Deuteronomy 23:1, KJV-
He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
Some controversy surrounds translation/interpretation of this passage.
As I was taught, there was a restriction on men who could become priests during the Old Testament Era. One had to be perfect (or at least, have no deformities nor disabilities) to enter into the inner sanctum of the temple and/or be a priest. Only the highest priests could go into these areas. Thus the interpretation of "congregation of the Lord".
One can also apply this to belief in the Byzantine Empire, with the Emperor closest to God, or as some believed, almost like "God in the flesh." No one with a deformity could be Emperor. It was common practice when an Emperor was overthrown to have him mutilated in some way to prevent him (or his sons) from reclaiming the throne. Castration and blinding were the most common. St. Ignatius, one of the more well known, was castrated at the age of 13/14 and sent to be raised in a monastery when his father Michael (?) was overthrown, thus making it impossible for the boy to challenge the new Emperor later on.
But back to the passage in question...
Is this saying that eunuchs cannot go to church?
Is this saying that eunuchs go to hell?
No.
There are several more passages in the Bible that state just the opposite:
Isaiah 56, 3-5, KVJ:
3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Also, keep in mind two other big ones - Daniel was, as I interpret it based upon historical fact as well, HIGHLY favored of God. He was also a boy-eunuch.
Then, later, one of the more famous baptisms recorded in the New Testament, the baptism of the Eunuch of the Court of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. I think I got that right...yep:
Acts 8:27 (
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?bo ... text=verse)
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Acts 8:26-28 (
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?bo ... xt=context) (in Context) Acts 8 (
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?bo ... xt=chapter) (Whole Chapter)
Those are just a few examples. Interpret the Bible as you will, based upon your own beliefs. Bible verses can be searched out by keyword here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/