recieve the same punishment in eternity as the the man who lies with another man, thus, by the perfect judgment of the Lord, both are equally sinful"
From that we can concievably get: "The sexual act of a man is equal to that of a woman: were it not so, the perfect judgment of the Lord would not deem those who misuse it as decerving of the same punishment". The main point would be that women could be percieved as subject of sexual desire and agency, rather thn just object of men's sexual desires (this is only concerning sex).
Now, I don't think this would bring a significative change in societal gender roles, but it could bring about some where marriage and views of chastiy are concerned. I'm thinking something like the early Roman Republic. Also, knowing for sure that the clitoris is a thing and where it is would be great.
So, what are your thoughts?