The Prodigal Sheep

The scriptures most relevant in my mind as pointing to a proper understanding of what was so sinful about Sodom, are the following.

The prophet Isaiah, concerning the leaders of the nation:

Jerusalem staggers,
   Judah is falling;
   their words and deeds are against the LORD,
   defying his glorious presence.

The look on their faces testifies against them;
   they parade their sin like Sodom;
   they do not hide it.
   Woe to them!
   They have brought disaster upon themselves...

The LORD enters into judgment
   against the elders and leaders of his people:
   ”It is you who have ruined my vineyard;
   the plunder from the poor is in your houses.

What do you mean by crushing my people
   and grinding the faces of the poor?“
   declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

(Isaiah 3:8-9,14-15)

The prophet Jeremiah, speaking of the work of false prophets:

And among the prophets of Jerusalem
   I have seen something horrible:
   They commit adultery and live a lie.
   They strengthen the hands of evildoers,
   so that no one turns from his wickedness.
   They are all like Sodom to me;
   the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.

(Jeremiah 23:14)

Ezekiel names the sin of Sodom in black and white terms:

Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me.

(Ezekiel 16:49-50)

Jesus, warning his disciples that many will ignore and reject them:

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

(Matthew 10:14-16)

Jude refers to the fate of Sodom as a parallel for what will happen to false teachers who slip in amongst the faithful:

'Godless men' who 'pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings,' those who 'speak abusively against whatever they do not understand,' 'shepherds who feed only themselves'. 'These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage ... These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.'

(Jude 1)

These and other scriptures point very clearly to the fact that the ancients condemned Sodom for its 'godlessness,' its arrogance and unconcern for the poor and needy. Corrupt religious and politcal leaders were repeatedly compared to Sodom for exhibiting those very characteristics, and for distorting the true teaching about God into a cynical means of manipulating people.

Perhaps sexuality played a part in this sinfulness. If it did, then the nearest parallel I could draw today is to the Roman Catholic hierarchy, which in its own haughtiness and unconcern covered up the sexual abuse of women and children for decades and presumably much longer. It indeed would be better for Sodom on the day of judgment than perhaps for some bishops.

I didn't get much further in this exercise in amateur exegesis, when I ran across an excellent post on the topic in the Jesus Was A Liberal blog. Here are some great excerpts:

[Jesus'] reference to Sodom is that it was a city that was inhospitable to strangers and the poor. In the Jewish tradition - and I do believe the rabbis know more than a thing or two about Hebrew scriptures - the phrase "middat Sdom" has been long used. It translates as acting or thinking like the Sodomites and means lacking charity and hospitality. It means ignoring the needs of the poor, sick, and the widows and orphans. Throughout the Bible, it always has been a moral obligation and duty to help those in need. Indeed, every prophet warned of the indulgences of the leaders and/or people while they ignored the real needs of the poor and downtrodden. Why would the case of Sodom be any different?

... Ezekeiel said the sins of the Sodomites were that they were “arrogant, overfed and unconcerned.” Ezekeiel might as well been talking about a lot of Americans. What else did he say? “They did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things...” According to Ezekeiel, God did in the Sodomites because they were a bunch of fat blowhards who didn’t help the poor while acting like a bunch of sanctimonious blowhards.

I can add that in the Book of Revelation, the imperial capital Rome itself is figuratively called 'Sodom' and 'Egypt' (Revelation 11:8) -- thus the reference is as to a harsh oppressor. In our day 'Sodom' might aptly be used as an epithet for any people, power or authority that mistreats the poor and powerless.

Anyone looking for a more detailed explanation of the Genesis story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of issues concerning homosexuality and the Bible in general, should look here and here.