No. I would say in most of rural America prior to A.D. 1970.
James Dickey, who was older, and had a more rural upbringing than Paterno, was well aware of the concept in A.D. 1970 when he published Deliverance.
Was that before biblical times?
No. I would say in most of rural America prior to A.D. 1970.
Oh give me a break! Just because it wasn't discussed around the dinner table or polite company doesn't mean good people did not know what sodomy was or discuss it at all. Rural America is for the most part well educated and well versed in scripture.
But even considering the taboo nature of such discussions among family and friends, the case here is that Paterno's assertion of ignorance regarding sodomy is beyond the realm of believable. He had a very good academic education, religious formation, and was immersed in the world outside of the ivory towers. To think he was so naive is to accept that Obama never heard Rev. Wright's racist sermons.
He did know what was going on and chose to notify the administration, NOT the police, and chose to continue a working relationship with a child rapist.
If he did not believe the allegations, he should have taken action against the assistant coach who defamed someone Paterno thought was a good man.